Introduction
Patna Kalam (flourished circa 1760 to the mid-20th century) is a distinct school of painting that evolved as an offshoot of the Mughal miniature tradition following the decline of imperial patronage in Delhi. It uniquely synthesised Persian aesthetics, indigenous folk traditions, and British (Company School) techniques.
Key Centres and Prominent Artists
- Centres: The style primarily flourished in urban localities of Patna such as Lodi Katra, Diwan Mohalla, Machharhatta, and extended to Danapur and Arrah.
- Pioneers: Notable early artists include Sewak Ram and Hulas Lal. Other prominent painters included Shiv Lal, Mohan Lal, and the last notable master of the style, Ishwari Prasad Verma.
Core Themes and Medium
- Art of the Common People: Patna Kalam shifted focus from royal court scenes to the quotidian lives of ordinary people, craftsmen, and laborers, such as toddy-tappers, blacksmiths, and washermen, alongside depictions of local festivals like Chhath and Holi.
- Firkas: Paintings were frequently composed in sets of small-sized works called Firkas (often 4 to 6 paintings) depicting various trades and castes.
- Medium and Base: Artists used natural mineral and vegetable pigments applied on handmade paper (Wasli), mica sheets, and ivory.
Distinctive Techniques
- Kajli Seahi: Direct brushwork execution without preliminary pencil sketching or under-drawings, requiring immense precision and brush control.
- Purush Shaili: The tradition was predominantly practiced by male artists to meet bazaar-driven commercial demands, though female artists like Sona Bibi and Daksho Bibi also contributed.
- Specialised Brushes: Fine hair brushes were crafted using squirrel hair for delicate linework and goat hair for broader brushstrokes.
Factors Leading to Decline
- Loss of Patronage: The decline of local zamindars and colonial administrators post-1857 eroded financial support.
- Technological Disruption: The rise of photography and mechanical lithographic printing made miniature paintings commercially obsolete.
Conclusion
Patna Kalam stands out as a pioneering visual ethnography of 18th- and 19th-century Bihar. Today, state institutions like the Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan actively archive and digitise remaining works to preserve this unique artistic heritage.