THE ART OF ORISSA. 'Patta' in Sanskrit means 'Vastra' or 'clothings'. Some think it to be paintings done on 'Pata' or wood. Nevertheless, these paintings are also done on 'Pata' or wooden covers of palm-leaf manuscripts. The oldest record of Patta Paintings does not probably go beyond the establishment of the present shrine of Lord Jagannath at Puri. It may be due to the fact that paintings do not survive like sculptures. The paints inside the shrines of Lard Jagannathat Puri make the date probable. The oldest classical marble paintings of Sitabanji at Keonjhar do not conform to the present style of Patta painting wholly. Though some logical similarities in forms can be established, the colours used have a different trial effect. "The philosophy of Ancient Asiatic Art" has rightly remarked, "Because theology was the dominant intellectual passion of the race, Oriental art is largely dominated by theology." For all intents and purposes, Jagannath in the present from is being taken as the origin of the Patta style. The colour schemes of the deities of Puri are quite similar to those of the Patta style. The wooden statues of the three deities are also covered with cloth and then overlaid with glue mixed with chalk, and then given paint only with four limited colours of red, yellow, white and black. The deities who are held in high esteem by the Oriyas and who inspire religion, life and activity of the people also carry with them a tradition of art and painting which is as old as the deities themselves. If the Savara origin of Jagannath is to be believed, the date of the Patta paintings can be dated back to an earlier period.

• published: 14 Apr 2008
• views: 3355