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80-Year-Old Reba Pal: Painting Life with 'Chalchitra' Art Under a Dilapidated Roof
N
News18•24-09-2026, 12:39
80-Year-Old Reba Pal: Painting Life with 'Chalchitra' Art Under a Dilapidated Roof
- •80-year-old Reba Pal from Nadia district continues to live life through 'Chalchitra' art, 22 years after her husband's passing.
- •She learned this art from her husband 50 years ago, which has now become her sole support.
- •Chalchitra is a traditional painted backdrop for Durga idols, which Reba Pal still creates by hand.
- •Once, her Chalchitras were in demand even in Kolkata, but technology has reduced the work.
- •Despite loneliness and financial hardship, Reba Pal lives with her art and self-respect.
Key Questions Answered
Reba Pal is an 80-year-old resident of Krishnanagar, West Bengal, who single-handedly creates traditional handmade 'Chalchitras', which are painted backdrops placed behind Durga idols.
She learned the craft about 50 years ago from her late husband, Shashti Pal, initially helping him before mastering the intricate skill and continuing it as a legacy after his passing.
She lives alone in a dilapidated house facing financial hardship, aging eyesight, and low market demand due to cheap digital alternatives, receiving only meager payments and an old-age pension.
