Palm Leaf Pattachitra Painting

The ethnic art form essentially consists of inscribing letters and artistic designs on palm-leaf, mostly cut into standard sizes and held together with two wooden plank covers stringed through a hole in the center. To prepare the palm leaf, the unripe leaves of the palm tree are first cut and semi dried.

Palm Leaf Painting is a sacred art of Orissa and even to this date the use of palm leaves can be observed. The use of palm leaves earlier were witnessed as manuscripts where the palm leaves were used as writing materials. They were used to record the moments and traditional narratives and also to pass on the knowledge to the forthcoming generations. Palm leaf manuscript is one of the ancient medium of writing in India particularly in Southern India, the practice that has also led to the origination of exquisite Palm Leaf Painting of Orissa. The ancient art creators devised the writing on palm leaves to an art form for etching and painting. It is noted to have begun from the Odisha state that is also known as Orissa.  The accurate start of this form of art is difficult to say. However, considering the mention of palm leaf in several literary works and its pictorial representation realized in several sculptures and monuments it is accounted to be the oldest.