Chitrakathi is a performing art of storytelling with the aid of colourful paintings and narrative folk songs. This craft has its home in Pinguli, a small town in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, a western state in India. Chitrakathi is among a lesser known form of storytelling, among the various forms of storytelling that exist across the world. This age-old craft of Chitrakathi has been practised over four centuries by the nomadic Thakar tribe of Pinguli- a tribe that travelled narrating the tales of the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas. Today, the traditional craft is continued by a few artisans in Sawantwadi ensuring that this colourful legacy continues to flourish.
The diagnostic study is an inclusive document about the Chitrakathi of Maharashtra elaborating the distinct characteristics of this craft, along with the museum dedicated to its preservation. The documentation weaves a story of the details of beautiful Chitrakathi paintings, their characteristics and differentiating points, compiled after thorough research and studies carried out in its very homeland. Depending on the availability of tools and mediums, the art has changed over time. The change is also often the result of the artist’s style and his working methods. But there are numerous features that set the paintings of Chitrakathi apart. Along with these features, the documentation has the record of the processes and provides insights on the commercial side of the craft. The beauty of the art makes any individual an ardent believer in it. While there are threats and weaknesses, as believers we have provided certain humble and implementable suggestions to tackle the current problems and promote this craft at a national level and let its beauty be known to more people.
