Eastern Indian provinces like Odisha and West Bengal, as well as parts of Bangladesh, are major centers for the ancient art of patachitra or pattachitra, a scroll painting style that uses fabric. The intricate patterns and engraved legendary and folktale tales that characterize pattachitra painting are world-renowned. The ancient Odia art form known as pattachitra was originally created for use in ceremonies and to be given as presents to guests of Puri and other Odia temples. Traditional patachitras were initially used as visual aids during musical performances in Bengali storytelling.

An example of traditional art from the Indian state of Odisha is the pattachitra. These mythological Hindu artworks owe a great deal to the Vaishnava religion and its central figure, Jagannath. Chitrakaras is an Odiya painter who makes all of her artwork by hand using traditional methods and exclusively natural colors. The pattachitra painting technique is one of the oldest and most famous art styles in Odisha.

What is Pattachitra Art?

The traditional painting style known as pattachitra art has its roots in the Indian state of Odisha. It is a type of fabric-based scroll painting that portrays many myths and legends.

Natural colors are utilized to create the intricate patterns in pattachitra paintings, which are produced on a canvas made of cloth or palm leaf. The paintings frequently depict issues from Hindu mythology, together with the tale of Lord Krishna, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. They frequently include ambitious strains, exceptional colorings, and meticulous craftsmanship.

Sanskrit phrases “patta,” which means that cloth, and “chitra,” which denotes a photo or portray, are blended to form the name Pattachitra. The art shape has been practised for more than 1000 years, and plenty of households in Odisha nonetheless bypass it down from one generation to the following.

Pattachitra artwork is not just beautiful to observe; it additionally has cultural and religious significance. It is often utilised inside the décor of temples and houses and is seen as a form of worship. Pattachitra artwork has come to be more famous in present day times, now not simply in India however additionally outside. Several artists have given the conventional artwork style a present-day spin.

How did pattachitra painting evolve and what is its legacy?

Pattachitra is a world-renowned visual storytelling art form that originated in India.  This elaborate art form sprang from the sacred area of Odisha more than a thousand years ago, fueled by devotion and mythology.  The traditional medium—scrolls or fabric canvases—painted by hand is described by the word Pattachitra, which derives from pata (cloth) and chitra (painting).

One of the earliest art forms to emerge from Pattachitra is Pattachitra art, which is also the name of the art form.  Images of fascinating characters and stories from Hindu mythology’s ancient past were depicted in this form of painting.  The characteristic vibrant colors and Italian craftsmanship of Pattachitra paintings are easy to distinguish. A Pattachitra portray is the satisfactory option in case you are seeking to enhance your private home with a one-of-a-type work of Indian artwork. The Hindu religion and religion are fantastically and uniquely celebrated in these artworks through inclusive of Indian rituals, ideals, and customs.

What Makes Pattachitra Art Unique?

The following traits make pattachitra art unique and culturally significant:

• Pattachitra art is made using ancient methods passed down through generations of craftspeople.  Natural colors from minerals, plants, and other organic materials give the paintings an earthy character.
• Pattachitra painting is known for its delicate detailing caused by small, precise strokes with fine brushes.  The artists painstakingly analyze every detail to accurately depict mythological scenes in their paintings.
• Canvas made of cloth: Pattachitra art is unusual since it is done on cloth or palm leaves.  Preparing the canvas with chalk and tamarind seed paste smooths it for painting.
• When it comes to culture and religion, people in Odisha, the state where Pattachitra art was first made, hold it in high regard.  Often used to decorate temples and homes, the paintings depict Hindu mythology.
• Pattachitra art is traditional, but many modern painters have adapted it.  Their innovative interpretations of classic art utilizing modern technologies and materials bring it into contemporary culture.

What is the Process for Making Pattachitra Art?

Making Pattachitra art requires a lot of time, energy, and specialized equipment.  What follows is an overview of the steps involved in creating Pattachitra art:

1. Canvas crafted from fabric or palm leaves
2. Use chalk and tamarind seed paste to prepare the canvas.
3. A spectrum of colors created by living organisms, including plants, minerals, and humans.
4. Delicate brushes
5. A black pen

 What to do:

• Once the fabric or palm leaf canvas is cut to size, a combination of tamarind seed paste and chalk is applied.  The result is a smooth surface that is ideal for painting.
• The artist creates the design on the canvas using black ink.  Depending on the artist, the pattern might be a modern take on an old Pattachitra motif.
• The artist applies organic-looking colors on the canvas using tiny brushes.  Layers of color are often applied, with a little space between each coat to let the paint dry.  Vibrant, brilliant colors often accompany the painstaking craftsmanship.
• After finishing a painting, the artist may use a resin varnish to preserve and bring out the colors and shine.

The following are some broad strokes of the processes involved in making Pattachitra art; however, various subtleties and variations can take place based on the artist and the piece of art in question.  In addition to years of training and experience, Pattachitra artists need a deep understanding of the religious and cultural importance of the art form to create works of art.

Various forms of Pattachitra art exist; what are they?

Different styles of Pattachitra art have their own unique look.  The following are the most popular types:

• Most people are familiar with traditional Pattachitra, which is based on designs that have been passed down through many generations.  Legendary tales and stories are often shown in these paintings, which are known for their bright, striking colors and careful attention to detail.
• A subset of Pattachitra art known as Ganjapa Pattachitra originally emerged in Odisha’s Ganjam region.  These paintings are typically smaller and done on circular pieces of cloth, unlike classic Pattachitra paintings.  Ganjapa Pattachitra is known for his depictions of Hindu epic figures, a lot of whom appear in the Mahabharata.

• Tala Pattachitra: This fashion of Pattachitra painting is performed on palm leaf canvases.  These paintings are characterized through tricky, miniature themes and are often smaller in size than conventional Pattachitra artwork.
• Durga Pattachitra: This form of Pattachitra art showcases a photograph of the respected Hindu goddess Durga.  These artwork regularly depict the Durga Puja festival; an annual event celebrated in India.
• Jhoti Pattachitra: This is a kind of Pattachitra art this is made with rice paste.  The paste is commonly used to create problematic styles and decorations at the walls and flooring of houses throughout festivals and other celebrations.

Legendary Images and Stories in Pattachitra Art

The mythologies, spiritual stories, and cultural narratives shown in Pattachitra paintings have stood the test of time.  Fans and art lovers adore each image for its religious significance and artistic brilliance.  Artists create and replicate various stunning themes on Pattachitra canvases.  However, few Pattachitra paintings are classics of their technique and beauty.

Sri Jagannatha and the Holy Trinity

Pattachitra art, which originated in Jagannatha Puri, has honored the Lord of the World.  Sri Jagannatha, alone or with Balarama and Subhadra, enormous Pattachitra paintings of Jagannatha Ratha Yatra, and paintings of the Lord’s many sringaar (ornamentation) are popular themes due to their spiritual and artistic beauty.

Ganesha: Lord of Blessed Beginnings

The lucky God Sri Ganesha is revered in Indian art.  Pattachitra paintings often depict Ganapati’s Nritya Ganapati and Dashabhuja, or ten-armed Ganesha, highlighting his delightful elegance and cosmic strength.  With arches, heavenly beings, and followers worshiping before him, Ganesha in Pattachitra is one of the most gorgeous images.

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Comparing Odisha and Bengal Pattachitra: Essential Highlights

Depending on its place of origin, Pattachitra art is now registered under one of two designations.  ‘Odisha Pattachitra’ refers to those that are modeled after the style and themes of Odisha art, whilst ‘Bengal Patachitra’ describes its West Bengali counterpart.  Natural colors have long been associated with Pattachitra paintings.

Pattachitra paintings are well-liked all over West Bengal, even though they were originally from Odisha.  The use of cotton materials in Odisha’s Pattachitra paintings is the most noticeable distinction between them and their West Bengal counterparts, which feature silk.  During musical performances in West Bengal, Pattachitra paintings served as visual accompaniment.

Pattachitra painters in West Bengal are called “Chitrakar,” and the most of them reside in the Medinipur district’s Naya village.  Khandu, Radha, and their seven children are some of the most famous Pattachitra artists.  Among them, their daughter Monimala stands out for creating her own brand of Pattachitra art with a palette of bright, primordial hues.

Conclusion

A combination of the Sanskrit words patta (canvas) and chitra (image) is what gives rise to the name Pattachitra.  Canvas paintings known as pattachitra often depict simple subjects with innovative motifs and designs and finely applied colors. These subjects are often legendary in origin.  The traditions of pattachitra painting are over a millennium old. The “pattachitra” artwork is evocative of Odisha’s ancient murals, which may be seen in places of worship around the 5th century BC in the Puri, Konark, and Bhubaneshwar areas.  You can find the greatest work in the Puri area, especially in the village of Raghurajpur.