Folk Art: Stories of Bengal Pats April 30, 2009

Opening Reception and Presentation: Thursday, April 30, 2009

RSVP by April 27: [email protected]

Reception: 6:30pm
Presentation: 7:00pm
Guest of Honor:
Dr. Maina Chawla Singh
Associate Professor, University of New Delhi
Wife of Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Mr. Arun Sing
Presentation by:
Dr. Geraldine Forbes
Distinguished Teaching Professor
State University of New York Oswego
Exhibit Curated by:
Rama Deva
Scrolls or pats, sheets of cloth or paper, are painted with natural vegetable dyes by patuas or chitrakars (literally picture makers) whose trade has been handed down from generation to generation. Traditionally, the patuas roamed the villages in Bengal and entertained audiences by unfurling the scrolls and singing the story. Although historically the artists were men and the subject matter religious stories and myths, today women are also artists and the the patuas include themes with political and social messages from the 9/11 attacks to the Tsunami, birth control, and HIV/AIDS.
These beautiful works of folk art are from the private collection of Distinguished Teaching Professor Geraldine Forbes. She is a historian of colonial India and has been visiting the villages of Bengal for the past 30 years.
The exhibit will also be available for viewing May 1-2 (10am to 4pm) and May 3 (noon to 3pm).

Official Website: http://www.gandhimemorialcenter.org/events