Santhal Janam Katha (Birth Story of the Santhals)

This Pattachitra by Laltu Chitrakars depicts the ‘Santhal Janam Katha’, the birth story of the Santhal tribe. The festival of Makar Sankranti, known as Sakrat, is an important celebration in the community. This is an occasion for the Santhal community to go about singing songs from house to house and engage in festivities. Several songs are performed, including the Janam Katha, the origin story.

The Bengal Pattachitra is a visual and oral art tradition practised by the Patuas or Chitrakars of West Bengal. Santhali Patas (scrolls) document the day-to-day life of the Santhals, a tribal community from Eastern India. These scrolls are also known as Chakshudan Pata or Jadu Pata, and the artists who create them are commonly called Jadu Patuas.

To read more on The Bengal Pattachitra, click here.