Orissa Pattachitra Painting

Orissa Pattachitra is one of India’s oldest and most disciplined painting traditions, originating in the sacred temple town of Puri in Odisha. Flourishing from the 12th century onward, particularly in association with the revered Jagannath Temple, this art form evolved as a devotional medium to narrate stories of Lord Jagannath, Krishna, Vishnu’s avatars, and episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

The word “Pattachitra” combines Patta (cloth) and Chitra (painting), reflecting its traditional technique of painting on treated cloth. Artists prepare the surface by layering cotton fabric with tamarind-seed paste and chalk, then polishing it to create a smooth, leather-like texture. Natural pigments derived from flowers, stones, minerals, and vegetables are used to achieve rich, earthy colours. The defining characteristics of Pattachitra include bold, clean outlines, intricate decorative borders, stylized eyes, ornamental detailing, and flat, rhythmic compositions without perspective.

Motifs often depict mythological narratives, divine figures, floral scrollwork, and symbolic forms such as the Tree of Life. Every element is intentional — from the disciplined linework to the structured symmetry — reflecting spiritual order and cultural continuity.

In a contemporary collection, Orissa Pattachitra bridges heritage and modern interiors, offering artworks that are not only visually striking but deeply symbolic. Each painting carries forward centuries of devotional storytelling, transforming walls into spaces of tradition, balance, and timeless Indian artistry.