Each state; each district; each region of India is a mecca of tradition. One may find many folk arts and rituals. Whether it is Jaipur’s Blue Pottery, Madhya Pradesh’s Bhil, or Tamil Nadu’s Tanjore paintings, each of these eclectic art forms is nuanced and differs greatly from each other. There might be overlaps, with some regions adapting and reinventing the art form. One of the tribal art forms, which is often eclipsed by Warli paintings, solely due to its similarity, are Saura painting of Orissa.
Saura Painting Odisha
Saura tribal paintings bear an uncanny resemblance to Warli paintings of Maharashtra. It is a style of mural painting, which is indigenous to the Saura tribes of Odisha. They are also known as ‘Italons,’ ‘ikons’ or ‘’ekons,’ and hold religious values for the tribe. The Saura tribe is one of the oldest tribes in India. They were also mentioned in the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The paintings are worshipped during special events, such as childbirth, weddings, and harvest. While these paintings need not be recreated daily, they are required during the construction of a new house. Traditionally, these ‘ikons’ were drawn by the priestly class, the ‘Kudangs.’ While drawing, they would also explain the nature and symbolism of every figure featured in the paintings. This oral tradition is perhaps the biggest factor, which has preserved Saura painting history.
Saura Tribal Painting Themes
Most of the Saura painting images are dedicated to the tribal deity of the Saura, ‘Idital’ or ‘Edital.’ The paintings borrow images from tribal folklore and myths. The paintings feature mostly pregnant characters performing routine chores; livelihood; and entertainment. Popular motifs include people, equines, celestial bodies, and the tree of life. These were often painted outside the Saura tribes’ adobe huts in their village. The backdrop of Saura painting designs is made of red or yellow ochre earth. These colours are applied using bamboo shoots. Most of the colours employed in the Saura tribal paintings are natural dyes made of ground white stones, rice, vermillion, cow dung tamarind seeds, and leaf & flower extracts.
The Difference Between Warli and Saura Paintings
While there remains some similarity between Saura paintings and Warli paintings, such as the red/yellow backdrop, clear geometrical frame, wave-like patterns, and the abundant use of circles & triangles, they are indeed two different traditions. Upon close inspection, one would be unable to differentiate between the more elongated male and female forms in the ikons. A fish net also approaches from the border of these paintings. Hence, unlike Warli, the Lanjia Saura paintings are done from the outside in. The sharpness and the delineation of the stick figures are also a distinction between the two.
Image Courtesy – Vatsal Jain via Medium
