The process of using patachitras as performative art most likely dates to the Pala era of around 10th century CE that gained greater popularity during the 15th -18th century CE. The patuas or patachitra artisans during this period would travel from one village to another holding shows, while especially visiting the palaces and mansions of rich zamindars and wealthy merchants during various pujas and other religious ceremonies.
The scrolls or patachitras, which were hand-painted on palm leaves, handmade paper, or clothes, were long narratives that often stretched to more than 20 feet. During a show the patuas would set their colourful scrolls, slowly unfolding one pata at a time as the narrative went (stories from Chandi Mangal, Manasa Mangal, Ramayan, etc.), and singing songs in praises of the deity being worshipped, as the overwhelmed mostly illiterate peasant folks saw and learned about their religious and cultural practices.
The Bengal patachitra can be categorized into various types based on their differences in style, such as, Durga Pat, Chalchitra, Medinipur Patachitra, Kalighat Patachitra, and the Tribal patachitras.
