Exhibit of the week- 188
(04th to 10th January 2024)

MACHHER BIE

A scroll painting (Pattachitra)

Pattachitra is a traditional cloth based scroll painting found in West Bengal. Patta means cloth & Chitra means painting. The artisan known as patua do the intricate painting with natural colours. The stories are taken mostly from mythologies, folklores, religious stories and social issues. It is used as a visual device during the performance of song or narrative. Songs are known as potter Gaan. The present object is a scroll painting on canvas depicting the story about the wedding of a fish known as Dariya. All the fishes known as Chanda, Gota, Rehu, Magur, Punti, Koi etc. have been invited to the marriage ceremony and some of them wanted to play their role as ornament of the bride Dariya fish, some wanted to play musical instruments and some wanted to carry the palanquin. They were happy to participate in the marriage procession but they did not realize the upcoming danger. The fish known as Boal, bigger in size who was not invited to attend the marriage function became angry and said to swallow all the fish.

Acc. No. - 2015.46
Local Name - MACHHER BIE, A scroll painting (Pattachitra)
Community - Chitrakar
Locality - West Medinipur, West Bengal
Measurement - Height – 208 cms., Width – 56 cm.

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Date: January 4, 2024