Paitkar Painting Of Jharkhand

Method of creating Paitkar Paintings

A key feature of this painting is its special technique, which involves detailed line work and the use of natural colors. Artists usually start by applying a base of black or white pigment, often made from charcoal or rice paste. Then, they use fine brushes made from animal hair or bamboo to create intricate designs, patterns, and stories. The paintings are known for their bold outlines, geometric shapes, and stylized figures, all crafted with great precision and attention to detail.

Color Palette used for Paitkar Art

The Paitkar artisans paint using colors that are inspired by their surroundings. Their color scheme consists of a small number of colors. They only collect the true primary colors like red, yellow, and blue and blend it to make a wider range of colors.  The primary colors in Paitkar's earlier paintings were deep brown, black, and olive green. Later, ochre yellow, indigo, and other colors were used to create the transition. A common color choice for artworks that portray myths and religions is red. Painters sometimes define the color white by not using white paint, instead utilizing "paper white" or "blank" paper.

Motifs and Themes of Paitkar

Paitkar paintings are filled with symbols and ideas from nature, tribal tales, rituals, and daily life. You'll often spot animals such as birds, elephants, and horses, as well as natural things like trees, flowers, and rivers in these paintings. They often depict scenes from tribal stories, religious happenings, and farming tasks, giving us a peek into the vibrant culture of the region. Each symbol in these paintings has its own special meaning, reflecting the spiritual beliefs and social values of the native people. They have animals, plants, and landscapes from nature, along with stories from tribal legends. Sometimes they show ceremonies and customs of the tribes, and other times they just show daily activities like farming. They also illustrate celebrations and gatherings in tribal communities. These paintings use symbols to represent what the tribes believe in spiritually and what they value socially. Overall, Paitkar paintings are a way for tribes in Jharkhand to share their way of life and customs with others.

Cultural Significance of Paitkar 

Paitkar paintings are deeply important to the tribal communities of Jharkhand. They help keep tribal traditions alive by passing down stories and customs from one generation to the next, which strengthens their sense of who they are and where they come from. The first artist to create Paitkar paintings was King Dhabaldeva. The name of this art form comes from the local word ‘Patekar’. Paitkar paintings are well-known for their use in storytelling, which is an important social and religious tradition in the region. These paintings often depict Hindu gods, mythological creatures, legendary tales, and scenes from everyday life. This old style of painting also has a strong connection to Ma Mansa, a beloved goddess in tribal households. These paintings are tied to social and religious traditions, like giving offerings and performing spiritual rituals. Additionally, making Paitkar paintings gives tribal artists a way to make a living, supporting their traditional skills and boosting the local economy.

Impact of Covid-19 on Paitkar Artform

In Amadubi village, only a few people still practice Paitkar painting, even though most villagers are familiar with the art. This is mainly because they face challenges in selling their paintings due to limited resources. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many villagers found it difficult to sustain themselves economically through Paitkar painting. As a result, they turned to various other occupations such as carpentry, sculpting, tailoring, farming, raising cattle, and other odd jobs to make ends meet. Because of this shift, the tradition of Paitkar painting has become very rare in the village.

Efforts to promote and support Paitkar artisans