1. In Bengal, in the vicinity of pilgrimage center of the temple of Kalighat, local village scroll painters (called patuas) and potters (called kumors in eastern India and kumhars in north India) began developing a new style of art.

• They moved from the surrounding villages into Calcutta in the early 19th century as at this time the city was expanding as “a commercial and administrative center.
• The city appeared as a place of opportunity where people could come to make a new living and get new patrons and new buyers of their art.

2. Before the 19th century, the village patuas and kumors had worked on mythological themes and produced images of gods and goddesses.

• With the rapid changes coming in social values, tastes, norms and customs, Kalighat artists responded by painting social and political themes.