Kalighat Paintings: From Shrines to Satire

Originating in 19th-century Bengal near the Kalighat temple, this art was first sold to pilgrims. Over time, Kalighat paintings became social commentaries—mocking British colonialists, greedy priests, and corrupt babus.

What makes Kalighat unique is its bold lines, sweeping brushwork, and expressive characters. Unlike intricate miniatures, it embraced simplicity and speed. Artists painted mythological figures like Durga and Kali but soon expanded into everyday narratives, creating a folk-pop hybrid long before modern comics.

Today, Kalighat paintings are seen as early expressions of satire and social realism in Indian art, bridging faith and critique with effortless grace.