Kalighat Cat

 Artist: Mantu Chitrakar

Size - 14"h x 11"w

Water based colors on Paper

 

About the Art

This 'Pat' or painting is the art from the State of West Bengal."The image of a calico cat with black and orange spots on a yellow body and with a pawn in its mouth has been interpreted as a satire on the hypocrisy of some religious merchants who were Vaishnavas ( devotee of Lord Vishnu) and who professed to be vegetarians but in fact ate meat and fish in private.The iconography has variations in images of the cat holding other kinds of fish, a mouse and even a parrot in its mouth. When interpreted as satire, the image is sometimes titled 'The false ascetic.'" - From the Ocean of Paintings by Barbara Rossi

About the Artist

Mantu Chitrakar hails from Noya, Midnapore, in West Bengal. At a young age he began patua painting and singing in the nearby villages to earn a living for himself and his family. He has exhibited and demonstrated in India as well as abroad.
In 2007 he exhibited at the International Folk Art Convention at the Nek Chand’s Rock Garden in Chandigarh.
as well as the Learning Department of the National Museum in Liverpool, UK. His works are at the private collection of American artist and art patron Scott Rothstein, Ann Oppenhimer - President of the Folk Arts Society of America, Dr Stephen Huyler and  at the Museum of Visionary Art, Baltimore, USA and National Museums, Liverpool, UK.