Greetings! How long have you been practicing this kind of art?

Patachitra is a family art passed on from generation to generation. We mostly paint about topics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.I’ve learnt the basics of how to paint and sing from my father …..from a young age.

What material do you paint on?

We used to paint on normal single paper, but now we use standard art paper and sow or glue these sheets to old scraps of sari and cloth with a glue-like paste of flour and water. We use different colours that are extracted from plants and natural food items.  Examples include burnt rice which give a characteristic black pigment, and neem leaves to give a green colour.

How did your work become recognized in foreign countries?

In 1994 , I received a State governmental award and in 1995 a district level award. In honor of receiving these prizes, I travelled numerous times between Kolkata and my home in Naya. Then from there slowly, my recognition grew as people started talking and spreading my news.

Where have you visited?

Within India – I have travelled to Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi to showcase my work. I’ve also been to America six times ,London twice, and once to Paris on the basis of numerous collaborations and to participate in residency programmes.

What contemporary topics have you explored?

I’ve painted on topics outside Ramayana and Mahabharata like HIV/AIDS, Honor killings of infant girls, arranged child marriages. Other works explore themes like women rights, the Nirbhaya rape case. I haven’t done any on TB so yes this would be my first.

Before this project did you know anything about Tuberculosis?

I’ve heard about TB definitely, but not in so much detail, no. TB has been known as a very scary thing to us. As I listen to what you have to say about the disease, and the fact that it can be treated and cured – I don’t feel as frightened to talk about it.

Do you think this kind of project will be fruitful to the community – In this case particularly children?

A lot of parents are illiterate as am I, and through Children, the scientific messages of this program can definitely reach homes of the ignorant communities. They know nothing about the disease, which is why spread of information between children is good and quite needed so that more people can be well informed.