Summary
Naya is a small village in the Midnapore district of West Bengal that is home to around 250 patuas (also called chitrakaars), who are folk artists practising the ancient art of Pata Chitra. These multi-talented artists are painters, lyricists, singers, and performers all rolled into one. Pata Chitra is a unique form of storytelling through painted scrolls, where the artists sing the story as they unroll the scroll. This art form has been practised since the 13th century.
Traditionally, the story tellers carried their painted scrolls from village to village, unrolling them frame by frame while singing pater gaan (story songs). Villagers rewarded them with rice, vegetables, and money. Their stories originally covered mythological tales and tribal folklore, but now also include social messages and contemporary events.
Over time, interest in Pata Chitra declined. To revive their art, the patuas adapted their skills and themes to modern times and established a patachitra village at Naya. Today, the art form is flourishing again, with village youngsters taking it up as both a passion and a profession.