Lord Jagannath in Pattachitra

A traditional depiction of Lord Jagannath with siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, painted in vibrant hues.

Canvas Base

• A pre-stretched cotton canvas or cotton cloth mounted on board is used as the painting base.

• If untreated, the cloth is coated with a mixture of chalk powder (sankha churna) and tamarind seed gum, then polished with a stone to give it a smooth, leathery texture.

• For modern canvas, a white acrylic gesso may be used as an alternative primer.

2. Natural Pigments (Vibrant Hues)

• Black (for outlines and Jagannath’s face): Made from lamp soot or burnt coconut shells.

• Red (used in clothing, borders): From hingula, a red mineral pigment.

• Yellow (for ornaments and divine features): Made from haritala or turmeric.

• White (for the eyes, markings, and decorative lines): Ground from conch shells.

• Blue and Green (used in backgrounds and embellishments): Made from indigo and plant extracts.

• All pigments are blended with natural tamarind gum for adhesion and long-lasting color.

3. Brushes

• Brushes are handmade from fine animal hair (such as squirrel or mongoose) fixed to bamboo or wooden handles.

• Used for precise linework, borders, facial features, and decorative patterns.

4. Adhesive (Binder)

• A natural adhesive made by boiling tamarind seeds is used for:

  • Preparing the canvas surface.

  • Mixing with powdered pigments to form durable, vibrant paints.

5. Optional Embellishments

• Gold or silver foil detailing may be added using traditional gum adhesives.

• Natural shellac or lacquer can be applied as a protective coating to give a glossy finish.