Different styles of Pattachitra Artwork

Pattachitra: A journey through four artistic traditions

Table of content

Odisha

Bengal

Santhal

Kalighat

Similarities

Differences

Conclusion

Odisha Pattachitra, Bengal Pattachitra, Santhal Pattachitra and Kalighat

We all have seen paintings on canvas or paper, but a painting on cloth is something we have not necessarily heard of. The technique of preparing paintings on cloth is common to many traditional Indian paintings. In a world full of fascinating art forms, one is called Pattachitra. It is a kind of art we cannot take our eyes off. Painted with detailed intricate patterns with bold lines, and full of mythological and religious narrations, it is truly the epitome of what we call ART! However, what exactly Pattachitra art form is? Let’s find out about this in great detail.

The word “Pattachitra” is derived from the Sanskrit language, Patta means cloth and Chitra is a picture. It translates as a picture painted on a fabric. The Pattachitra resembles the old murals at the religious sites of Puri, Konark and Bhubneshvara from the 5th century. Pattachitra as an art form is believed to have originated from the eastern provinces of Odisha and West Bengal in the 12th century. These paintings not only serve the purpose of decoration but also provide an artistic testament to our culture. It tells us about our rich mythological and folklore traditions. Initially, Pattachitra art was used for ritualistic practices in ancient temples, but gradually, it transformed into visuals of everyday life and epics (Memeraki, The Enchanting World of Pattachitra Art, 2024). Predominantly an Idol painting, Pattachitra’s popular religious themes are Badhia - The depiction of the Jagannath temple, Krisha Lila, Panchmukhi - The depiction of lord Ganesha a five-headed deity and Dashavatar - The ten incarnations of lord Vishnu (Culture trip, Pattachitra - A spectacular folk art form from Odisha, 2016). The secular themes include folk stories, stories of moral importance, and stories from the everyday life of the artists.

This art is not limited to one style. We find various regional variations, each with its unique artistry. There are different styles of Pattachitra art. Here, we will discuss four major styles: Odisha, Bengal, Santhal, and Kalighat. These four styles belong to one art form, practised in the adjacent regions, yet they share differences. Now, we will explore what makes one regional style different from another.

Odisha

This particular style is considered one of the oldest, originating from the ancient temples of Lord Jagannath of Puri. According to the legends, Odisha Pattachitra was started when Lord Jagannath and his sister Subhadhra and Brother Bhalabadra fell sick for 15 days during the Snan Yatra, and devotees could not have Darshan of their beloved god. The Idols were kept away from the public and that’s how Pattachitra paintings of Lord Jagannath and other deities became a substitute for devotees.

Dashavatar Pattachitra by Apindra Swan

The main theme of this region is Lord Jagannath, depicted along with his siblings Subhadra and Bhalabadra. They are often represented in Black, Yellow, and White. These paintings also depict other mythological narratives, including Ramayana and Mahabharata, Gita Govinda—the romance of Radha and Krishna—and some nature-related themes, such as the Tree of Life.

Pattachitra is created by layering different layers of cloth (Patta) with tamarind paste and natural clay. Colours are mostly derived from natural materials. For instance, white is obtained from sea shells, Black from the smoke of burning wick (Soot), and green from leaves and green stones. Characteristic features of this style include the ornate border, geometrical precision and elastic depiction of figures. There is a complete differentiation in the manner in which each figure is made. One can differentiate whether the figure Is good or evil at one glance.

Bengal

Kamal Kamini by Manoranjan Chitrakar, Bengal Pattachitra

Bengal Pattachitra is known for its bold lines, colours, and strokes. Like Odisha Pattachitra, this style is also known for using natural pigments, Saffron is obtained from “geru pathar” or red stone. Similarly white from “khorimati” or clay and yellow from “holud pathar” or a yellow stone. The artists also prepare paints from organic elements such as flowers or buds, leaves, etc. One of the important aspects of Bengal Pattachitra is the depiction of stories through their regional songs, known as “Pater Gaan”. Artists or Patuas usually use these songs to unfurl mythological stories such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, historical, and social issues like women's equality and child rights.

The characteristic features of Bengal Pattachitra are the simplistic, yet intricate depiction of the elements in the stories. The features are often exaggerated, often confusing people between Bengal Pattachitra and Madhubani. However, that's a topic for another time. To put it simply, one way to identify Bengal Pattachitra and Madhubani is to have a close Look at the details. While the former would use solid colours to fill in all the spaces, the latter would also use closely spaced lines to fill in the space. There are some more regional differences within Bengal Pattachitra, scrolls found in Parulia are more simplistic in composition and style with minimalist backgrounds.

Santhal

Santhal Pattachitra originated from the tribes of eastern India and is known for its vibrant and bold geometric designs. The artists use natural materials, mostly rice paste and charcoal. The themes range from nature and tribal rituals to daily life. Santhal Pattachitra is typically created on cloth with intricate designs and patterns, showcasing the tradition and culture of the Santhal community (Moments log, Indian Folk Art Forms: Pattachitra, Phad, and Santhal Paintings, 2024).

Kalighat

Kalighat Reflections by Uttam Chitrakar

This particular style is rooted in Bengal Pattachitra but evolved during British rule. Kalighat Pattachitra with its unique charm and style, is known for its bold lines and provocative themes. Traditionally, Pattachitra used long scrolls to narrate stories, often as long as 20 feet. However, to compete with the machine-printed oleographs and lithographs, the artists had to find a quick fix, something that would be able to compete with the machine works aesthetically as well as economically. This style of painting developed on the banks of the Kali temple, in Calcutta, a hub for tourists and company officials in the 19th century. While the style of paintings remained the same as Bengal Pattachitra, the techniques used, and the themes depicted could not be more different. The migration of the Patuas from rural regions to urban-influenced their artistic style and materials. They began using watercolours and mill papers, but they continued to use pigments derived from natural sources such as leaves, fruits and flowers. Themes of Kalighat Pattchitra vary from the depiction of God and goddesses (Oriental Style of Pattachitra) to the depiction of more secular and civic themes (Occidental Style of Pattachitra). The Occidental Style peculiarly depicted the urban Indians, often mocking them for their anglicisation, commenting on the rising social and moral evils of the time through imagery.

Similarities

The use of natural materials, such as pigments gathered from natural sources is one of the similarities between the different forms of Pattachitra share. Most artists create pigments from flowers, buds, fruits or stones. The meticulous preparation of canvas is also similar, whether it is a cloth treated using tamarind paste in Odisha or gum in Santhal Pattachitra, both show their deep connection with their respective cultures.

Another similarity we find is the depiction of cultural and mythological narratives, the heart of Pattachitra is the storytelling, and this is what ties them together. Whether it is the divine tales of the deities in Odisha Pattachitra, the depiction of Gods and Goddess in the Bengal, the urbanised depiction of the deities in Kalighat or the folklore traditions of the tribal Santhal community, all have one thing in common - the values and beliefs in their community, religion, rituals and traditions.

There is another similarity amongst these four styles - each Pattachitra is a living tradition, it is passed down from one generation to another by the artists. In this way, they are not just passing down the artistic techniques and methods but also preserving their heritage.

Differences

Even though the paintings are similar in a lot of ways, there still are certain differences that can be seen in the artistic techniques and aesthetics. For instance, Odisha Pattachitra is known for its intricate, symmetric pattern and symbolic colours like black, yellow and white. The texture of its painting comes from the tamarind paste on cloth, pasting it layer by layer and the natural clay. In contrast, Bengal Pattachitra is known for its bold lines and themes, often accompanied by “pater gaan” or the songs by the artists. Santhal Pattachitra on the other hand, stands out for its vibrant geometric pattern, which gives it a more abstract approach. These geometric designs have cultural significance and reflect their nature and tribal life. Kalighat Pattachitra emerged during times of social change and depicts themes of the changing society of the 19th century such as the gender-associated roles of its time, and the freedom movements with bold, fluid lines.

The themes and symbolism vary from one region to another, for instance, Odisha Pattachitra centres around the deities of the Hindu pantheon, with the use of symbolic colours. Bengal Pattachitra mostly focuses on mythological stories but also depicts social and contemporary issues. Santhal Pattachitra on the other hand narrates tribal traditions, the natural world and the daily rituals of the Santhal community. While Kalighat Pattachitra, depicts religious themes with a blend of social satire, reflecting the cosmopolitan life of Kolkata.

Conclusion

Pattachitra is a unique kind of art form that reflects the vibrant world of various communities, our folklore traditions and rich mythological tales. From depicting deities of ancient temples of Odisha to depicting the everyday life of Kalighat, Pattachitra art uniquely blends different themes with their own artistic techniques. With all the shared similarities and differences, Patachitra art serves as a symbol of cultural identity. It showcases the connection between them, the ties that hold them together - their belief, rituals, and more importantly a love for art.

In a world where traditional art struggles to survive, Pattachitra is constantly evolving, modern artists now address the traditional themes with contemporary issues. Several organisations are also taking the initiative to keep traditional art alive. Its preservation is important, not only for the cultural identity but also for the global appreciation of Pattachitra.