Santhal Pat or Story Scroll

A crab, a lobster, a fish and a tangle of horned beasts, all on their way somewhere, with people following on behind.

This pat or story scroll is Santhal, from Jharkhand and Bihar, India, and dates to the 19th to mid 20th century. It is painted paper. Painted scrolls of this kind were generally carried by itinerant storytellers, who unrolled them a frame at a time while singing the tale. The panels here are drawn in brown outline with washes of yellow ochre and touches of red. A crowned figure with a basket stands beside sea creatures, and a large bird or tortoise with a snake rises above two standing figures. The edges show soft creases and wear. It is 188 inches wide and 7 high.

A lot of story, on a long and narrow road.