Santhal Patachitra

The Patua painters or Chitrakars had to both create and perform their paintings without the use of any musical instruments, which led them to write songs, sing and compose a melody. The role of the patua painter became crucial in spreading socially relevant messages.
The Jadupatuas (Jadu meaning magic) developed an uncanny insight into the life and culture of Santhals due to a long passage of interaction between the two communities. The Jadupatua folk artists with Santhal Tribal communities in Eastern India have produced an art genre having elements from the cultures of folk artists and their Tribal patrons.
Santhal scroll painting is an art form that is not devoid of life. It is not alienated but takes life and death as natural processes. The Jadupatua brings the dead person to life through his painting that suggests that life and death are not separate. In many ways, the Santhal philosophy on the concepts of life and death are very contemporary.