Sapta Matrika- Chamunda

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Name: Sapta Matrika- Chamunda
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: PX03
Price: 125.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$125

Devi Mahatmya, a sacred Hindu text dedicated to the great goddess Durga describes the origin of Chamunda- the slayer of the demon duo Chanda and Munda. She is said to be the fierce aspect of Devi, emerging out of the frown of Maa Parvati, closely associated with Kali and Tara. She is a fearsome mother-goddesses who assists Durga or Parvati in vanquishing demons, whose severed heads form the garland worn by Chamunda.

Included in the Sapta-Matrika cluster as the last mother-goddess, Chamunda does not associate herself with any male divinity like the other matrikas. Unbounded and an inverted image of female auspiciousness, Chamunda is only linked to the great goddesses. Her blood-shot eyes, blood drooling from her mouth, long nails, and sagging breasts, represent the fears of her devotees- disease, death, and deprivation and her left hand in the Varada-mudra imply an end to all these fears. The child on her lap appears to be a great paradox in the usage of an artistic device. How can a goddess so ghastly in appearance be a mother? But this is the esoteric beauty of Hinduism! Though gruesome in her physical form, Chamunda is the divine mother-goddess gone ferocious for the protection of her children. Even in her most fearsome parts, the great mother has nothing but adoration for those who seek refuge in her lap.

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Item Code:	PX03
Artist:	Rabi Behera
Specifications:	WATER COLOR PAINTING ON PATTI FOLK ART FROM THE TEMPLE TOWN PURI (ORISSA)Artist Rabi Behera
Dimensions	17.5 INCH HEIGHT x 11.5 INCH WIDTH

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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.

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