Painting Resistance: Reimagining Power through the Iconography of Rani Lakshmibai

Participants are introduced to two defining visual traditions of the era: Kalighat paintings and colonial-era lithographic prints. While Kalighat artists utilised bold, minimalist styles and satirical themes like the Babu-Bibi series to critique changing societal norms, mass-produced lithographs democratised art, transforming historical figures like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi into widely recognised national icons of patriotism and courage.

Through close observation and comparative analysis, attendees will decode how specific visual elements—such as posture, gesture, color, and composition—communicate themes of leadership, authority, and strength. The workshop concludes with creating an own artwork, applying these historical visual languages to a contemporary context. By reinterpreting these traditional styles, participants will reflect on modern challenges requiring collective action, reinforcing the enduring role of art as a dynamic catalyst for social change.