Saura painting is another kind of tribal art painting that evolved beyond time known.  It seems that it has its mention in the epic Holy book of the Hindus, in the The Ramayana, about 7000 years ago.  These paintings were decorated and celebrated by one of the oldest tribal people of India, living in Odissa.   These paintings were mostly on walls of their their huts and cottages.  The walls were usually made of mud and designs were depicted on them to celebrate their happiness in their lives.  This beautiful drawing and creativity which flowed in them, came out in the form of a beautiful art.

Mostly, geometric designs, are figures drawn in the shape of triangles.  These intricate paintings reflect the peaceful and happy feelings of dancing and celebrating life together.  Some forms of this art is also simply pattern based and is purely done using all natural colors that they could lay hands on available in nature during those days.

History

 

Saura paintings are a part of tribal art form and were originally done on walls of the houses to decorate the enterance on either sides, as well as in the interior of the house.  These colorful and intricate murals were perhaps first drawn with rice powder pastes and drawn on the walls like a decoration. We also see the images of men and women in triangular shapes giving the true nature of tribal art.  Series of geometric patterns are made from the beginning in layers, and the entire area is covered with intricate art work. These are made very lively and colorful that carries the aesthetic image of the art. Paints were made out of conch shells grinded together with rice powder and mixed with tree sap to give it thickness and brightness.  The sap also helped the colors to stay on for a longer period of time.

The Saura wall paintings are called italons / ikons/ekons and are dedicated to the gods or deity, known as the Idital.  The basic theme is tribal folklore and stories that are of ritualistic value to them.  The main characters of these paintings or ikons/ekons apart from the geometric pattern were people, horses, elephants, the sun, the moon, tree resembling life here, and were made in repetition.  Starting from the border, these were made towards the center.

 

Saurya Art done on Glass Bottles used as Home Decor

Since the walls were made of mud plasters, these paintings had the background of the color of earth.  Painting were done on them with bamboo shoots, or twigs as they are extremely fine line and need something very sharp to bring them out.  These amazingly intricate murals or Ekons use natural dyes and were obtainted from white stones, mud, chromes derived from ground white stone, different hues of earth, and vermilion or powdered mineral considered holy, with mixes of tamarind pastes, leaves and flowers and so on.Once drawn, these paintings or Ikons were worshipped and had special religious significance.  As mostly covered, these rural arts were made on happy occasions like child birth, harvest, marriage or when they made a new home for them.  Prayers were recited in front of these and people worshipped them. Each home had atleast one ikon which was supposed to bring in good health, happiness, peace and prosperity.

The priets were called in to say the prayers, and during this praying form, the Ikons were created.  Thus, these paintings has immense significance and they priests knew the symbolic language of the painting drawn.  These paintings were worshipped as a daily ritual once completed.

Process

Saura painting also comes under the umbrella of Pattachitra art, as this painting form has similar processes of preparation, and also originated in and around the same region.  To begin with, the cloth is first dipped in a solution made up of tamarind paste and water and keeping the cloth immersed in it for 4 – 5 days and then sun dried.  Pastes made of wood apple gum or sticky sap and tamarind is rubbed all over the cloth. Another similar cloth is placed over the first cloth and they are stuck together with the tree sap, acting as the glue here.   This layered piece of cotton is again sun dried to give a crisp effect of a canvas.  

After that again, a paste of chalk powder mixed with tamarind and tree sap is applied on both sides.  Once dried, a particular stone is rubbed on it to make it the smooth.

Nowadays, we see Saura paintings done on tall glass bottles and are used to decorate homes, gardens and much more with the same art forms.  These amazingly attractive and beautiful paintings are used to decorate homes and work places in an artistic manner, bringing in awe and amazement.

 

Irakoi aims to help these artists flourish and spread this art to all parts of the world.  The artisans are generally very poor and belong to rural parts of Odissa. A little encouragement and support can get them to enjoy their art more, and bring a smile on their faces.  Let us hope we can help them to give a better life to their children and their families. Let us bring in more peace to the world.