Pattachitra is a combination of the Sanskrit terms "chitra," which means picture, and "patta," which means fabric. It is thought to have started as early as the 12th century, making it one of the most illustrious and ancient historical art styles.
Painting in the Pattachitra style is one of the oldest and most popular kind of art, primarily done in West Bengal and Odisha. Odisha was referred to as Utkala, or the "land of excellence in art and craft," during the prehistoric and medieval eras. Odisha's rich cultural legacy is reflected in the art forms, which in turn reflect a tradition that endures in the imaginative works of the craftsmen.
The principal source of inspiration for the icon paintings created by the Pattachitra artists, sometimes referred to as chitrakars, was Hindu mythology. The theme of Odia paintings revolves around the Vaishnava faith and Jagannath. Since the beginning of Pattachitra culture, Lord Jagannath, a manifestation of Lord Krishna, has served as its main source of inspiration.
Pattachitra painting is a disciplined art form, and its practitioners consistently work with natural materials. Through the use of rich, colorful patterns, the Chitrakars strive to be the most precise expression possible. As a consequence, they create amazing paintings that portray a variety of subjects, including emotions, stories, history, culture, and more. The Chitrakars endeavor to present the most authentic expression through the use of rich and vivid patterns. In most cases, there are no distant views, landscapes, or perspectives. Every occurrence is shown side by side. The Pattachitra style is the outcome of fusing classical and traditional elements.
One of the most well-known Pattachitra artists is Raghunath Mohapatra, a well-liked sculptor and recipient of the Padma Shri award. In addition to being a well-known Pattachitra artist, he is also noted for creating a sculpture of the sun god that stands six feet tall.
Pattachitra does not use conventional color schemes. Crayons, poster colors, watercolor, oil paints, and crayons are not allowed. Rather, Pattachitra makes its hues from a range of natural materials, such as minerals, stones, and vegetables. For example, Pattachitra's whites are made from conch shells. The shells are boiled, pounded into a powder, and then filtered before being used. Red color originates from the mineral hingula. Haritala, a locally recognized yellow stone, is ground to create yellow paints. Pattachitra artists apply soot or burnt coconut shells to create their color on black subjects. To paint Pattachitras, five natural colors namely, Shankha (white), Kajal (black), Haritala (yellow), Hingula (vermillion), and Geru (Indian red) are used. Odisha's folk painters and saints draw comparisons and contrasts between these five primary hues and the heavenly colors associated with the chakras of Jagannatha, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sihasana, and Neela. Pancha Tattva, or the five elements, is the term used to describe them. In addition, every character's Rasa in a story is represented by their color.
Since the beginning of Pattachitra paintings, Lord Jagannath—who is revered as an avatar of Lord Krishna—has been the main source of inspiration. Pattachitra's main areas of interest are mythology, religious stories, and culture. Lord Jagannath and Radha-Krishna, the different "Vesas" of Shri Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra temple activities, the ten incarnations of Vishnu, and stories from the "Gita Govinda" of Jayadev, Kama Kujara, Navagunjara, Ramayana, and Mahabharata are among the principal subjects covered in the stories. Some more themes covered in this art form are, Thia Badhia: An image of the Jagannath temple, Krishna Lila – An enactment of Lord Jagannath as a child displaying his powers, Dasavatara Patti: Lord Vishnu in ten avatars, and Panchamukhi – Depiction of Lord Ganesh as a five-headed deity.
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