Painting stories: lives and legacies from an Indian crafts village

Abstract

"Painting Stories explores the accomplishments, struggles, and livelihoods of traditional artisans in Raghurajpur, a village known for its patta chitra painters. In this collection, Helle Bundgaard weaves thirty years of observations and experiences into a tapestry of stories, which together present a poignant image of the lives of Indian craft makers and their personal connections to the art they create. These stories are situated in a rich cultural environment and steeped in social relations. Religion, family, chance, ambition, and passion all shape the lives of the painters. For them, painting is more than a livelihood or an aesthetic expression -it is a way of life. Painting Stories is a window into a part of our world rarely seen, reminding us of both our rich diversity and shared humanity. Written with painters, students, and laypersons in mind, the book includes a discussion on the use of ethnographic storytelling and resources for those interested in ethnographic writing, as well as colour photographs that bring the stories to life."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents

Machine generated contents note: A Foreign Bird -- The Sketchbook -- A Ladies' Bicycle -- A Craving for Idlis -- The Helmet -- The Wrath of a Deity -- A Long Journey -- A Brief Glimpse of Joy -- A Convenient Arrangement -- A Friend for Life -- Too Good to Be True -- Still Standing -- Just Luck? -- Something to Celebrate -- Spectator Bird -- Voyages through Time.