The Colombo Institute is the repository for the Roma Chatterji Patua Scroll Collection. Prof Chatterji, former Professor of Sociology and Head of Sociology at University of Delhi has deposited her lifelong collection of Patua scrolls at Colombo Institute. The Patuas are a well-known artisan community located mostly in the Indian state of West Bengal, but also found in parts of Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha and in parts of Bangladesh.
The scrolls depict in narrative form various stories including Indian epics such as the Ramayana as well as day to day situations as well as politics. But these are interpretations of these folk artists and not hegemonic depictions of epics, local stories or news. The collection will be open for viewing and study, and will be a focal point for the study of folklore and visual culture in the region.
For more information please write to: info@colomboinstitute.lk
