Patachitra paintings, Handmade Patachitra paintings

Handmade Patachitra paintings display the use of strong line and sparkling colors.It is an inherited art which is practiced by the family of the skilled artist who reside in the vicinities of the temples.

Nearly all of them are religious paintings but the basic theme is focused on Indian mythology.

Most of these paintings are particularly made on silk or on old cotton that is glued with paper. In order to provide the surface a similar texture to that of a leather finish, a mixture of chalk and tamarind seed paste is applied to it.

Handmade Patachitra paintings are usually painted in a regular series such as Dashavtar and leela's of Lord Krishna and Rama.

Incredible pictographic ideas, distinctive conventions, amazing arrangement line formations and vibrant colors are some of the highlights that make the ethnic Indian art of handmade Patachitra paintings incomparable.

Some of the famous handmade Patachitra paintings displayed in the museums are range from the typical village life, the majestic boat, lord Krishna, a greeting dancer, Krishnaji churning the butter, Vasudev walking along with Krishna to Gokul and some others include views of pranks played by Krishna and marriage ceremonies.

Apart from that the most talked about are ones are where Radha is embracing Krishna and Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill. 

Patachitas plays a prominent role in the temples of Orissa. It has been a ritual to give a holy bath to handmade Patachitra paintings wooden images of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Shubhadra every year.

The freedom of painting the patachitras is provided to only three families referred as hakimas. As Patachitra paintings is an inherited art, any skilled artist engaging in making   these paintings need to oblige to certain rules while making handmade painting the patachitras.