Chitrakar refers to a low caste group of Muslim artists. They are very adept at classical Indian art forms in painting scrolls, walls and murals. Most live in India’s state of West Bengal, especially in Kolkata.
Chitrakar art styles depict mythological and religious themes. Other artists depict common daily events regarding social issues. Sometimes their paintings are about historical events. They are respected for their ability to preserve traditional art forms and their contribution to India’s art scene. The Indian government has made effort to provide educational support for this community to help them rise economically.
The Chitrakar people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.
Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.
In most of the Muslim world, common people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well they live on a daily basis. For that reason, some Muslims appease spirits using charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces. More orthodox Muslims consider these practices heretical and un-Islamic.
Muslim Chitrakar people need to put their trust and identity in the hands of the loving God of Creation who sent his son to make it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God.
Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Chitrakar.
Pray God will have mercy on the Chitrakar, doing whatever it takes to place them in a position to receive him.
Ask God to open the hearts of the Chitrakar to the gospel.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.
Scripture Prayers for the Chitrakar (Muslim traditions) in India.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
