| Patachitra |    |
| Patachitra : Patachitra PatachitraPatachitra : Besides mural paintings, there are miniature paintings which are called patachitras. Pattas are now used as wall hangings. The subject matter of Patta paintings is limited to religious themes. The stories of Rama and Krishna are usually depicted on the Pattas. Rasa Lila, Vastra Haran, Kaliya Dalan are some of the recurring themes of Patta art. Pata Chitra of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, the Navagrahas and the deities are also famous. In some parts of Orissa, during marriage ceremonies, Patta chitras of Durga and Mahadev are used. The traditional art of Patachitra was practised by the Mahapatra or the Maharana (Professional Painters) caste. Their work flourished with the patronage of the temples, for which they created religious paintings -particularly of Lord Jagannath. Even today, they are mostly created on Ghumurara dance and Sambalpuri dance. The Chitrakaras also traditionally have the important tasks of repainting the Jagannath Temple, deities and chariots every year. Ganjapa, circular playing cards, created by the chitrakaras, are a collector's item. Vividly coloured, they depict a fine sense of traditional aesthetics. The pattachitra artists have revived a lost art and tourists can see this fascinating and detailed form of painting and etching being recreated at the deft hands of craftsmen at the Raghurajpur artist's village, near Puri. |
