A Spectacular Folk Art From Odisha: Pattachitra

From Sanskrit, Pattachitra developed. Patta means fabric and Chitra means image when divided down into its two halves. Pattachitra is hence an image painted on a fabric piece. 

This art style is strongly linked to the Shri Jagannath cults and the Puri temple traditions. It is one of the most popular live art forms and people in Odisha are still doing it now, believed to be originated as far back as the 12th century.

                                                     

Nearly majority of the community of Chitrakar comes from a hamlet in Raghurajpur in Puri district. This is also the only hamlet in India where every family is involved in crafts such as paints, wooden toys, gravures, etc. 

The Chitrakars use a traditional preparation method for Pattachitra painting. A delicate gauze-like cotton fabric is produced of tamarind seeds and covered with white stone powder. This prepares the canvass, consisting of natural colors, to take the paint. These hues have a special Pattachitra characteristic. The primary constituent is the kaitha tree, which is utilised for the production of various colors by combining raw ingredients.

Mostly icon painting is Pattachitra. The Badhia (presentation of the temple of Jagannath); Krishna Lila (presenting of Jagannath as the Lord Krishna as his child); Dasabatara Patti (ten Lord Vishnu avatars) and Panchamukhi are among the prominent subjects in this sacred art; (a depiction of Lord Ganesh as a five-headed deity). 

The deities are expected to take a bath with 108 pots of cool water each year on Debasnana Purnima at Puri Jagannath Temple to combat the summer heat. Then for a period of 15 days, called Anasara, the deities reportedly get ill.

As a result of the absence from public insight, the three Pattachitas, namely Lord Jagannath, Dess Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra, are brought together to produce three paintings of the three deities for public reverence. The name of this artwork is Ansar Patti.

It is a disciplined type of art with its own set of rules and constraints. A flowery border, as well as the usage of natural hues, are required to surround the paintings. The paintings are mostly done in profile, with extended eyes. Because of the use of such bold solid colors, the paintings end up expressing strong emotional emotions in amazing detail. After finishing a painting, the canvas is placed over a charcoal fire and lacquer is applied to the surface.

The art form has evolved and undergone noticeable modifications over the years. The Chitrakars painted on palm leaves and Tussar silk, as well as creating wall hangings and showpieces. It remains because to the strict approach of the art, maintaining the effervescence of the aesthetic Pattachitra. The fascinating folk paintings are well-known across the world, and the establishment of centres to educate the art form in Odisha says volumes about its constancy and appeal.