motif analysis of chittara paintings

CHITTARA FOLK ART OF KARNATAKA 

Bhootu

  

      

    Women of Deewaru community soak their fingers in the paint and place it on the boomanabooti to decorate them. And also, the main entrance of the house is decorated as a sign of religious markings. It is either made from turmeric or saffron. The turmeric is dried and powdered with a bit of slaked lime, which turns the rich yellow powder into a red color.

 Boomanibooti & Hachambibooti 

     A large & small baskets respectively in which they carry pooja materials and specially cooked food which is offered to the Mother Earth while performing the rituals during the harvest season. The basket is very convenient in carrying these items. The drawings on these baskets will be a woman carrying the basket with  her companions, decorated with the prints of  ladder, Bullock carts, house, birds sitting on the plant etc.

Surya (Symbol of Energy) Sun

Chandra  (Symbol  of  Tranquility), 

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  A small platform called Eda Kallu is built in the kitchen painted in red earth and big water pots are placed on it. This is the most sacred place in their house and is considered like a temple. They paint the Sun and the Moon behind Eda Kallu symbolizing their ancestors. This is in belief that their ancestors should shine like the sun and be composed as the moon and remain with them forever. This was an act of paying utmost tribute to the elders in the family, especially the ancestors. It implied to show reverence and remembrance to our elders and to be grateful to them for their efforts in making our Life beautiful. This also meant to be respectful towards our teachers.

           These are the major motifs that are used in chittara Paintings to describe their cultural life in maland, Karnataka. 

    The next blog will be about visual dairy and the important information that are necessary for inspiration to make any design.