Pattachitra is an art form that is native to the state of Orissa and dates back to over a thousand years. It is essentially a painting done on canvas, and is manifested by rich colourful application, creative motifs and designs, and portrayal of simple themes, mostly mythological in depiction. It also includes a wide variety of art forms such as colour on canvas, etching on palm leaf scrolls and m
ay others. Amongst these, a very specialized form of the pattachitra is the Palm leaf Pattachitra. Palm leaf pattachitra which is in Oriya language known as Tala Pattachitra drawn on palm leaf. First of all palm leaves are left for becoming hard after being taken from tree. Then these are sewn together to form like a canvas. The images are traced by using black or white ink to fill grooves etched on rows of equal-sized panels of palm leaf that are sewn together. These panels can also be easily folded like a fan and packed in a compact pile for better conservation. Often palm-leaf illustrations are more elaborated, obtaining by superimposing layers that are glued together for most of the surface, but in some areas can open like small windows to reveal a second image under the first layer. The craftsmanship is exquisite and so unique that at times it needs to be seen with the naked eye to realize and grasp the sheer beauty and intricacies of the work. Here at Odraart, we give you the opportunity to experience and own an exquisite piece of history otherwise known as pattachitra.
