Paintings from Odisha Pattachitra (Patta = Canvas and Chitra = Picture) style of painting is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of Odisha. This art form generally depicts a mythological theme. The base material or the canvas is entirely handmade using a cotton cloth, tamarind seed gum, and chalk powder. The colours used are bright and primarily white, red, yellow, blue, green and black. The red is used predominantly for the background. These colours are prepared out of the natural ingredients. White is prepared from powder of conch-shell (Shankh), yellow from Haritala, a kind of stone, red from geru (Dheu) and Hingula black from burning lamp and cocoanut shell and green from leaves. The artists execute a sequential procedure for preparation of the paintings. The art of pattachitra has made a slow progress from the temple premises to the walls of drawing rooms and lounges of big hotels, restaurants & guest houses. The theme of the paintings has also upgraded. With the passage of time other themes also started to take prominent places in Patta Chitra. In addition to the stories from Ramayan and Mahabharat, new themes on Lord Buddha, Jainism and important historical events are also find place in pattachitras. Now a days Pattachitras become collectors' items. Actual product may vary in material, texture, colour and size from the digital image displayed.
