Lord Ganesha On A Floating Peepal Leaf

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Name: Lord Ganesha On A Floating Peepal Leaf
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: PZ15
Price: 105.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$105

A solitary leaf of the peepal tree floats through the lokas (realms of existence). The complex venation of its body has been executed with superfine strokes of the brush dipped in black paint. A natural silhouette that expresses symmetry but not overly so. The chaturbhujadhari Lord Ganesha rests on the soft surface of the peepal leaf. His body and stance are that of an adorable little boy; indeed, the son of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati is the most widely loved baala-deva (boy-deity) of the Hindu pantheon.

The Lord has seemingly broken into a divine dance routine. The right leg He bends at the knee and raises above the left. The anterior hands are in a classical mudra. The posterior arms He raises above His head, wielding the conch in the right hand and a clutch of lotus-buds in the left. Brimming with wisdom and innocence, His enchanting little elephant head is turned to one side in the direction of the lotus-buds. He gazes at them with all the hope and admiration of a spotless heart.

The background of the composition is made up of the densely packed waves of a paralokiya (otherworldly) body of water. Finely spaced-out strokes of the brush on tussar silk, the fabric from which this patta (canvas) is made and which gives it the signature ivory colour. Hints of a deep saffron shade are to be found along the extended motifs that frame the painting (in true pattachitra style) and in the crown and shringar of Lord Ganesha.

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Item Code:	PZ15
Artist:	Rabi Behera
Specifications:	Orissa's Paata Painting Water Color on Tussar Silk Rabi Behera
Dimensions	12 inch X 18 inch

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100% Made in India

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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.