Kalighat painting 'A babu and bibi embracing', by Ranjit Chitrakar, Medinipur, West Bengal, 1995 - 1988.

A rectangular painting, with a double border of yellow and black. The two central figures stand in a room painted with orange walls and a blue floor. The male figure wears a white traditional 'dhoti' (lower garment) under a black 'panjabi' or 'kurta' jacket and is depicted in the manner of a bengali babu with western style buckled shoes, a curled hairdo and fancy ear adornments. The female figure wears a white sari with a lilac border, no blouse and plenty of jewellery on her chest, hair and ears.
The couple are standing in an embracing pose, similar to that seen in the scenes from the Tarakeshwar affair series of kalighat paintings, where Nabin and Elokeshi are reconciled. This pose is also seen in other non-Tarakeshwar related depictions of babus and their mistresses.

The subject shows a stereotypical Bengali babu embracing his bibi or mistress. The style is similar to that of 19th century kalighat painting, but the choice and use of colour is original to the artist. Ranjit Chitrakar has based this painting on the traditional composition of a babu and bibi embracing, but has introduced new colours in his depiction of the figures in the form of pale lilac and pinks made from seasonal flowers. A traditional scroll painter, Ranjit Chitrakar creates Kalighat pats when requested. The long and thin orientation of this painting allows it to be easily rolled and stored along with his scrolls when not on display.

IS.40-2011