Meet Reba Pal: At 79, the Artist Keeping The Art Behind the Durga Idol

Behind the grandeur of Durga Puja lies an intricate art form that often goes unnoticed. In Krishnanagar, West Bengal, 79-year-old Reba Pal continues to paint traditional Chalchitra backdrops, preserving a fading folk-art legacy with natural colours, patience and unwavering dedication.

When people admire a beautifully adorned Durga idol during Bengal’s most celebrated festival, their attention often rests on the deity’s expression, the ornaments and the artistry of the idol itself. Yet, framing this sacred centrepiece is another work of art—an elaborate painted backdrop that brings together mythology, devotion and traditional craftsmanship.

Known as Chalchitra, this distinctive form of Bengal’s folk-art heritage is the craft that 79-year-old Reba Pal of Krishnanagar, in Nadia district of West Bengal, continues to practise. At an age when the physical demands of detailed painting can become increasingly challenging, she remains committed to keeping the tradition alive, one brushstroke at a time.

Reba’s journey into the world of traditional art began early. She married Patachitra artist Josti Pal at the age of 16. By the time she was 18, she had begun working to help support the family. What started as a necessity gradually became a lifelong artistic pursuit, connecting her to a craft deeply rooted in Bengal’s cultural and religious traditions.

Together, the couple raised their four children through their artistic work. Their paintings were not merely creative expressions; they were also a means of livelihood. Over the years, the craft became an integral part of Reba’s life.

Following her husband’s death nearly two decades ago, she faced financial difficulties and the responsibility of sustaining the household. Yet, she did not give up the art they had practised together. Instead, she continued working, carrying forward a legacy that had become inseparable from her own identity.

The Art Behind the Durga Idol

Chalchitra occupies a distinctive place in Bengal’s Durga Puja tradition. The word refers to the painted backdrop that frames the idol of Goddess Durga, transforming the space around the deity into a canvas of mythological narratives and devotional imagery.

These backdrops may feature scenes from the Puranas, figures such as Shiva and Parvati, Goddess Kali, and the Dashavatara—the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Intricate patterns, detailed figures and carefully composed scenes come together to create a visual narrative that complements the central idol.

Despite its artistic significance, Chalchitra can receive less attention than the elaborate idols and grand festival installations it accompanies. The work demands considerable skill, concentration and patience, with artists often spending long hours creating intricate designs.

Traditional artists such as Reba also continue to work with natural colours, sustaining techniques associated with an older generation of folk-art practitioners. Their work represents not only an artistic skill but also a living connection to the cultural traditions that have shaped Bengal’s religious celebrations.

A Lifetime of Persistence

For Reba, continuing this demanding craft at 79 is no small undertaking. Chalchitra painting requires precision, steady hands and keen eyesight. Long working hours can make the process physically taxing, particularly as artists grow older.

Yet, age has not diminished her attachment to the art. Nor have financial hardships persuaded her to abandon it.

Her journey reflects the resilience of countless traditional artisans whose lives are closely tied to crafts that receive limited recognition despite their cultural importance. For many such artists, preserving a tradition also means navigating the everyday challenges of earning a livelihood from their skills.

Reba’s determination is especially significant in a time when traditional art forms must compete with changing tastes, commercial pressures and newer methods of production. The survival of these practices depends on the continued work of artists who possess the knowledge, experience and patience required to pass them on.

Preserving a Cultural Legacy

The future of Chalchitra depends on more than remembering its place in Bengal’s heritage. It requires greater recognition for the artists who create these backdrops, opportunities for their work to reach wider audiences, and encouragement for younger generations to learn the craft.

Durga Puja offers an important opportunity to appreciate this artistic contribution. Alongside the magnificence of the idols and the creativity of festival installations, the painted backdrops deserve recognition as works of art in their own right.

At 79, Reba Pal stands as a reminder that cultural traditions survive because individuals continue to practise them, often without widespread attention or material security. Her story is not simply about growing old with an art form; it is about refusing to let a cherished skill disappear.

As she continues painting Chalchitra backdrops in Krishnanagar, Reba keeps alive a tradition that adds depth, colour and narrative to Bengal’s Durga Puja celebrations.

Behind every intricate backdrop is an artist whose work deserves to be seen. Through her continued dedication, Reba Pal ensures that this part of Bengal’s artistic heritage remains visible—one Durga Puja, and one painting, at a time.