Description
Kalighat paintings have participated in the emergence of Bengali identity in the colonial capital, in the face of increasing Europeanization of the city’s intellectual and cultural life. The striking Kalighat Horse has been recomposed with intermingling motifs in a classical style and vibrant colour palettes. They are available in both large and small sizes that make beautiful scarves, neckerchiefs and pocket squares. You may also love to frame them as an artwork that adorn your walls.
Kalighat paintings originated in the 19th century Bengal, in the vicinity of Kali Temple in Kalighat, Kolkata, India. They were items of souvenir taken by pilgrims and travellers who visited the Kali temple. The paintings over a period of time developed into a distinct school of Indian painting. From the depiction of Hindu gods, goddesses, and other mythological characters, the Kalighat paintings developed to reflect a variety of themes with changing times. Kalighat paintings became very popular and were carried back as mementoes to Britain, Russia, Czechoslovakia, France, and the United States. Many world-renowned, modern Indian artists like Jamini Roy’s inventive style was derived from the Kalighat paintings consisting of lively, bold and sweeping brush strokes in spite of being trained in classical European painting style.
House of Gharats Limited Edition Silk Scarf Collection is the perfect opportunity to indulge in wearing and gifting a piece of art. This makes for a perfect dark red scarf ‘His & Her’ gift set. The collection is a custom illustrated artwork made with the finest silk twill in Italy.
Scroll down to read more about our inspirations and the artwork…
SIZE: 140×140 cm ; 90×90 cm
Inspired by the lost art of Kalighat of 19th century Kolkata.
Inspiration
Kalighat paintings have participated in the emergence of Bengali identity in the colonial capital, in the face of increasing Europeanization of the city’s intellectual and cultural life.
Kalighat Horse
The striking Kalighat Horse has been recomposed with intermingling motifs in a classical style and vibrant colour palettes.
Feel Naughty
We have illustrated fifty naughty, hmm, knotty ways for you to tie the knot and create your style. Click here
All Wrapped Up
Your silk scarf will arrive in a delightful gift box with a story card, which makes it convenient to gift and store beautifully.
This collection is a custom illustrated artwork made with the finest silk twill in Italy.
The Kalighat paintings are an evolution of ‘Patachitra’ a visual storytelling style that takes the form of painted scrolls, depicting sequential scenes from stories, legends and myths, perfectly portrayed in this dark red scarf. The origins of this ancient folk art are unclear and there are two main theories behind their beginnings. Historians believe the art form stems from tribal beginnings and others believe that Patachitra began under the Mauryan Empire, from 322-185BC. Patachitra subjects began with religion and folklore, nowadays the paintings depict contemporary events like terrorist attacks, tsunamis and earthquakes. Whilst the traditional style of the Patachitra has remained constant for thousands of years, the depicted subjects have seen a shift with the passage of time.
Kalighat paintings have participated in the emergence of Bengali identity in the colonial capital in the face of the increasing Europeanization of the city’s intellectual and cultural life. During this period, the British were altering their position from merchants vulnerable to the grace and protection of Indian sovereigns to monarchs of the territory. Anthropologist Milton Singer’s term “cosmopolitan folk culture” aptly describes these paintings.
The market for Kalighat paintings expanded rapidly through the 19th century to include not just Hindu villagers coming to the urban metropolis but also resident bankers and merchants from the region of Marwar in Rajasthan in western India, English administrators, and European missionaries and travellers. Kalighat paintings were carried back as mementoes to Britain, Russia, Czechoslovakia, France, and the United States. English scholars and cultural figureheads in India including Sir Monier Monier-Williams and Lockwood Kipling amassed vast personal collections, which are now housed in the Bodleian Library and Victoria and Albert Museum respectively.
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