art and crafts of west bengal

7/27/2019 Art and Crafts of West Bengal

1/18

Art and craftsof West Bengal


2/18

Alpana Floor Drawings

These drawings are relatedto ancient magic cults.

These drawings are alsoused for decorativepurpose, in the moderntimes. Alpana is a ritualisticdrawing made on the floor

during a festive or religiousoccasion. This custom ispracticed by the women ofWest Bengal.


3/18

Dolls These are used by children

and for decorative purposesand made with small cloth,

cotton & wool. Root from aJapanese influence, this crafthas lately gained immensepopularity in Bengal. Thesedolls are known as RAGDOLLS.

Clay Dolls are also made inBengal. These dolls areunique in their realism andhave the quality in their finish.


4/18

Chikankari Embroidery In West

Bengal, Chikankari is anembroidery work which

is practiced. It is done byusing white cottonthread on fine whitemuslin. fabric. A varietyof silk, called moga, isused for outlining theembroidered portions tocreate an enhancedeffect. The designs ofChikankari Embroideryare very delicate


5/18


6/18


7/18

Masks In Bengal, masks actually represent

the theatrical tradition are used by

the Chhou dancers of Purulia and

those who perform the Gambhiradances of Malda. The masks

generally made here are of

mythological character and the

material used is paper mache

painted in bright colours. TodayMasks are more popular as items of

interior decoration.


8/18

Kalighat Paintings The name Kalighat comes from the place where the artists

originally set up their practice, around Kalighat Temple inKolkata on the banks of the Hooghly.

Kalighat Paintings is a typical style of watercolor on paper,which has its roots in cultural upheavals of 19th centurycolonial Bengal. The painting helps us understand the

mode of life at the time of its design and immortalize eventswhich would otherwise be lost to future generations. Thispeculiar type of painting is followed by the artists belongingto the Patua community.

The paintings shows scenes from Hindu mythologies, in thebeginning and were later replaced by themes showing theBritish rule in India. Nowadays, the artists use both religious

themes and social themes. Images of birds, animals, snakesand fishes are also found in the paintings.


9/18


10/18

Pottery In various colors such as

red, orange, brown, blackand cream, Handmadepottery mainly consisted ofdifferent types of bowls,

jars, vessels, etc. Hand-

modeled Pottery is mainlya woman's art in WestBengal. Variety of dolls andtoys are made by Womenof Patua caste. Hand-modeled pottery is madeexclusively by women inBishnupur, Murshidabadand some other places inMidnapore.


11/18


12/18


13/18


14/18

Tangail SareeTangail Saree contains tinyrepeating patterns, giving

the feel of an embroiderywork. Borders of this sareeare adorned with designsdepicting temples and the

patterns seen on therudraksha.The silksareefeatures dark shades and ismostly preferred duringspecial occasions.


15/18

Tussar Embroidery Sarees

The Bengali Tussar Embroidery

Sarees are specially handspunto contain a crisp pebbly

texture on the surface. These

sarees are not artificially

colored. The embroidery is

done using a particular stitchcalled the kantha, which is a

kind of running stitch.


16/18

Tussar Brocade SareesThe Tussar brocade sarees feature heavy

ornamental designs. The pallu (fallingedge of the saree) features complex

jacquard designs.The fibers are of finenature, colored in dyes extracted fromnatural materials used in this saree . This

saree is light and comfortable to wear.


17/18

Tant SareesTant sarees come in a wide range of stylesand colors. They feature broad silk-

embroidered borders.Theirpallu (fallingedge of the saree) is embellished withdelicate embroidery. They are ideal as acasual wear.


18/18

Nilambari SareeThe word nilambari literally means blue

sky referring to the saree's deep navy-bluecolor. The pallu (the falling edge of thesaree) is decorated with stripes of varyingthickness

art and crafts of west bengal

Documents