Patna: Patna Kalam, once a prominent artistic tradition of India, has returned to public attention with an exhibition organised by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Patna Chapter at Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi. The exhibition was inaugurated on Sept 18 and features works by more than 60 artists.Curated by Jitendra Mohan and Dinesh Kumar, the event was inaugurated by Jyoti Parihar, director, Kilkari; Rakhi Kumari, principal of Patna Arts and Crafts College; Amrita Pritam, secretary of the Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi; Pradeep Jain, philatelist; Vivekanand Jha, president of Chetna Samiti; Aditya Jalan, founder of Patna Planet; along with other artists and officials.Patna Kalam, also known as ‘company painting’, absorbed European and British influences, particularly in its use of colour. Its distinguishing feature is its focus on the daily lives and occupations of ordinary people rather than royal subjects.Amrita Pritam said the govt was committed to providing support for preserving Bihar’s artistic heritage.Bhairab Lal Das, convener of INTACH’s Patna chapter, said exhibitions are important for preserving Patna Kalam by bringing it back into public view and building interest in its revival.“Patna Kalam has a glorious history and a strong tradition,” said Umesh Chandra Dwivedi, co-convener of INTACH Patna chapter, explaining that the style developed in Patna after artists from Murshidabad and other regions migrated here following the decline of the Mughal Empire.Shivkumar Mishra, co-convener, INTACH Bihar chapter, said artists traditionally worked without preliminary pencil sketches, applying ink and colour directly with brushes. He said the paintings were made on paper, ivory, mica and silk, typically with simple backgrounds to keep attention on the central figure.The exhibition will continue till Sept 20.
