Fish marriage scene: Santhal-Tribal Pattachitra by Manoranjan Chitrakar

Manoranjan Chitrakar in his Santhal Tribal Pattachitra beautifully depicts the fish marriage scene and the big fish with two fishes inside it. In Santhal culture, the fish marriage scene symbolizes a ritual or cultural event where fish are revered or considered sacred. Fish is an important source of food for the Santhal people, and as such, they have developed rituals and ceremonies around fishing and consumption. The big fish with two fishes inside represents the idea of the family unit or the interconnectedness of different generations within a family. The larger fish symbolize the parent or head of the family, while the two smaller fish inside represent children or the next generation. This motif also symbolizes protection and nurturing. The larger fish is seen as a guardian or provider for the smaller fish within, emphasizing the role of parents in caring for their offspring.