Kalighat painters
Kalpa Vriksha
Kalam Patua
Born 1962, Rampurhat, West Bengal, India
Lives and works in Rampurhat
Kalam Patua is a contemporary exponent of Kalighat painting. He was born into the Patua community of scroll painters and storytellers and subsequently taught himself the Kalighat style, which draws on conventions from West Bengal scroll paintings and Indian miniature painting. Kalighat painting developed in the vicinity of the Kali temple in Kolkata in the mid nineteenth century and departs from the linear, narrative style of the scrolls to focus on single scenes, with graphic, simplified forms and often satirical, contemporary content. Patua's watercolours include elements of autobiography and myth, and reflect on social issues or current news events. This has included the changing nature of Indian society, dowry deaths, or violence against women, but also light, humorous works such as a series about working in the postal system, or depicting crowds that gather at art gallery openings.
![Kalam Patua / Rampurhat, West Bengal, India b.1962 / Autobiography – Local train 2012 A watercolour painting of Indian people travelling on a train; an attendant offers snacks.](/system/files/styles/wide/private/object-images/KALIGHAT_PATUA.jpg?itok=2nocemR6)
![Kalam Patua Artwork Autobiography this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.011_001_4.jpg?itok=dLRKwM4y)
Autobiography 2012
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator
![Kalam Patua Artwork Autobiography – Local train this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.008_001_3.jpg?itok=L8JtvVqn)
Autobiography – Local train 2012
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator
![Kalam Patua Artwork Beyond reach this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.009_001_3.jpg?itok=vE7MMG7j)
Beyond reach 2012
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator
![Kalam Patua Artwork Nirbhaya this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2015-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.015_001_3.jpg?itok=QgXoyQUX)
Nirbhaya 2015
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator
![Kalam Patua Artwork Photo this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.010_001_3.jpg?itok=K1Q7LJC-)
Photo 2012
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator
![Kalam Patua Artwork Post office 2 this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2013-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.013_001_4.jpg?itok=UYIhN6oV)
Post office 2 2013
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator
![Kalam Patua Artwork Restaurant this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2015-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.012_001_3.jpg?itok=YtWOzXoR)
Restaurant 2015
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator
![Kalam Patua Artwork Snake charmer this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.005_001_3.jpg?itok=WgN4DIs8)
Snake charmer 2012
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator
![Kalam Patua Artwork Untitled 15 this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.004_001_3.jpg?itok=ofn_kZl-)
Untitled 15 2012
- PATUA, Kalam - Creator