Patachitra Paintings

The patachitra, the folk painting of Orissa, has a history of great antiquity. The `Patachitra` paintings exhibit the use of strong line and brilliant colors. These are religious paintings which covers themes and events from Indian mythology and Puranas and mainly made on silk or on old cotton glued with paper. Patachitras are painted in a regular series like Dashavatar of Vishnu and activities of Lord Rama & Krishna etc. The Patachitra paintings have a basic resemblance to the old murals of Kalinga region dating back to 5th century B C. The best Patachitra paintings are found in and around Puri, especially in the village of Raghurajpur. 

The artists colony, known as Chitrakar Sahi, is in the vicinity of the local temple. Patachitras are known for their bold lines and brilliant play of colors. It is a hereditary art practiced by the family of the painters usually living in the vicinities of the temples. Initially, Raghurajpur and Dandasahi villages in the district of Puri were the only centers where the practitioners of this art lived but when temples were erected in other places in the state the artists spread in other areas like; Bolangir, Sambalpur, and Ganjam.