Bharat Mata
Kalighat Painting
2007 (painted)
2007 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In this painting, the image of Bharat Mata, or 'Mother India', has been cleverly subverted into this wry satire on Indias current social and political status. India, as a tree, is nobly defended by its female protectress, while storm clouds and high winds gather. A group of rats, representing India's various political factions inexorably gnaw away at its trunk, creating hollowness within. The ring of weapons and barbed wire around the composition symbolises the Indian army, ready to defend the nation from perceived threats.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Bharat Mata (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | Kalighat painting 'Bharat Mata', by Kalam Patua, Birbhum district, West Bengal, 2007. |
| Physical description | The painting contains only one central standing female figure wearing a pink sari with black border. The artist has depicted the blowing storm by bending the tree behind her as if in a gale, with dark storm clouds overhead. The predominant colours used are pastel shades of pink and yellow, but black has been used to highlight and define outlines. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | In this painting, the image of Bharat Mata, or 'Mother India', has been cleverly subverted into this wry satire on India's current social and political status. India, as a tree, is nobly defended by its female protectress, while storm clouds and high winds gather. A group of rats, representing India's various political factions inexorably gnaw away at its trunk, creating hollowness within. The ring of weapons and barbed wire around the composition symbolises the Indian army, ready to defend the nation from perceived threats. (October 2011 - May 2012) |
| Summary | In this painting, the image of Bharat Mata, or 'Mother India', has been cleverly subverted into this wry satire on Indias current social and political status. India, as a tree, is nobly defended by its female protectress, while storm clouds and high winds gather. A group of rats, representing India's various political factions inexorably gnaw away at its trunk, creating hollowness within. The ring of weapons and barbed wire around the composition symbolises the Indian army, ready to defend the nation from perceived threats. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Kalighat Paintings'
p.106 cat.no 97 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.51-2011 |
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| Record created | November 17, 2011 |
| Record URL |
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