Kolkata, West Bengal

Kalighat Pat (Kalighat Painting)

Kalighat Patachitra, or Kalighat Pat, is a distinctive style of Indian painting that originated in the 19th century around the Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata, where patuas (scroll painters) sold painted images of deities to pilgrims. Paintings are made on mill-made paper with flowing brushwork, bold opaque colours and strong black outlines, mostly depicting religious and mythological themes. The style was later embraced by modern masters like Jamini Roy and is displayed in collections worldwide. Today the pats and their reproductions remain one of Kolkata's signature art souvenirs.

Typical price: ₹200-10000

Buying tip: Small pats and print reproductions are the practical purchase; ask the seller about paper, pigments and whether it is an original hand-painted pat or a print.