Kolkata's satirical painter sustains ancient tradition

Bhaskar Chitrakar sets down modern life in India in his artwork

Traditional Kalighat painter Bhaskar Chitrakar produces all of his artwork on his bed in his childhood home in Kolkata. (Photo by Manob Ghosh)

ANURADHA SHARMA, Contributing writer

January 31, 2020 12:01 JST

KOLKATA -- With Saraswati Puja, the festival marking the advent of spring, around the corner, Patuapara in Kolkata's Kalighat district was a flurry of activity.

Half-ready clay idols of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, basked in the winter sun, in rows lining the narrow, busy lanes. Once dry, the idols will be colored and adorned in colorful clothes to be worshipped on the day of the festival, this year in late January.