Kolkatar Kathkhodai by Asit Pal [Hardcover]

Some discussions about the Bottala prints have already been made by several distinguished historians. My edited book, Woodcut Prints of 19th Century Calcutta, was published in 1983, nearly thirty-seven years ago. The primary purpose of publishing this book after such a long gap is that, over the years, many new pieces of information and images have come to light through further research. It also made me realize that the woodcut artists of Bottala and the art created in the Bottala enclave are increasingly deserving of recognition as part of Kolkata's cultural identity. On the foundation they laid, many others have come to express their art in the future. Though these artists slowly faded into the mists of time, their work continued to inspire future generations of artists.

In the global artistic landscape, the recognition of graphic art by Indian modern artists was significant. Similarly, the Bottala prints, made by self-taught artists in Kolkata, also inspired modern artists from other parts of the world. The Bottala style, which evolved from self-taught artists, was later transformed by formally trained artists, who attempted to reshape it according to their own vision, though they felt the need for something more. However, in the first half of the twentieth century, a group of modern artists brought global recognition to graphic art as a legitimate form of artistic expression.

This book discusses the works of both self-taught and formally trained artists over a span of nearly one hundred and fifty years.