‘Chitra’ in Hindi means painting and ‘katha’ means a story in any form.
Now, Chitrakathi is the rare combination of art and storytelling which represents a special art form of Maharashtra.
The village of Pinguli, near Kudal in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, is home to the few families who practise the art.
Chitrakathi artists hail from the Thakar tribe who not only create paintings, but are also performers, composing the songs that tell stories, and performing them to music.
By modulating their voice to create dialogue and drama, the performance is also backed by vocals and playing traditional musical instruments.