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I am collecting Indian Heritage and culture related vintage postcards, paintings, prints etc. and exhibited them at several locations across India in various events and also sharing them with school and college children by giving presentations to them on Indian Heritage and Culture with my collections and also documenting puppetry etc. intangible performances.

Saturday 25 January 2014

Midnapore Patachitra Paintings (మిడ్నాపూర్ పాటచిత్ర పెయింటింగ్స్)


Pattachitra is a general term for traditional scroll painting in India, especially  in Odisha and West Bengal states.The Sanskrit pata means cloth, chitra means  painting.Patachitra is the painting usually made on tasar silk  cloth. Sometimes it is also made by gluing layers of old cotton cloth  with tamarind glue and chalk to create a leather like surface.The  history of 'patachitra' or scroll painting in Bengal goes back to more  than two thousand years. Rural bards and story-tellers in earlier times would use these scrolls which had pictures depicting various events and themes of the stories they would tell.


పాటచిత్ర పెయింటింగ్ లు ఒరిస్సా రాష్ట్రములో మరియు పశ్చిమ బెంగాల్ రాష్ట్రములో చిత్రిస్తారు. 2 రాష్ట్రములలోని పాటచిత్ర పెయింటింగ్ ల యొక్క శైలి విభిన్నమైయినది. దేనికవే ప్రత్యకమైనవి. పశ్చిమ బెంగాల్ రాష్ట్రములోని పశ్చిమ మిడ్నాపూర్ జిల్లాలో చిత్రించే పాటచిత్ర  పెయింటింగ్ లకి ఆ ప్రాంతము పేరు అయిన మిడ్నాపూర్ పాటచిత్ర  పెయింటింగ్స్ అనే పేరు వచ్చింది.మిడ్నాపూర్ పాటచిత్ర  పెయింటింగ్ లకు 2000 సంవత్సరముల చరిత్ర కలదు. ఈ చిత్రకారులు ప్రకృతిలో దొరికే సహజసిద్ధమైన వనమూలికలు మొదలగునవి ఈ చిత్రములు గీయడానికి వాడతారు.  వీరు చిత్రించే పాటచిత్ర పైంటింగ్స్ చాలా విలక్షణముగా మరియు ఏ ప్రాంతములో లోని ఒక ప్రత్యేక శైలి లో ఉంటాయి .వీరు చిత్రించే చిత్రములతో వీరిలో కొంతమంది కధలు చెబుతారు. భారత దేశములో అనాది కాలము నుంచి చిత్రములతో కధలు చెప్పే సంప్రదాయము ఉన్నది. 
ఈ మిడ్నాపూర్ పాటచిత్ర  పెయింటింగ్స్ చిత్రించే కళాకారులు అందరి పేరులోను చిత్రకార్ అనే పేరు వారి పేరుతో పాటు కలిగి ఉంటారు. నేను సేకరించిన ఈ మిడ్నాపూర్ పాటచిత్ర  పెయింటింగ్స్ ని బహదూర్ చిత్రాకార్ మరియు మరికొంతమంది దగ్గర తీసుకున్నాను.
 


The traditional colors used in the patachitra art are red, ochre, indigo,  green, black and white all obtained from the natural sources like  Hingula, Ramaraja, Haritala, lamp black, and shells.The brushes are  crude made of the hair of domestic animals. Usually the squirrel  hairbrushes are not used but the fine brushes made from the hairs of a  mongoose or rat, or the coarser brushes made from the hair of a buffalo  neck. In the past, artists also used kiya plants for drawing thick  lines.The adhesive if used any for these paintings are made in tamarind  seeds. The tamarind seed powder is soaked in water overnight and then  boiled to provide it a gummy consistency.


First the outlines are  made using red and yellow colors and then other colors. The figures are  then color filled using the same colors. The background color is red and is filled prior to other colors. The paintings concentrate on sculpture like figures of simple shapes and monotonous postures and expression.  The final step is giving a protective coating. The cloth is given a  lacquer coating to protect from the effects of nature and give a glazed  varnished look. It is followed, by painting the background in red, also  known as pahili ranga bhara or first coloring. In the subsequent stage,  the artist colors the figures, applies the red ornaments and black  details and completes the border decoration.

The central colors  used in Patachitra are red, brick red, yellow, white and lamp black. The painter employs the various kinds of brushes. Sometimes, artist adds  rice powder to the mixture to give a stiffer feel to the canvas. The  painting is done on cloth which the artists prepare themselves by  coating it with a mixture of chalk and and gum made from tamarind seeds  to give the surface a kind of a leathery finish on which the artists  paint with earth and stone colors.

History of Midnapore Patachitra Paintings

Patachitra, an ancient folk art of Bengal , is appreciated by art lovers all over the world for its effortless style of drawings, colours, lines and space usage. The world Pata derived from the Sanskrit word Patta means cloth. The painters are called Patuas. Patuas do not just paint, they also sing as they unfurl the painting scroll to show it to the audience. These songs are known as Pater Gaan. The songs are of wide variety ranging from traditional mythological tales and tribal rituals to stories based on modern Indian history. Patuas generally use natural colours, which they procure from various trees, leaves, flowers and clays.


Patachitra has been mentioned in Puranas, Epics, Ancient Literatures and Historical Descriptions. The style of painting is similar to the cave paintings of Mohenjodaro, Harappa and Ajanta . ‘Patuas' and ‘Chitrakars' have been referred to in literary works dating back to more then 2500 years. Some researchers opine that ‘Patashilpa' was originally an art from of the Santhals (tribal community). It was popular among Hindu tribes like Santhals, Hos, Munda, Juangs and Kherias who painted ‘Patachitras' depicting the birth of their first ancestors Pilchu Haram and Pilchu Burhi; how they had seven sons and seven daughters and how these seven brothers were married to their sisters. With the growing influence of Buddhism, the Patuas embraced the faith. Buddhist kings and monks made extensive use of scroll paintings to preach Buddhism and during this time Patachitra probably spread to Bali, Java, Sri-Lanka , Malaysia and Tibet . With Muslim invasions, Islam spread and the Chitrakars became followers of Islam.

Since 2004, banglanatak dot com is working with 230 Patuas to rejuvenate the dying art form. The Patuas have learned to make diverse products using their painting skills. They are also using their art from as tool for social communication. The art form has become a means of livelihood. This has led to reduction of poverty and most importantly empowerment of the women in the community. The Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (with support of Ministry of Rural Development) supported capacity building and promotional activities during 2005-2009. Today young people are learning the art from their living Gurus. Project Ethno-magic Going Global (EGG), an ongoing initiative by banglanatak dot com supported by the European Union has facilitated interaction between Patuas and Contemporary painters and new media artists from Europe . Health insurance has been provided to the artists and their families. Resource centre is being developed at Pingla.


The above text courtesy on Midnapore Patachitra paintings is taken from Mr.Arindam Bhowmik's Midnapore.in website with his permission. Also i am using some of his images.


Every year there will be Pata Chitra festival celebrated in the Naya village of Pingla block of Midnapore district. People from several corners across the globe now visited the festival every year and enjoyed very much and learned about Midnapore Patachitra paintings.


Recently i got 2 different Midnapore Patachitra paintings from Midnapore. They are Ramayana scenes and Goddess Durga paintings.





Below is the photo of a artist who draw similar like above Goddess Durga patachitra painting. He draw this painting during Patachitra festival.


Today i.e. on 1st February i got 3 other Midnapore patachitra paintings from Mr.Gurupada Chitrakar of Naya Pingla, Midnapore. They are Fishes taking food, Hungry Lion Hunting Deers and Tribal Festival paintings.

This is Tribal Festival Midnapore Patachitra painting which is in my collection.



















These are 2 different photos of similar like above tribal festival painting drawn by children during the Patachitra festival.


This is Hungry Lion Hunting Deers painting which is in my collection.



















This is similar like Angry Lion painting drawn by a artist during Patachitra festival.

















This is fishes taking food midnapore patachitra painting which is in my collection.




These are some similar like fish drawings drawn by artists during Patachitra festival.
















































Recently on 30th November 2014 i am presented my Third Seminar on Indian Heritage and Culture to younger generation children. In this seminar i am sharing my original paintings collections of Midnapore Patachitra paintings, Madhubani paintings, Cherial Paintings, Warli Paintings and Kalamkari paintings.

Many younger children came to my presentation on that day and clarified their doubts. Please look into my 3rd Seminar on Indian Heritage and Culture message.

http://indian-heritage-and-culture.blogspot.in/2014/12/my-third-seminar-on-indian-heritage-and.html

Tuesday 14 January 2014

Rangoli designs (Muggulu)

This is my first post in the year 2014.Wish You A Happy New Year 2014 to all people. 

In this post i am sharing about most beautiful and Incredible Art Patterns of India "Rangoli designs" by starting with a beautiful 2014 Rangoli design.

Rangoli, also known as Kolam or muggu is a Folk Art from India in which patterns are created on the floor in living rooms or courtyards using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals. It is usually made during Diwali, Onam, Pongal and other Indian festivals. They are meant to be sacred welcoming areas for the Hindu deities. The ancient symbols have been passed down through the ages, from each generation to the next, keeping both the art form and the tradition alive. Similar practices are followed in different Indian states: Muggulu in Andhra Pradesh; Kolam in Tamil Nadu; Mandana in Rajasthan; Chowkpurna in Northern India; Alpana in West Bengal; Aripana in Bihar; Chowk Pujan in Uttar Pradesh; and others.
The purpose of rangoli is decoration, and it is thought to bring good luck. Design depictions may also vary as they reflect traditions, folklore and practices that are unique to each area. It is traditionally done by women. Generally, this practice is showcased during occasions such as festivals, auspicious observances, marriage celebrations and other similar milestones and gatherings.
Rangoli designs can be simple geometric shapes, deity impressions, or flower and petal shapes (appropriate for the given celebrations), but they can also be very elaborate designs crafted by numerous people. The base material is usually dry or wet granulated rice or dry flour, to which sindoor (vermilion), haldi (turmeric) and other natural colors can be added. Chemical colors are a modern variation. Other materials include colored sand and even flowers and petals, as in the case of flower rangolis.
Rangoli is an Indian sandpainted design often seen in Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. Rangoli can be any size and can use a wide variety of materials. You can approach Rangoli as an advanced art project for an experienced artist, or modify it for a fun activity with kids.
Rangoli in India belong to any province, the folk art, so its elements are taken from the public are common. Rangoli's most important element is Utswdhermita. For this, auspicious symbols are selected. Thus the symbol for generations as they are made - and is required to make these symbols. Traditionally, each new generation learns the art and thus a family keeps the tradition intact. Some major symbols used in Rangoli are the lotus flower, its leaves, mango, Tue vase, fish, different kind of birds like parrots, swans, peacocks, and human figures and foliage. Oftentimes Rangooli are made on special occasions like Diwali. Some special patterns for Diwali Rangoli are the Deep, Ganesha or Lakshmi.
The second key element is using rangoli incoming material. The same material is used which is easily found everywhere. Therefore this art rich - poor is prevalent in all homes. Normally the major ingredients used to make rangoli - Pise rice solution, dried powder made from the leaves color, charcoal, burned soil was, wood sawdust, etc.. Rangoli is the third important element background. Rangoli for the background was clear floor or wall or Llype is used. Rangoli yard in the middle, corners, or as Bell is created around. Dehri gateway on the tradition of making rangoli. God's seat, depending on lamp, place of worship and sacrifice on the altar is the tradition of decorating rangoli. With time, imagination and innovative ideas in Rangoli art is also incorporated. Hospitality and tourism has also had its effect and it has been commercially developed. The colors also convenient because it places such as hotels is being built on its traditional charm, artistry and importance are still remain.

The above text on Rangoli from the wikipedia website  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangoli

These are beautiful Rangoli designs which drawn by several woman in front of their houses in our locality on the midnight of 31st December 2013 by saying good bye to the year 2013 and welcoming to the New Year 2014.  









































































This is a Divine pattern Rangoli we draw in front of our house on Diwali celebrations.


These are some Sankranthi (Pongal) special Rangolis. I am using them from Mrs.Sravani Gopal's blog with her permission.


In Andhra Pradesh we celebrated Pongal festival as Makara Sankranthi which is a 3 days festival Boghi, Makara Sankranthi and Kanuma festivals.

This is Pongali Kumbam and Cheraku (Sugarcane) pattern.


This is Haridas pattern. Haridas goes to all houses early in the morning and singing Lord Vishnu's songs.



This is Gangireddu pattern. 
Gangireddu: Some oxes are decorates with colourful garments and garlands. Their trainers make them to do some stunts to impress us.


This is complete Sankranthi (Pongal) special Rangoli.