Jadopatia Painting
Folk Painting
History
Jadupatua paintings are vertical scroll paintings from West Bengal and Santal Pargana, Jharkhand, traditionally made by the Jadupatua community. These artists were storytellers who traveled between villages, using their painted scrolls to narrate religious and mythological tales. The paintings served spiritual and social purposes, including the "mrityu pat," used to guide the souls of the deceased.
Raw Materials and Tools
Originally, Jadupatua scrolls were made from cloth, but later, waste paper sheets sewn together were used. The paintings were created with natural pigments from vegetables, minerals, and riverbed mud. Soot was used for black, vermillion for red, and market-bought pigments for blue and yellow. Brushes were crafted from goat hair tied to sticks or porcupine quills. Bamboo rods were attached to scrolls for easy handling.
Process
Jadupatua scrolls were made by sewing together sheets of paper and reinforcing them with fabric edges. These were mounted on bamboo rods for support. Artists sketched scenes using goat-hair brushes and painted with natural pigments. Horizontal bands divided the scrolls into storytelling panels. Bold colors, exaggerated facial features, and symbolic imagery added drama. The final artwork was secured with a string for easy rolling and carrying. These scrolls were used for storytelling and spiritual rituals.
Design and Color
Jadupatua paintings feature flattened, linear figures with large, exaggerated eyes symbolizing divine vision. Scenes are divided into horizontal bands illustrating myths, deities, and moral lessons. Bright colors like yellow, red, blue, and green enhance visual impact. Animals such as tigers, elephants, and horses appear in stylized, exaggerated forms. Santal women are depicted with grace and dignity, emphasizing their cultural poise amid dramatic storytelling contrasts.
Product Range
While traditional scroll paintings are no longer made, Jadupatua art has been adapted into contemporary products. The designs are now found in wall art, home furnishings, apparel, and fashion accessories like scarves, stoles, and saris. These modern adaptations retain the indigenous style and vibrant colors of the original scrolls.