Chittara

Etymology: The Kannada word Chittara is related to the Sanskrit word chittra which means 'to draw'.

Origin: Chittara is an indigenous art form originating from Karnataka. The intricate patterns of Karnataka's Chittara folk art depict life's rituals and momentous ceremonies as geometric patterns.

Location: Chittara painting is a folk art originating from the Malnad region, Karnataka. It is practised in the villages of Hasunvanthe, Honnemaradu, and Majina Kaanu (in the Shimoga district of South Karnataka) in the Western Ghats.

Community: These murals are traditionally painted by the Deewaru community. They not only make wall paintings but also create floor paintings or rangoli. The majority of the community's women participate in it as a socio-cultural practice that represents an example of socio-cultural dynamics.

Relevance: These paintings depict the important events of their lives; such as weddings, festivities, and other auspicious occasions and life cycle rituals.

Historical background: Since the Deewaru community is heavily populated and vastly spread out, there are many types of Chittara paintings. Namely, Theru Chittara which illustrates the temple chariot paintings, Cheeku Bagilu Chinmaani which represents the energy of the mind, Hadhinaaru Moole Arathi and Mumdige Chittara which are mural paintings, and Chittara Chaavadi that hold various themes.

Culture and societies: This is an art form that is exclusively practised by the women folk of the Deewaru tribe. Interestingly, they are a matriarchal community. These paintings are made on occasions of socio-cultural importance. The Deewaru community is an agricultural community that grows cash crops and also weaves baskets.

Religious significance: The Deewaru community are nature worshippers. In their community belief system, water has significant importance. Their art reflects the significance nature has over them as their central theme revolves around nature and its elements. There is a highly significant festival of Bhoomi Hunnime where they offer their appreciation to mother earth for their harvest. To celebrate this festival, the women folk collaborate and decorate the outer walls and floors of their huts.

Central motifs and their significance: The central theme of the paintings is mainly their daily life. They depict their ceremonies, deities, socio-economic activities, and the surrounding flora and fauna. Apart from these influences, geometrical shapes are largely utilised as well.

Medium used: Women of the Deewaru community use natural pigments in their paintings. They derive colours from natural elements such as the bark of trees, grinding minerals, and vegetables. White paint is extracted by threshed and pounded rice paste which is mixed with white clay. Red is obtained by grinding stones and from the abundant deposits of red mud around them. Similarly, the colour black is made from burnt and pounded rice. Yellow is created from the seeds of the gurige tree which is special to the 'Shimoga' and 'Sagar' districts of Karnataka. The finer details and patterns are painted with a fine jute brush called pundi.

Style: The paintings are usually 2-3 feet in size and are created free-hand whilst keeping in mind their traditional roots and rules followed for these paintings. Chittara paintings are intricate paintings made up of long lines, cross hatchings, and symmetrical structures. Ropes and threads are used instead of rulers for measurements. Chittara paintings have four common and basic colours, red, white, black, and yellow.

Process: The wall paintings are made by first coating the wall with a mixture of cow dung and red mud. After this, the surface is left to dry for a day or two. Once the base has dried, the walls are painted with either white or black pigments. The designs are painted with the help of natural brushes either made of a bundle of grass or jute.

Traditional paddy husks pots kalashas are painted over with Chittara art. However, in the present time paper-mache, and terracotta vases and artefacts are also decorated with this art form.

1. Gupta, C.S. (2008) Indian Folk and Tribal Paintings. New Delhi: Roli Books.