Bihar revives 18th-century Patna Kalam painting tradition

Bihar is witnessing a revival of Patna Kalam, an 18th-century art form that blended Mughal miniature techniques with European naturalism. The style, which once captured everyday Indian life, had nearly faded into obscurity. Local artists, historians, and cultural institutions are now working to revive the tradition through workshops, exhibitions, and documentation efforts. The movement aims to preserve this unique visual language that depicted scenes from bazaars, courtly life, and nature with distinctive cross-hatching and muted colors.