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Bengal Arts

Kalighat Paintings Online.

The Kalighat paintings came into existence during the 19th century in the kali temple area, Kolkata on the ghat of the Buri Ganga. Earlier these paintings were souvenir brought by devotees of the Kali temple at Kalighat. Kalighat Paintings are characterized by bold colours, broad sweeping brush lines and simplification of forms. Earlier Kalighat Paintings were dedicated to Hindu mythology only but later the artists started including everyday social and political themes. These paintings were actually a depiction of their thoughts, their fear of the rapid changes that were taking place in the society at that time. Popular themes at time were babus boasting their mistress, Jhansi ki Rani on horseback and cat with Hindu holy mark on her forehead. Kalighat paintings get its attention due to its rawness as they were simple drawings made using brush and ink from the lampblack.