Approx 400 years back, Shivaji Maharaj and his entourage went hunting deep in the jungle. While they were resting, he heard some people singing. After looking around, it came to be known that a nomadic tribe was reciting stories of the Ramayana. On returning to the palace, Shivaji Maharaj called the chief of the tribe to the court to enquire about them. The chief informed the court that they were Thakars, a nomadic tribe. They painted pictures on leaves with lime and soot from oil lamps that tell tales of the Ramayana. This was a way to soothe themselves after a long day of traveling and to keep them familiarised with the Itihasa. The pictures were accompanied by songs and music, from rustic instruments to keep the audience’s attention and convey stories with morals. Shivaji Maharaj was enchanted to hear about them. Thus, the format of combining "Chitra" — the picture and "Katha" — the story was born. Chitrakathi is identified in three forms, viz., leather shadow puppets, wooden string puppets, and picture stories. The former two are identified distinctly by their own names while the latter is only now identified as 'Chitrakathi'.
The Thakkars and the spread of the Artform
After hearing about these nomadic tribes, Thakars, Shivaji Maharaj issued a public notice stating that during the time of Dussehra, they would perform in the outer area of the Hindu temples. Not to cause any outrage by different communities, he ordered that the performance be held after the temple closes until it reopens the following day. The Thakars held center stage all night. They showed pictures that they painted and recited relevant stories, often breaking them into songs. The Thakars also visited the nooks and corners of the villages performing and reciting stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
It is also believed that they were appointed as “secret service agents” (or spies) during the rule of Shivaji Maharaj and later by Sawant Bhonsales. Later, the Sawant Bhonsales of Sawantwad even allotted some land in Pinguli near Kudal village as a reward for having supplied information for a major battle that the Bhonsales fought in that period. Presently, the practitioners of this art form are found in Gawadewadi, in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.
Style of the Painting
The Chitra of the stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata are depicted on handmade paper using natural colours. They are in bundles called pothi and every story is bundled in a pothi comprising 50 to 60 pictures. These paintings are done in two dimensions with black outlines. The face most of the time is shown sideways and their hands are shown with palms outwards. The feet are pointed to one side or angle only. The paintings as such have no proportions and perspectives. If the scene is in an enclosed space, a red border is made on the top, and if the scene is an outdoor setting there is no border and the sky is shown. They have a specific way of showing the ears, eyes, earrings, and even the dressing of the females.
The motifs and borders have been used since their forefathers. Their current style and motifs are not influenced by the outside world or any other art form. In all the paintings, only three or four colors are used. The animals represented are smaller than humans and again, don’t have any proportion. The motifs as one observes, are inspired by the nature and environment around them. Wavy lines from the ocean, flowers, designs from the coconut tree, animal prints from around them, stones, etc. All the motifs are a very deep reflection of nature.
Performance and Instruments
The oral narratives of the stories are performed in a Keerthan-like style using folk instruments like the Dholki and the Veena. The Naayak, or the lead performer, is assisted in the performance by two to three co-artists. He holds a 'Tuntuna' or a 'Tanpura' instrument and is accompanied by cymbals (Rhythm) and Huduk (percussion).
Even though Chitrakathi was a popular recreational source among the older tribal generations, very few performers of this art are present today in Maharashtra. With the increasing urbanization and changing lifestyle of rural people, traditional art forms are losing their importance and audiences.
References:
* The pictures are not owned by me. It is purely for educational purposes only.
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