Five traditional Indian folk art styles have merged with Kolkata’s cityscape to transform the streets into an expansive open-air gallery this festive season. Artists from various Indian states painted Kolkata in their own style. My Kolkata takes a tour around the city to check out the canvases.
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All images by Amit Datta and Soumyajit Dey
In Hatibagan, the geometric precision of Bihar’s Madhubani art reimagines the neighbourhood with bright yellow Ambassador taxis, electric trams, and bustling carnival wheels framed by intricate floral borders.
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Artist Diwakar Jha, from Bihar, said, “I have visited Kolkata multiple times, and through this artwork, I tried to capture the essence of the city before festivals. So you will see people shopping, riding the yellow taxi, and enjoying the festive season.”
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At Dumdum Park, Madhya Pradesh’s Gond painters bring vibrant backdrops to life, capturing artisans erecting bamboo pandals alongside traditional drummers and sacred trees.
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Ramkrishna Dhurve, a Gond artist from Madhya Pradesh, said, “Bright, vibrant colours and intricate detailing are the defining features of our Gond art. When I entered Kolkata, I noticed that pandals were coming up everywhere. So I thought, if I’m going to create a painting on the city’s culture, what better subject could there be? So, I chose to paint a pandal.”
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Heading south to 66 Pally near Kalighat, Maharashtra’s Warli tradition renders street scenes in crisp white geometry. Hand-drawn trams, public buses, and folk dancers weave together to celebrate the rhythm of everyday Kolkata life.
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Anil Chaitya Vangad, a Warli artist from Maharashtra, explained, “Warli painting is usually something we make based on our own lives — like our daily lifestyle. But here in this painting, I've created it based on the lifestyle of Kolkata — how they prepare for their festivals and daily life.”
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At Hindustan Park, indigenous artists from Raghurajpur showcase Odisha Pattachitra, populating festive bazaars with detailed figures purchasing sweets and flower garlands beneath decorated arches.
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Tanmoy Mahapatra, Patachitra artist, Raghurajpur, Odisha, said, “The painting depicts the atmosphere during a festival, when people step out to buy something nice for their homes or for themselves. We’ve shown how people come to the markets and shop when there is a celebration.”
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Meanwhile, near Behala Nutun Dal, Bengal’s Pingla Pattachitra scroll tradition creates an intimate home interior, with musicians playing stringed instruments and families gathered over tea.
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Bappa Chitrakar, Bengal Patachitra artist, Paschim Midnapore, said, “The style of the painting is Bengal’s Patachitra, but the theme is evening adda. The art portrays evening adda in a family.”
The artistic integration comes together under the “ART চালা” initiative by Antiquity Discoveries in collaboration with The Plated Project.