Folk art in India is one of the most primitive of all art forms. Quintessentially indigenous in form and expression, folk art has been in practice in India since time immemorial. Patachitra paintings belongs to the genre of folk art, especially that of Orissa. It is marked by the use of resplendent hues and strong lines. Patachitra differs from other traditional formats of painting in many ways. A vivid attention to detail is normally made in this exceptional graphic art. There are strong religious connotations with Patachitra paintings. This form of painting basically deals with themes from Hindu mythology.
Patachitra paintings are grafted on cotton or silk materials. The canvas is pasted on paper with adhesives. A mixture of tamarind seed paste and chalk is coated to give the surface leather like finish. The tamarind seed paste is immersed in water overnight to give it a sticky feel. Many painters opt for rice powder so that the admixture stays glued to the canvas. The end product is not just pleasing to look at, but is of great material worth as well. This form of ethnic Indian painting is extremely popular with the overseas customers from the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Any art form is bound to excel when it is practiced by a single cult.
This is very much the reason for Patachitra gaining so much popularity over the years. It follows an ancestral line in many parts of Orissa. The painters with their families usually reside near the temples and places of worship.
Dandasahi and Raghurajpur were the two main creative hubs where Patachitra paintings flourished during the early days. The chief exponents lived in these areas before they settled themselves in other centers around the state. Today, places such as Sambalpur, Bolangir and Ganjam are home to many craftsmen, who earn their living by creating this splendid form of folk painting.
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Once the canvas is ready, the painter draws the outline with bold lines. Normally noisy colors are used to give it a striking trait. When contrasted with strong hues, the main composition looks all the more beguiling. The act of coloring the backdrop of the canvas is known as 'pahili ranga bhara' or the maiden coloring. The background is normally colored in red. It is followed by the drawing of figures and patterns. The rest of the coloring is done once the main theme is established. It might be noted that black has a major role to play in Patachitra paintings. It is used sparingly to define the central theme of the painting.
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