Pingla (West Midnapore): Ballots vanish in SIR. Brushes rise in protest. Scrolls speak before assembly polls. In Bengal’s patachitra heart, democracy is being painted frame by frame – each stroke carrying a question, each refrain demanding an answer.Patachitra artists – custodians of a centuries-old storytelling tradition rooted in Ramayana and Mahabharata – are turning their craft towards a deeply personal theme: denial of their right to vote.In Naya village of West Midnapore’s Pingla block, at least 34 names have been struck off poll rolls following SIR, residents said. Naya has around 300 patachitra artists, most from Muslim families sharing the surname “Chitrakar”. More women than men feature among deleted names, residents claimed.In response, art has turned testimonial. Bahadur Chitrakar has painted eight frames tracing fear and uncertainty. One likens voters’ lives to kite strings that could snap anytime. “Elections are like festivals,” he said. “This year, sadness has taken over.”Siraj-ud-daulah Chitrakar’s scrolls revisit childhood memories – walking to polling booths with parents. “Now they are asked to prove they belong here,” he said. “Through art, we show we are Indians.”Those affected include relatives of nationally honoured artists such as Swarno Chitrakar and Anwar Chitrakar. Many had long been registered voters in booth 183 of Sabang assembly constituency.What was once mythological narrative has shifted sharply. Patachitras (long painted scrolls) and pater gan (songs sung while unfurling them) now recount hearings, documents, and rejection. “It’s a matter of concern,” said Rahim Chitrakar, treasurer of Chitrataru, a collective of artists. “At least 34 artists have been excluded post-SIR.”Sanuyar Chitrakar, 40, said his name disappeared despite extensive documentation. He linked his credentials to his father, listed in 2002 rolls, and submitted a land deed over 50 years old. “My siblings remain on the list. I don’t,” he said. Called for a hearing over a “logical discrepancy”, he produced required papers. “I even offered my passport. They said it wasn’t needed.” His name was removed after judicial scrutiny. He has approached a tribunal set up under Supreme Court directions.His daughter cleared scrutiny. He did not.Others narrated similar patterns. Anur Chitrakar said her name was missing from a list published Feb 28. Her husband, who submitted his passport, was also excluded. In Bahar Chitrakar’s family, among senior artists praised by the President, four names have been deleted.Seramuddin Chitrakar pointed to irony. A scroll that he painted depicting Ramayana scenes drew praise from PM Narendra Modi. “I don’t know why my wife’s name was deleted,” he said.Jahanara Chitrakar recounted being the only sibling left out despite identical documentation. “All five of my siblings are on the list. I am not,” she said.In Naya, where art travels by song and story, anger now flows through paint.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Never Be Forgiven’: PM Modi Dares Opposition On Women Quota Bill, Priyanka Gandhi Questions Timing‘Won’t Reduce South’s Share’: Amit Shah Clarifies On Delimitation, Calls Oppn Claims ‘Misleading’Hal’s Light Utility Helicopter Explained: Specs, Altitude Edge And Why It Matters‘PM Modi Only Flag Bearer Of Feminism’: Kangana Ranaut Targets Congress Over Women Quota Bill In Lok SabhaPM Modi, French President Macron Stress Urgent Need To Restore Hormuz Safety During Phone Call’If Chanakya Were Alive…’: Priyanka Gandhi’s Swipe At Amit Shah Over Delimitation, Women QuotaNo More Russian Oil Waiver: What The US Decision Means For India’s Energy Needs Amid West Asia CrisisAustria’s Chancellor Calls India Key Partner, Pushes India-EU Trade Deal Amid Global TurmoilLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks123PhotostoriesExclusive – Kiku Sharda opens up about his kids’ reaction to his female roles, Sunil Grover’s talent, and his bond with Kapil Sharma5 Japanese food rituals that could fix your eating habits instantly5 Signs of high emotional intelligence that instantly set you apart from others5 things couples do before calling it quitsWhy your heirloom Kanjeevaram saree feels so different from a modern silk shirt8 most unusual monkeys in the world: From capuchins to mandrillsStep inside Chris Gayle’s ₹20 crore lavish Jamaica mansion with private nightclub, infinity pools and unbelievable ocean views!‘Are we eating all our mangoes’: Why despite being the largest producer of mangoes, India is able to export just 1 percentGold vs lab-grown diamonds: What should you really buy this Akshaya Tritiya?Top 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTCS NashikPune Harassment NewsVaranasi Woman DeathLucknow Vikas Nagar Fire IncidentAmir HamzaUP Beggar MurderBengaluru Businessman NewsGurgaon Student SuicideGunika KhuranaJaisalmer Murder
Pingla (West Midnapore): Ballots vanish in SIR. Brushes rise in protest. Scrolls speak before assembly polls. In Bengal’s patachitra heart, democracy is being painted frame by frame – each stroke carrying a question, each refrain demanding an answer.Patachitra artists – custodians of a centuries-old storytelling tradition rooted in Ramayana and Mahabharata – are turning their craft towards a deeply personal theme: denial of their right to vote.In Naya village of West Midnapore’s Pingla block, at least 34 names have been struck off poll rolls following SIR, residents said. Naya has around 300 patachitra artists, most from Muslim families sharing the surname “Chitrakar”. More women than men feature among deleted names, residents claimed.In response, art has turned testimonial. Bahadur Chitrakar has painted eight frames tracing fear and uncertainty. One likens voters’ lives to kite strings that could snap anytime. “Elections are like festivals,” he said. “This year, sadness has taken over.”Siraj-ud-daulah Chitrakar’s scrolls revisit childhood memories – walking to polling booths with parents. “Now they are asked to prove they belong here,” he said. “Through art, we show we are Indians.”Those affected include relatives of nationally honoured artists such as Swarno Chitrakar and Anwar Chitrakar. Many had long been registered voters in booth 183 of Sabang assembly constituency.What was once mythological narrative has shifted sharply. Patachitras (long painted scrolls) and pater gan (songs sung while unfurling them) now recount hearings, documents, and rejection. “It’s a matter of concern,” said Rahim Chitrakar, treasurer of Chitrataru, a collective of artists. “At least 34 artists have been excluded post-SIR.”Sanuyar Chitrakar, 40, said his name disappeared despite extensive documentation. He linked his credentials to his father, listed in 2002 rolls, and submitted a land deed over 50 years old. “My siblings remain on the list. I don’t,” he said. Called for a hearing over a “logical discrepancy”, he produced required papers. “I even offered my passport. They said it wasn’t needed.” His name was removed after judicial scrutiny. He has approached a tribunal set up under Supreme Court directions.His daughter cleared scrutiny. He did not.Others narrated similar patterns. Anur Chitrakar said her name was missing from a list published Feb 28. Her husband, who submitted his passport, was also excluded. In Bahar Chitrakar’s family, among senior artists praised by the President, four names have been deleted.Seramuddin Chitrakar pointed to irony. A scroll that he painted depicting Ramayana scenes drew praise from PM Narendra Modi. “I don’t know why my wife’s name was deleted,” he said.Jahanara Chitrakar recounted being the only sibling left out despite identical documentation. “All five of my siblings are on the list. I am not,” she said.In Naya, where art travels by song and story, anger now flows through paint.
