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What would you do, if you wanted to paint, but did not have a canvas? Decades ago, the skillful people of Orissa found the answer in dried palm leaves! The result was the origin of beautiful 'Palm Leaf Engravings' or 'Pata Chitra'. This ancient art is still practised in villages of Orissa, especially in the artists' village of Raghurajpur and Chitrakarasahi. The painting begins with careful selection of palm leaves. They are then sun dried, kept in shade for few days and later cut into thin strips of required sizes. With the help of an iron stylus, the designs, which are based on mythological themes, are then etched on the palm leaf. The etching has to be done with utmost care without being too deep or too light. Once the etching is done, a paste made of bean leaves, charcoal of brunt coconut shells, oil and turmeric is applied on the palm leaf. If the figures have to be in colour, the engraved portions are rubbed and filled with herbal colours. The rectangular strips are then tied together and folded like the japanese fan so as to reveal the meticulous painting when opened. A single painting would take several days for completion! Old palm leaf manuscripts from 17th century are showcased in the Orissa State Museum and several museums in Europe and America. |