Shambhu Acharya’s scroll paintings on display

Shambhu Acharya, a torchbearer of a family tradition of 450 years of doing scroll paintings, is back with 41 eye-catching patachitras (scroll paintings) at a solo show now running at Gallery Chitrak in the capital.
The artist, however, has not displayed any particular story or legends in the show, as patachitras usually do. But, following the styles and compositions of traditional scroll paintings, he has rather painted rural men and women in beautiful rural setting for the show titled ‘Patachitra Parampara’.
Visitors will nonetheless get the taste of scroll paintings as Shambhu has followed the pata style to paint his characters and landscapes.
As always, Shambhu has used handmade patas (scrolls) and colours. Shambhu makes his colours by using natural materials like seeds, leaves and flowers.
‘Patachitra is a family tradition for me. I learnt it from my father. For the last few generations, my family has been doing patachitra in the traditional way. We do not use ready-made patas or colours available in the market for our paintings. The necessary colours for the paintings are prepared using materials available in nature like seeds, leaves, flowers and others’, shared Shambhu Acharya.
As for subjects, the artist said, ‘I mostly work on legends, myths and historical stories in my scrolls. But for this exhibition, I have painted rural men and women in rural setting’.
Shambhu has applied the traditional scroll painting styles to paint the characters. Sharp edges, bold lines and bright-heavy colours are featured in the paintings.
Women doing their household chores or gossiping, men working on fields or fishing in river are depicted by Shambhu in most of his displayed works at the exhibition.
A number of works on diverse subjects are also being displayed at the exhibition.
Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore writing on a desk at his bojra (a large boat) has been depicted by Shambhu in one of his works.
Another displayed work shows Muslim saint Gazi Pir riding a Bengal tiger.
A liberation war-based painting showing a freedom fighter holding a rifle is a fine piece on display at the event.