Kalighat painting 'Revisiting Kaliyug', by Kalam Patua, Birbhum district, West Bengal, 2004.

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.

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.

IS.50-2011