The recent pandemic has greatly affected our lives in various ways, including our ability to celebrate cultural festivals and support local artisans. This is particularly noticeable in Odisha’s Ganjam district, which recently saw the ban of the Meru Jatra festival due to Covid-19. Furthermore, the sale of Pattachitra paintings has also been negatively impacted by the current crisis.
The Impact of Covid-19 on the Meru Jatra Festival
Traditionally, the Meru Jatra festival marks the culmination of a 21-day-long festival of penance, known as ‘Danda Nata’, celebrated in the month of ‘Chaitra’. This religious festival involves self-inflicted pain or ‘Danda’ as a form of worship to lord Kali, lord Shiva, and his consort Parvati. These rituals date back to 8th and 9th AD after the decline of Buddhism in Orissa.
On the day of Mahavishub Sankranti, which marks the start of the Odia New Year, thousands of devotees gather at the Tara Tarini hill shrine and other temples. The twin goddesses Tara and Tarini, who are embodiments of Shakti and the primary deities of the Ganjam district, are worshipped at these sites, particularly at the Tara Tarini hill shrine located on the banks of the Rushikulya river.
However, due to the threat posed by Covid-19, the Ganjam district administration decided to enforce a ban on the Meru Jatra festival and related congregations at temples on 13th April 2020. Prior to this, the famous Chaitra Jatra festival had also been prohibited as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Decline in Pattachitra Painting Sales Amidst Covid-19
In addition to the cultural loss, the pandemic has caused a significant economic impact on local artisans. The sales of Pattachitra paintings, one of the oldest and most cherished art forms in Odisha, have considerably fallen.
Pattachitra, derived from Sanskrit words ‘Patta’ (canvas) and ‘Chitra’ (picture), is a traditional painting style that uses rich colors, creative motifs, and designs to depict mostly mythological themes. Some popular themes include ‘Thia Badhia’ representing Jagannath temple, ‘Krishna Lila’ portraying Lord Krishna’s childhood strengths, ‘Dasabatara Patti’ depicting ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and ‘Panchamukhi’ portraying Lord Ganesh as a five-headed deity.
To create a Pattachitra painting, a cloth is coated with a soft, white stone powder mixed with glue made from tamarind seeds to prepare the canvas. The artist begins by sketching a rough outline using light red and yellow. Traditionally, borders are drawn first. Subsequently, the painter uses primarily white, red, yellow, and black to complete the painting. The final product is lacquered over a charcoal fire, which not only makes the painting water-resistant and durable but also gives it a shiny finish.
Despite the meticulous process involved and the cultural significance of these paintings, the demand for Pattachitra art has been adversely affected due to Covid-19. Like many other cultural milestones and industries, it stands testament to the devastating impacts of the pandemic.