Communal Narratives of West Bengal: Re-presenting the Cultural Hegemony

The study attempts to revisit the traditional art forms, rituals and customs prevalent in WestBengal. The information is transmitted into cultural artefacts and translated while unveiling the cultural differences that they share with their modern counterparts. Representations in films and television provide a stark comparison with not so popular beliefs of Ghetu Gai and Bohurupi appearing before Charak puja in West Bengal. The subsequent struggles are also seen when Patachitra artists and occurrence of Terracota tiles redefines cultural diversity of indigenous art forms. The assimilation and amalgamation purviews its arena through cultural translation and its mediation into popular culture. The production and distribution sustains the story telling experiences of indigenous people and preserve their beliefs and traditions.