Not currently on display at the V&A

Revisiting Kaliyug

Kalighat Painting
2004 (painted)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Kalam Patua's subject themes often re-imagine traditional ideas in fresh new contexts. Kaliyug is recognised as the Hindu term given to the 'Dark Age' or the 'Indian Apocalypse', often associated with a decline in moral and social values. Set against an urban background, this family scene shows the wife riding on the shoulders of her husband, while his religious mother is made to follow behind on foot, implying a lack of respect for the elderly.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleRevisiting Kaliyug (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on paper
Brief description
Kalighat painting 'Revisiting Kaliyug', by Kalam Patua, Birbhum district, West Bengal, 2004.
Physical description
The painting shows three central figures, a middle aged man with his young wife on his shoulders, standing beside an old woman next to them - the man's mother. She is bent over and clutching a stick for support. She is being made to carry the man's camera bag over her left shoulder, as indicated by the black bag bearing the trademark VIP on the front, as well as her rosary bag indicating her pious nature. The background depicts a cityscape with skyscrapers, high rise buildings and a modern looking mini-van parked behind them. The predominant colours used are pastel shades of purple, blue, pink and yellow, although the young wife's dress is a vibrant shade of red with a black border.
Dimensions
  • Height: 515mm
  • Width: 415mm
Gallery label
Kalam Patua's subject themes often re-imagine traditional ideas in fresh new contexts. Kaliyug is recognised as the Hindu term given to the 'Dark Age' or the 'Indian Apocalypse', often associated with a decline in moral and social values. Set against an urban background, this family scene shows the wife riding on the shoulders of her husband, while his religious mother is made to follow behind on foot, implying a lack of respect for the elderly. (October 2011- May 2012)
Summary
Kalam Patua's subject themes often re-imagine traditional ideas in fresh new contexts. Kaliyug is recognised as the Hindu term given to the 'Dark Age' or the 'Indian Apocalypse', often associated with a decline in moral and social values. Set against an urban background, this family scene shows the wife riding on the shoulders of her husband, while his religious mother is made to follow behind on foot, implying a lack of respect for the elderly.
Bibliographic reference
Sinha, Suhashini, and Panda, C, eds. Kalighat Paintings from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2012. ISBN 1851776656. p.106 cat.no 96
Collection
Accession number
IS.50-2011

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Record createdNovember 17, 2011
Record URL
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