A Village Is a Busy Place!

This activity book in the Bengal Patua style of scroll painting depicts the everyday world of the Santhal people, who are amongst India’s largest indigenous communities.
Fold by colourful fold, the scroll opens out into a gorgeous panorama of village life, teeming with people, animals and activities. Accompanying text?along with careful pointers and questions?encourages the child to discover details, make connections, and set off on an exploration of village life.

Patua artist Rohima Chitrakar began learning this art from her parents-in-law Moyna Chitrakar and Joydeb Chitrakar, established Patua artists themselves. Among Rohima’s favourite themes are the adivasis and their daily life in the village, featuring cooking, cleaning, hunting, fishing and playing. Sometimes her paintings also focus on other contemporary aspects such as the government’s civic initiatives. Rohima’s style has gained a strong individuality over the years, and the fish is a recurring motif in her art. Along with her family, she has participated in government programmes and also exhibited her work at fairs in and around Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.