The Patua-Plus Project in rural West Bengal, India is an innovative, arts-based HIV communication and stigma reduction initiative. It is a collaborative effort between MAKE ART/STOP AIDS, a local caste of artisan scroll-painters known as Patua, and SPARSHA, a Kolkata-based coalition of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their friends. Early evaluation of this project indicates that it has been particularly effective in combating stigma against PLWHA in rural areas, a necessary first step in encouraging individuals to seek testing or treatment. In the intervention, Patua and health workers collaborate as a team to educate village members about HIV/AIDS. The scroll-painter commands the audience’s attention through song, relating a story dealing with HIV while unrolling the scroll to reveal illustrations of the tale. Community health workers follow this with open-ended question and answer sessions.

Topics covered by the Patua songs include:
1) HIV/AIDS transmission and care;
2) Stories of people living with HIV/AIDS to address stigma;
3) Discussion of responsible sexuality;
4) A new vision of how HIV positive people can live long and live well.

Through the Patua-Plus Project, MAKE ART/STOP AIDS has reinvigorated this exquisite traditional art form, as the artists have revealed a large market for these stunning scrolls. Results have been mutually beneficial, as the community becomes educated about HIV/AIDS and the Patua earn a viable income.

The expanded Patuas-Plus Project, launched in 2007, serves a greater number of villages. As there are a limited number of Patua available to participate in this project, new art forms have been identified and adapted for use in this intervention.

At UCLA in 2008, a scroll-painter by the name of Gurupada Chitrakar was on hand to perform his scrolls at AIDS|SIDA: Global Updates, Art and Performance, a symposium on the arts and HIV/AIDS issues featuring regional artwork.

The project is now moving towards self-sufficiency. Dr. Samiran Panda, head of SPARSHA spearheads the current incarnation, entitled Art and Testimonial: A Unique Community-Based Approach to Reduce Stigma in the Villages of West Bengal. Though remaining similar in design and intent, this program falls under the aegis of SPARSHA, with consulting support from the UCLA Art | Global Health Center.

This project was made possible in part by support from UNAIDS, UNESCO, Ford Foundation, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, and the World Bank

For more pictures on this project, please click here

Reading: Telling Stories to Change the World