Joydeb and Moyna Chitrakar, Tsunami, Tara Books, India, 2009

A Patua scroll created by the West Bengalese artists, Moyna & Joydeb Chitrakar, about the effects of the 2004 tsunami. This is supposedly the first time one of these indigenous narrative graphic panels has been printed in the form of a book. Traditionally it would be a series of panels stitched together, from which the author/performer shared the pictures and traditional stories, as well as contemporary events. At 5'9" long and 14.5" wide this original accordion silkscreen print is a wonderful object, and a moving response to this horrific event.

This link shows the artists and investigates the tradition that these singing scrolls are a part of: Tsunami (a book by Tara Books) Copies of this book available on the internet for the astonishingly low price of $20.