Divine Trio: Jagannath, Balabhadra & Subhadra

A classic Pattachitra of the holy siblings with their iconic large eyes and bright colors.

Base Surface (Patta Canvas)

• Made from cotton cloth, which is prepared with a coating of:

  • Chalk powder (sankha churna)

  • Tamarind seed gum (as a natural adhesive)

• The surface is dried and polished using a smooth stone or shell, creating a smooth, leathery texture suitable for fine painting.

2. Natural Pigments (Divine and Scriptural Elements)

• Black (for outlines and script): Created from lamp soot or burnt coconut shells

• Red (for background or sacred ornaments): Extracted from hingula (red mineral pigment)

• Yellow (for divine aura and book detailing): Made from turmeric or haritala (yellow arsenic pigment)

• White (for highlights and script): Produced by grinding conch shells

• Blue (for the Lord’s attire or divine background): Derived from indigo leaf extract

• Brown and Earth tones (for scriptures, throne, or natural textures): From natural clay or tree bark

• All pigments are mixed with boiled tamarind seed gum, used as a binder for durability and color richness

3. Brushes

• Handcrafted brushes made from fine animal hair (usually squirrel or mongoose) attached to bamboo or reed handles

• Used for detailed work in the Lord’s expression, script markings, borders, and sacred books

4. Decorative Borders

• Intricate floral and geometric patterns are drawn freehand in the traditional Odia style

• Borders may include lotus motifs, chakra designs, or Sanskrit inscriptions

5. Finishing Touch

• A coating of natural shellac or resin is optionally applied to give a soft shine and protect the surface