Born in 1980, winner of a National Award in 2006, Anwar Chitrakar is a leading Patachitra
artist from Naya, Pingla West Bengal.
He started painting Pat while he was in school under the guidance of his father
Amar Chitrakar. Though he started training early in life it wasn’t before 20’s
that he took it up as a profession.
Trained in the 19 th century Kalighat style of painting he added a touch of
modernity to his art yet, retaining the usage of natural colours from the
flowers and soot of kerosene. While Anwar still paints on the traditional cloth-paper
scroll, he also uses more contemporary mediums like canvas, British paper, and Italian
paper. Traditional myths, mythological characters, gods and goddesses along with village
stories form the basis of Anwar’s work.
Anwar Chitrakar has participated in several exhibitions both in India and abroad, such as the
Berlin Festival 2012, Namaste India Festival Japan 2012, Devi Art Foundation’s “Vernacular
in the Contemporary”, and others. His paintings are part of the collection at the prestigious
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, the Mumbai International Airport, and many
important private collections.
Anwar Chitrakar won the West Bengal State Award in 2002, the National Award in 2006 and
the President’s Award amongst others. The artist resides and works in his village in West
Bengal.
Anwar Chitrakar
Born in 1980, winner of a National Award in 2006, Anwar Chitrakar is a leading Patachitra artist from Naya, Pingla West Bengal.
He started painting Pat while he was in school under the guidance of his father Amar Chitrakar. Though he started training early in life it wasn’t before 20’s that he took it up as a profession.
Trained in the 19 th century Kalighat style of painting he added a touch of modernity to his art yet, retaining the usage of natural colours from the flowers and soot of kerosene. While Anwar still paints on the traditional cloth-paper scroll, he also uses more contemporary mediums like canvas, British paper, and Italian paper. Traditional myths, mythological characters, gods and goddesses along with village stories form the basis of Anwar’s work.
Anwar Chitrakar has participated in several exhibitions both in India and abroad, such as the Berlin Festival 2012, Namaste India Festival Japan 2012, Devi Art Foundation’s “Vernacular in the Contemporary”, and others. His paintings are part of the collection at the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum, London, the Mumbai International Airport, and many important private collections.
Anwar Chitrakar won the West Bengal State Award in 2002, the National Award in 2006 and the President’s Award amongst others. The artist resides and works in his village in West Bengal.