Goddess Durga Pattachitra Painting | Watercolor Paint on Tussar Silk

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In the background, a soft grey horizon with small curling clouds gives the dynamic battle scene a perfect backdrop. The central figure of the Patachitra is none other than the divine ten-armed mother-goddess Durga, lunging ahead from her roaring lion, equipped with various potent weapons, her long tresses flying behind her and the rich red sari adding to her grandeur.

Goddess Durga’s trident held in her primary hands is pierced through the golden armor of Mahishasura, into his chest, making his blood trickle down his torso. The valiant posture taken by Devi Durga, with her foot victoriously placed on the chest of the demon and her hand restricting his arm and the defensive manner of Mahishasura conveys to us the story of the great vanquisher of evil.

Mahishasura’s leg stuck in the neck of the body of a buffalo is a cue to the legend from the Devi Mahatmya, according to which the shape-shifting buffalo demon was slain by goddess Durga when he was about to escape the body of a water buffalo. On the right side of this Devi Durga Pattachitra stand three demons dressed in attires with various ethnic patterns, with different skin tones, carrying weapons in their hands.

On Devi’s side are her female attendants- Dakini and Varnini or Yogini with sickles and bowls of blood from the severed heads of demons. The skeletal form of the attendants and their lion-like faces hold an ethereal ferociousness that causes the hearts of their opponents to tremble with fear.

The characteristic features of Orissa Pattachitra are used exquisitely in this painting- a vibrant contrast between the colors used to present the goddess and the demon, the human-like features of Devi’s lion, different colors to bring out the individuality of the subjects, a multiplicity of ethnic motifs on the entirety of the painting. Bristling with a powerful vigor, this Patachitra of Durga Mahishasurmardini is a kaleidoscopic devotional artwork.

Mastering the Ancient Technique: Exploring the Meticulous Creation of Pattachitra Paintings

The traditional Pattachitra is a scroll painting that is done on cloth. This is revealed in the name; Pattachitra is a Sanskrit term made from two words i.e. Patta meaning cloth and Chitra meaning picture. The main subject of this painting is portraying Hindu mythological narratives, scenes from religious texts, and folktales. Pattachitra paintings are especially practiced in eastern Indian states such as West Bengal and Odisha, and also in some parts of Bangladesh. This art form is closely related to Shri Jagannath and the tradition of the Vaishnava sect. It is believed that Pattachitra art originated in the 11th century and the people of Odisha practice it even today without any discrepancy. Bengalis use these scroll paintings for ritual purposes (as a visual device) during the performance of a song or Aarti.

Pattachitra paintings are characterized by creative and traditional motifs/designs, decorative borders, and bright colorful applications. The outline of the figure and motifs are bold and sharp. Some common shapes and motifs seen in these paintings are trees, flowers, leaves, elephants, and other creatures. The artists of Odisha and Bengal still use the traditional method of painting which gives a unique look to it altogether.

1. Canvas is prepared

The process of painting a Pattachitra begins by preparing the canvas (patta). Generally, cotton cloth is used for making the canvas. The local artists dip the cotton cloth in a mixture of tamarind seeds and water for a few days. The cloth is then taken out and dried in the sun. Now natural gum is applied over it to stick another layer of cotton cloth on it. Thus a thick layer of cotton cloth is formed. This layered cotton is sun-dried and a paste of chalk powder, tamarind, and gum is applied on both sides. The surface of the cloth is then rubbed with two different stones for smoothening and it is again dried. This process gives the cloth a leathery finish and it is now ready to be painted.

2. Natural colors are made using traditional method

The painters prepare and use vegetable and mineral colors for application in the painting. White color is made from conch shells, black is made by burning coconut shells, Hingula is used for red color, Ramaraja for blue, and Haritala for yellow.

3. Colors are filled in

The artist now makes a double-lined border on all four sides of the canvas. The local artists are so expert in painting that they do not draw figures and motifs with pencil but directly draw them with a brush. The paint brushes that the painters use are made of the hair of domestic animals, a bunch of which is tied to the end of a bamboo stick. The figures are now painted with natural colors using the indigenous brushes. The outline is thickened with black color.

4. Painting is given a finishing

Finally, the painting is varnished/glazed to protect it from any damage and to get a glossy shine on the surface.

The making of a Pattachitra is laborious work and therefore, one painting may sometimes take over a month to complete. Due to their classical look, these paintings are admired by people from all over the world. The artistic skills used in Pattachitra are passed down from one generation to another and thus are preserved to date.