Lithographs from Chitra Shala Press Poona

Jehangir (1880-1900) Medium: Chromolithograph Chitra Shala Press Poona Size: 20 n x 14 n Late nineteenth century was the era which witnessed an unprecedented demand for the prints of Hindu mythological subjects. It would be apposite to note that Calcutta Art Studio was not the only press in India which ventured to ride on this wave but there were other presses as well. Situated in Western India, for e.g. Chitrapriyaprakash Press (Bombay) and Chitra Shala Press, Poona, dominated the scene. Chitra Shala Poona was started in the year 1878 by Vishnu Krishna Chiplunkar who is said to have tremendous influence in shaping Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s ideology towards achieving Indian freedom. The press, at that time, was just a small part of a broad political portfolio of Chiplunkar. Nevertheless, right from its very first lithographic prints, Chitra Shala lithographs were considered more captivating than those coming out from Calcutta Art Studio, thus effortlessly leading Chitra Shala lithographs to achieve enviable popularity. Chitra Shala continued to produce lithographs of Hindu mythological subjects e.g. Rampanchayatam, Shivapanchayatam, etc., alongside Maratha rulers i.e. Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa and other former rulers of India. These lithographs were well received in the pre-Independence era, bestowing a kind of cult status to Chitra Shala lithographs.