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Shiva forms an important part of Chalchitra sometimes in relief. Centrally placed he is found in different postures and moods. He is found playing a Vina, smoking ganja, dancing, riding Nandi (his ox) and even sleeping
In older days when the length of the chalies were more, stories from Mahabharata and Ramayana, besides pictures of Dashamahabidya of Durga, Asthanayika, Asthasakhi, Dashabatar of Vishnu etc. were painted.

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When making a chalchitra a patua has to keep in mind the religious background of the family. For a Shakta (worshipper of mother goddess) family the tiger would retain its original form, while for a Baishnava family the same lion would look like a white horse, a form of the Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu.

Blue is used as a base with a few exceptions of pink ones. The figures are generally painted in reds. Other colours used are yellow, green, pink and black. In some occasions the chali used to be divided with dark margins like "Choukopots" having images like Narada, Narayana, Shiva, Indra Brahma. In some other region the figures are

found to be floting. But in all cases only the profile of the figures are shown. Lack of patronage has brought a decline to this lively art. Besides as the challis are generally immersed with the idols no legacy is found. Present day artists are inferior in talent as they have lack of in depth knowledge of Puranas. Besides a few Royal houses of Bengal and a few traditional houses and museums there is always unawareness for its preservation among common people. Nowadays Chalchira is used as a part of decoration with a few common decorative motives.