Some unique Patachitra paintings
Patachitra is pride of Orissa. Entire stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata and stories about Krishna are painted on palm leaves, using natural colors. In ancient time these were used to perform some rituals at Puri Jagannath temple. Slowly it has turned into an art form.
Recently I visited an exhibition, there I could see some unique Patachitra Paintings:
The below one is about Krishna’s Childhood and Rasaleela. The rasaleele is at the centre and Krishna’s life incidents are painted on the borders.
Krishna’s Childhood
The below one is Patachitra painting of Ganesha. The centre has Ganesha and on the borders story about Ganesha’s birth are painted in circles
Ganesha and his birth story
Next three are about Dashavatara. In the below one Dashavataras are painted on peacock feather. Very beautiful concept.
Dashavatara on peacock feathers
In the below one Dashavataras are painted in the shape of counch:
Dashavatara on counch (Shankha)
And in the below one, Dashavatara is painted in a Kalasha:
Dashavatara in Kalasha
Normally patachitras are painted on palm leaves. The palme leaves are engraved using a tool and natural black color is rubbed on that. Some artists use natural colors and paint it on tussar silk as well as palm leaves. Here are some of those,
Puri Jagannath idols painted on palm leaves using natural colors
Shri Rama Pattabhisheka (Crowning ceremony of Lord Shri Raam)
Dashavatara painted with natural colors on palm leaves
The below one is on silk cloth . Shri Krishna and Radha on elephant. The elephant painted comprise of several Gopikas. I don’t know what is artist’s imagination about this paint .
Patachitra on Tussar silk cloth
Also read : Patachitra- Paintings that narrate stories
Love, Laugh and live the life to the fullest,
-Ranjana
