Pattachitras

Pattachitra and Raghurajpur – what Gods look forward to
Pattachitra is a traditional painting of Odisha, India. Pattachitra literally translates to picture on canvas (cloth); a mixture of chalk and gum made from tamarind seeds is used on a cotton cloth to make the canvas and give it a leathery finish. Artists use natural colours and start painting directly using brushes made from the hair of various animals including squirrels! As in any ancient art form in India, the inspiration for these paintings comes from Hindu religion and mythology. Pattachitra paintings depict various stories of Lord Krishna, Ganesha, Mahabharata and, of course, of Lord Jagannath.