Paitkar painting
Folk Painting
History
Paitkar painting, a scroll art form from Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Orissa, is rooted in storytelling by the Chitrakar community. Traditionally performed door-to-door with songs, it narrates myths and daily life. Once widespread, it now thrives mainly in Amadubi village, Jharkhand, sharing ties with Bengal’s Pata paintings. Initially part of socio-religious customs, Paitkar has evolved into a tourist art, often adapted into postcards while preserving its rich cultural heritage.
Raw Materials and Tools
Paitkar painting traditionally used organic colors—geru (red), haldi (yellow), soot (black), mashed leaves (green), indigo (blue), and lime (white). Brushes were made from squirrel hair, and bamboo sticks served as tools. Chitrakars painted on tree bark, leaves, cloth, and walls. Today, handmade paper is commonly used, but artists continue traditional color-making and application methods, preserving the authenticity of this ancient tribal art.
Process
Paitkar paintings are created on long scrolls by Chitrakars, who use natural, water-based colors on handmade paper or cloth. Figures, outlined with thick lines, are shown in profile or semi-profile with elongated eyes and minimal details. Using a synoptic method, scenes flow together to form a narrative. Traditionally, these scrolls were sung or narrated during exhibitions, blending religious themes and everyday life into a vibrant storytelling tradition.
Design and Color
Paitkar paintings use natural, water-based colors, blending primary shades to create secondary hues like olive green and ochre yellow. Red is used for religious themes, while blank space signifies white. Figures are outlined with thick contour lines, shown in profile or semi-profile with elongated eyes and angular lines. The absence of shading emphasizes simplicity and bold representation. Merging frames create a continuous narrative, engaging the viewer’s imagination through dynamic storytelling.
Product Range
The product range includes decorative wall hangings, story scrolls, postcards, and smaller artworks. These paintings are used for storytelling performances. Today, the art is also showcased on handmade paper, preserving the essence of traditional storytelling while adapting to contemporary formats.
