Pinguli Chitrakathi

Chitrakathi paintings are part of an oral storytelling tradition, once popular in the Maharashtra-Karnataka region. 'Chitra' means painting and 'katha' is a story in any form. The tradition of combining oral narratives for telling tales, of which images are shown simultaneously with hand-painted pictures, is common to many parts of India in the form of lengthy scrolls or large painted panels. Chitrakathi developed in the form of small finely painted images about historic or religious events.

Artist Chetan Gangawane is a multi-generational Pinguli style Chitrakathi artist who has completed a Bachelor in Arts from Mumbai University and from last 20 years has been working on preserving and promoting all Thakar art forms all over India. One of his designs is available for free download as part of our Navratri Printables collection.

Thank you for celebrating Navratri with Kathith Printables!!! Please let us know here how you liked the printables.

  • The ninth day of Navratri is known as Maha Navami, and it is dedicated to Siddhidatri, the ninth form of Goddess Durga.

    Siddhidatri is believed to possess and bestow all types of Siddhis (spiritual and supernatural powers) to her devotees. On this day, people offer prayers and seek her blessings for spiritual growth and enlightenment. It is also a day when the festival of Durga Puja in West Bengal and other parts of India reaches its grand conclusion with the immersion of Durga idols.

    Devotees fast and participate in various rituals and cultural celebrations during Navratri, and on the ninth day, they break their fast after offering prayers to Siddhidatri. This marks the end of the nine-day festival, and it is followed by Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which is a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil.