Fishing | Santhal Painting | A5 Frame

This framed A5 size Santhal painting depicts a traditional Santhal (tribal) hunt. Santhals are mostly agriculturalist but due to many types of water bodies (such as shallow pond, swamps, running water, marshy places & paddy field) present in the district they catch fishes as hobby, for food, festival & livelihood. Santhal have inherited the traditional fishing system from their forefathers. They are well acquainted with fishing sites & know which fish species they will get from there. They use different appliances made mostly of natural artefacts like basket made of bamboo which is wider at one end than the other and both ends are open. It is plunged with the wider end down into the water over the fish and the hand is put in through the smaller opening & the fish is caught.

 

Art History - Santhal Art is a notable art form, coming from the tribal villages of West Bengal. These scrolls were visual accompaniments to stories told through songs and ballads. Basically freehand painted, this painting replicates their perception of life . The paintings are traditionally made from handmade paper, backed with cloth. These paintings are traditionally made with natural mineral and vegetable colors. Delightful and earthy, these paintings reflect the ancient tradition of story telling in India. The tribal life of India has a lot of celebration in it. Their eyes shine bright and their body language is full of life.

The painting is done by Suman Chitrakar, the Patua Artist from West Bengal.