Speaking with Pictures

‘This insightful, well-structured and beautifully presented account is a vital addition to the literature of cultural production in India… The book is deeply researched, is a major resource and provides vivid and theoretically compelling access to a world, not quite in flux… It will be of considerable interest to all anthropologists of art.’ —Christopher Pinney, Contributions to Indian Sociology Speaking with Pictures offers a path-breaking exploration of visual narratives in folk art. It foregrounds folk art’s engagement with modernity by relooking at its figurative modes and the ways in which they are embedded in mythic thought. The book discusses folk art as a contemporary phenomenon which is a part of a complex visual culture where the ‘essence’ of tradition is best captured in a ‘new’ form or medium. Each chapter picks up a theme that moves between the local and the global, thereby attempting to problematise the stereotypical view of folk artists as carriers of ‘timeless tradition’. The volume provides an ethnographic account of innovations through a detailed analysis of the scroll painting tradition of the patuas of West Bengal and the Pardhan-Gond style of Madhya Pradesh, highlighting some recent attempts at inter-medium exchange in storytelling. The book will interest those in visual and popular culture in anthropology, sociology, literary criticism and folklore. It will also be of immense value to art historians, museologists, curators and NGOs working in media and communication, as well as those with a general interest in folk art. Roma Chatterji is Professor, Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi.

Critical Asian Studies Series Editor: Veena Das Krieger-Eisenhower Professor in Anthropology Johns Hopkins University Critical Asian Studies is devoted to in-depth studies of emergent social and cultural phenomena in the countries of the region. While recognising the important ways in which the specific and often violent histories of the nation-state have influenced the social formations in this region, the books in this series also examine the processes of translation, exchange, boundary crossings in the linked identities and histories of the region. The authors in this series engage with social theory through ethnographically grounded research and archival work. Also in this Series Living with Violence: The Anthropology of Events and Everyday Life Roma Chatterji and Deepak Mehta 978-0-415-43080-7 The Intimate State: Love-Marriage and the Law in Delhi Perveez Mody 978-0-415-44604-4 Settlers, Saints and Sovereigns: An Ethnography of State Formation in Western India Farhana Ibrahim 978-0-415-44556-6 Shared Histories of Modernity: China, India and the Ottoman Empire Editors: Huricihan Islamoglu and Peter Perdue 978-0-415-48166-3 Enchantments of Modernity: Empire, Nation, Globalization Editor: Saurabh Dube 978-0-415-44552-8 Beyond Crisis: Re-evaluating Pakistan Editor: Naveeda Khan 978-0-415-48063-5

Speaking with Pictures Folk Art and the Narrative Tradition in India

ROMA CHATTERJI

LONDON NEW YORK NEW DELHI

Reprint 2019

First South Asia edition 2016 First published in paperback 2016 First published 2012 by Routledge 1 Jai Singh Road, New Delhi 110001, India by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2012, 2016 Roma Chatterji The right of Roma Chatterji to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN: 978-1-138-63984-3 (pbk)

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Contents List of Plates Glossary Foreword Acknowledgements 1. Folk Art: What Kind of Object is it? 2. Global Events and Local Narratives: 9/11 and the Chitrakars

vii xv xix xxv 1 62

3. Words and Images: Storytelling in Gond Art

107

4. Patua Art and the Graphic Novel: An Experiment in Inter-Textual Communication

174

5. Conclusion: Pictures and Myths

248

Appendix I: Adim Juger Manush Appendix II: The Chameleon’s Dreams Appendix III A: The Story of Ramayana Appendix III B: The Abduction of Sita Appendix IV: Sita Harana Bibliography About the Author Index

269 271 273 276 278 281 292 293

List of Plates 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16

Jangarh Singh Shyam, Baradeo. c. 1980s. Acrylic on Board. Collection of Durga Bai Vyam. Belgur, Tiger. c. 1980s. Acrylic on Paper. ©Adivasi Lok Kala Parishad, Bhopal. Rajendra Shyam, Crab before Beheading. 2010. Acrylic on Paper. Author’s Collection. Jado Patia Scroll, frame 1: Sepoy Mutiny. Artist and Date Unknown. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Jado Patia Scroll, frame 2: Manasa, the Snake Goddess. Artist and Date Unknown. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Fishes’ Wedding. Artist Unknown. c. 1990s. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Ajit Kumar Jha, Greeting Card with Fish Motif in Mithila Style. 2006. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. Tagar Chitrakar, Tsunami, frame 1. 2006. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Kala Bai Shyam, Source of the River. 2006. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Binod Chitrakar, Jado Patia Scroll on Santal Origin Myth. c. 1960s. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. Amit Chitrakar, Copy of Santal Origin Myth in Medinipur Pata Style. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Moina Chitrakar, Cat with Fish. Experiment with Gond Style. 2009. Pigment Paint on Paper. Author’s Collection. Kalam Patua, An Artist being Interviewed at an Experimental Art Workshop in Delhi. c. 2006. Water Colour on Paper. Collection of Kalam Patua. Moushumi Chitrakar, Copy of Kalighat Cat. 2010. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Jomuna Chitrakar, Kalighat Cat Revisioned. 2009. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Venkataraman Singh Shyam, Experiments with Cubism. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection.

2 20 22 24 26 27 31 32 33 35 36 39 46 48 49 51

viii F Speaking with Pictures

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20

Tagar Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 1. 2005. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Tagar Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 2. 2005. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Tagar Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 3. 2005. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Tagar Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 4. 2005. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Tagar Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 5. 2005. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Tagar Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 6. 2005. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Probir Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 1. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Probir Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 2. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Rohim Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 1. 2009. Pigment on Paper. Collection Unknown. Yakub Chitrakar, Laden pata, frames 1 and 2. 2006. Pigment on Paper. Collection of Veena Naregal. Manu Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 1. 2005. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Manu Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 4. 2005. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Swarna Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 1. 2006. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Chandan Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 2. 2009. Pigment on Paper. Collection Unknown. Probir Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 3. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Malek Chitrakar, Mini Laden pata, frames 1 and 2. 2006. Pigment on Paper. Collection Unknown. Malek Chitrakar, Mini Laden pata, frame 3. 2006. Pigment on Paper. Collection Unknown. Probir Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 4. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Probir Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 5. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Probir Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 6. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection.

65 66 66 67 67 68 68 69 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 78 80 81 82 83

List of Plates G ix

2.21 Baneshwar Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 3. c. 2002–2003. Pigment on Paper. Collection Unknown. 2.22 Probir Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 7. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 2.23 Jomuna Chitrakar, Satya Pir pata, frame 1. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 2.24 Chandan Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 1. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 2.25 Chandan Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 5. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 2.26 Chandan Chitrakar, Laden pata, frame 6. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 2.27 Joideb Chitrakar, Laden pata, penultimate frame. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Collection Unknown. 2.28 Tagar Chitrakar, Tsunami pata, last frame. 2006. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Kala Bai Shyam, Forest Scene. c. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Collection Unknown. 3.2 Anand Singh Shyam, Deer. 2010. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.3 Mangru Uikey, Swati Bird. c. 2008. Acrylic on Canvas. Collection Unknown. 3.4 Anand Singh Shyam, Deer with Birds. 2006. Poster paint on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.5 Anand Singh Shyam, Cat with Multiple Heads. 2010. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.6 Anand Singh Shyam, Cat with Multiple Heads. 2011. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.7 Kala Bai Shyam, Bada Deo. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.8 Saroj Shyam, Maharalin Mata. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Collection Unknown. 3.9 Pema Fatia, Pithora. c. 2000. Pigment on Paper. Collection of Ruma Ghosh. 3.10 Narmada Prasad Tekam, Basin Kanya. c. 2002. Acrylic on Canvas. Collection Unknown. 3.11 Ravi Tekam, Basin Kanya. c. 2005. Acrylic on Canvas. Collection of Narmada Prasad Tekam. 3.12 Narmada Prasad Tekam, Vish Kanya. c. 2000. Acrylic on Canvas. Collection Unknown.

84 85 86 87 88 89 91 98

3.1

109 110 112 113 114 115 116 117 119 124 125 126

x F Speaking with Pictures

3.13 Durga Bai Vyam, Basin Kanya. c. 2007. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.14 Durga Bai Vyam, Basin Kanya. c. 2006. Acrylic on Canvas. Collection Unknown. 3.15 Mangru Uikey, Basin Kanya, frame 1. 2009. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.16 Mangru Uikey, Basin Kanya, frame 6. 2009. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.17 Mangru Uikey, Basin Kanya at Point of Transformation. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.18 Mangru Uikey, Synoptic Version of Basin Kanya Story. 2011. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.19 Shambhu Shyam, Ganesha. c. 2007. Ink on Paper. Collection Unknown. 3.20 Mayank Shyam, Fish and Bird. c. 2006. Ink on Paper. Artists’ Collection. 3.21 Mayank Shyam, Birds. c. 2006. Acrylic on Paper. Artists’ Collection. 3.22 Sambhav Shyam, Sanpankhri. c. 2006. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.23 Story Board for Animation Film, frame 1. Collection of Venkataraman Singh Shyam. 3.24 Story Board for Animation Film, frame 2. Collection of Venkataraman Singh Shyam. 3.25 Mangry Uikey, Chameleon’s Dreams, frame 1. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.26 Mangru Uikey, Chameleon’s Dreams, frame 2. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.27 Mangru Uikey, Chameleon’s Dreams, frame 3. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.28 Mangru Uikey, Chameleon’s Dreams, frame 4. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.29 Mangru Uikey, Chameleon’s Dreams, frame 5. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.30 Mangru Uikey, Chameleon’s Dreams, frame 6. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.31 Mangru Uikey, Chameleon’s Dreams, frame 7. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.32 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 1. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection.

128 129 131 132 133 134 138 140 141 142 145 146 150 151 152 154 155 156 157 159

List of Plates G xi

3.33 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 2. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.34 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 3. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.35 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 4. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.36 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 5. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.37 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 6. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.38 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 7. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.39 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 8. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.40 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 9. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. 3.41 Mangru Uikey, Chote and Litia, frame 10. 2009. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection. Anonymous, Sita Harana, frame 1. c. 2000. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 4.2 Anonymous, Sita Harana, frame 2. Author’s Collection. 4.3 Anonymous, Sita Harana, frame 3. Author’s Collection. 4.4 Anonymous, Sita Harana, frame 4. Author’s Collection. 4.5 Anonymous, Sita Harana, frame 5. Author’s Collection. 4.6 Anonymous, Sita Harana, frame 6. Author’s Collection. 4.7 Anonymous, Sita Harana, frame 7. Author’s Collection. 4.8 Dukhushyam Chirakar, Sita Harana, last frame. c. 2000. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. 4.9 Moina Chitrakar, Sita Harana. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.10 Moina Chitrakar, Sita Harana. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.11 Swarna Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 1. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.12 Swarna Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 2. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society.

160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168

4.1

176 177 178 179 180 182 183 186 190 191 194 195

xii F Speaking with Pictures

4.13 Swarna Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 3. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.14 Swarna Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 4. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.15 Swarna Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 5. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.16 Manu Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 1. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.17 Manu Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 2. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.18 Manu Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 3. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.19 Manu Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 4. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.20 Manu Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 5. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.21 Manu Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 6. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.22 Manu Chitrakar, Sita Harana, frame 7. 2009. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.23 Montu Chitrakar, Laden, frame 1. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.24 Montu Chitrakar, Laden, frame 2. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.25 Montu Chitrakar, Laden, frame 3. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.26 Montu Chitrakar, Laden, frame 4. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.27 Montu Chitrakar, Laden, frame 5. 2009. Pencil on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.28 Amit Chitrakar, Nativity Scene from Bible. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection.

196 197 198 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 208 209 210 211 212 218

List of Plates G xiii

4.29 Swarna’s Reworked Story, frame 1. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.30 Swarna’s Reworked Story, frame 2. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.31 Swarna’s Reworked Story, frame 3. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.32 Swarna’s Reworked Story, frame 4. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.33 Swarna’s Reworked Story, frame 5. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.34 Swarna’s Reworked Story, frame 6. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.35 Swarna’s Reworked Story, frame 7. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.36 Moina’s Reworked Story, frame 1. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.37 Moina’s Reworked Story, frame 2. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.38 Moina’s Reworked Story, frame 3. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.39 Manu’s Reworked Story, frame 1. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.40 Manu’s Reworked Story, last frame. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.41 Montu’s Reworked Story, frame 1. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society.

220 222 223 224 225 226 227 229 230 231 233 234 236

xiv F Speaking with Pictures

4.42 Montu’s Reworked Story, frame 2. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.43 Montu’s Reworked Story, frame 3. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.44 Montu’s Reworked Story, frame 4. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 4.45 Montu’s Reworked Story, frame 5. 2009. Ink on Paper. Collection of Tara Books and Tara Educational Research Society. 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9

Banku Chitrakar, Manasa Mangal, frame 1. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Banku Chitrakar, Manasa Mangal, last frame. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Swarna Chitrakar, Manasa Mangal, frame 1. 2009. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Swarna Chitrakar, Manasa Mangal, last frame. 2009. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Swarna Chitrakar, Christ. 2010. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Swarna Chitrakar, Christ. 2010. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Anwar Chitrakar, Christ. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Anwar Chitrakar, Ganesha. 2008. Pigment on Paper. Author’s Collection. Anwar Chitrakar, Earth Mother. 2010. Ink on Paper. Author’s Collection.

237 238 239 240 250 251 252 253 259 260 261 262 263

Glossary abhinaya adivasi ajob ananda ashram ashva ashvamedha astra atma avatar

mode of conveyance, i.e., expression and gesture original inhabitant, indigene, ‘tribal’ Arabic ajai’b, wonderous joy hermitage horse horse sacrifice weapon soul incarnation

bana bhakti bhava bhonita bidroho bimba–pratibma bindi

stringed instrument used by Pardhan bards devotion disposition colophone revolt image and its reflection dot; also refers to vermillion dot on the forehead of married women

chamatkar charpai design chhaya purusha/chhaya chokkhu daan

wonderment checker board design literally, ‘shadow person’, reflection gift of the eyes

damru dana dekho deva dharma dhoti dhwani dug-dugi

drum offering look (in Bangla) gods law, the righteous order lower garment worn by men resonance (in music) drum (in Bangla)

garh gazi

territorial division among the Gonds warrior saint

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