Pattachitra

Pattachitra means "picture on cloth." The art form originated in temple rituals over a thousand years ago, when artists used painted scrolls to depict stories of the gods. It developed in the eastern provinces of Odisha and West Bengal.

The style differs by region. In Odisha, artists use fine lines and elaborate borders. They depict Jagannath and Vaishnava legends on cloth stiffened with tamarind gum and stone powder, using brushes made from squirrel hair.

In West Bengal, the strokes are bolder and the outlines thicker. Patuas, the artists of this tradition, sing the scrolls as they paint them, a practice known as Pater Gaan. A related form, Tala Pattachitra, is etched onto palm leaves rather than painted on cloth. Kalighat Pattachitra is a further variation that combines mythological scenes with satirical depictions of colonial society. Today, Pattachitra has travelled well beyond temple walls and pilgrim souvenirs. It occasionally even takes on modern subjects like environmental concerns, proving that an ancient art form can still find new things to say.