Exploring Patachitra: Historical and Technical Insights
- Pokhraj Guha
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
PATACHITRA........................
Patachitra is one of the most ancient and culturally rich folk art traditions of India, originating in the states of Odisha and West Bengal. The term "Patachitra" comes from the Sanskrit words patta (cloth) and chitra (picture), meaning “pictures on cloth.” Its history dates back to the 5th century BCE, with visual and stylistic elements evident in the murals of Ajanta Caves, and its formal association with the Jagannath cult in Odisha solidified around the 12th century CE with the construction of the Jagannath Temple at Puri. The paintings were used in religious practices, especially during the Anasara period, when the deities are not available for darshan, and their representations are painted on cloth as sacred substitutes.
The base for Patachitra painting is traditionally prepared from old cotton cloth, recycled for its softness and flexibility. Two or more layers are pasted together using a glue made by boiling tamarind seeds into a thick paste. Once dried, the cloth is coated with a mixture of chalk powder (khadi mati) and natural gum (from tamarind or neem trees). This coating is applied in multiple layers and then burnished with smooth stones or seashells to achieve a leathery, polished finish, creating an ideal non-porous surface for painting. In the palm leaf Patachitra of Odisha, instead of cloth, carefully cut and sun-dried palm leaves are stitched together and etched with fine iron styluses.
What makes Patachitra truly unique is its 100% natural color palette, drawn from minerals, vegetables, and other organic sources, and mixed with plant-based binders to ensure longevity. The process is labor-intensive and demonstrates deep environmental knowledge. White is prepared from ground conch shells, black from lamp soot or burnt coconut shells, red from hingula (cinnabar) or red ochre, yellow from haritala (arsenic trisulfide) or turmeric, blue from fermented indigo leaves, and green from a blend of indigo and turmeric or haritala. These pigments are mixed with natural adhesives like tamarind gum or neem resin and applied to the cloth. The colors are sun-dried, stored in coconut shells or earthen pots, and kept airtight.
For painting, a small amount is mixed with water and gum to ensure smooth application. The Patachitra style involves bold, confident line work followed by the application of flat areas of color without shading, giving the paintings their iconic, two-dimensional look. Brushes are hand-made using date palm fibers, squirrel tail hair, or calf hair, depending on the required fineness. Artists begin with a rough sketch using red or yellow pigment and then outline the entire composition with black. Once the painting is completed, it is often finished with a natural lacquer coating made by heating resin from local trees, which adds shine and protects the painting from moisture and insects.
The Chitrakar families of Raghurajpur, a heritage crafts village near Puri, have been practicing this art for generations, maintaining the traditional techniques of natural color making. Odisha's Patachitra is centered around stories from Jagannath Mahatmya, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Krishna Leela. In West Bengal, the scroll-based Pat painting tradition is prevalent in regions like Midnapore and Birbhum, where it is intertwined with oral storytelling, known as Pater Gaan. These scrolls are often painted with moral tales, social messages, or mythological stories, and are performed in villages during fairs and festivals. In 2008, Odisha Patachitra was granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, recognizing its cultural and regional significance. Today, this living art form is recognized globally and preserved by families of traditional painters in heritage villages like Raghurajpur. It is also supported by organizations such as INTACH, Crafts Council of India, and promoted through national and international exhibitions.
References:
“Patachitra – The Traditional Art of Odisha,” Odisha Tourism (odishatourism.gov.in)
“Folk and Tribal Art of India” by Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Ministry of External Affairs
Craft Traditions of India, IGNCA (Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts)
“Patachitra Painting,” Sahapedia (sahapedia.org)
“Scroll Paintings of Bengal,” by Ritu Bhattacharjee, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
Which one of the below paintings depict Bengal Folk Art
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