Skip to main content

Age-old Glory of Orissa Tribes- Saura Painting

Saura art is the type of wall painting done by the Saura tribes, Which were spread over the eastern part of India.  The other name for saura painting is ikons/ekons.
The saura people have religious importance for this painting. Previously the wall of the houses was adored by the saura painting, but now the art is well known throughout India. The art shows the history, philosophy, and religious belief of the tribe.

Saura Tribes
Few of the most Asian tribes mentioned in the epic of Ramayan and Mahabharata.  Sabrai and Jara were from the saura tribes. Sabrai, Ram’s devotee in the  Ramayana and Jara, The hunter who mortally wounded Lord Krishna with an arrow. 
Methods and symbols
 The custom is to decorate the houses of villagers with red or brown clay walls and develop designs with natural dyes made from rice, white stone, and flowers and leaves extracts using a brush made with tender bamboo. The deity of the Saura are commonly painted on it. Idital deity and other deities are made during special occasion like harvest, childbirth, marriage etc during which they are workshipped.
The figures in saura artworks are mostly recurring motifs and symbols such as people, tree of life, the sun and moon, horses, and elephants which all holds their own symbolism. Only the priest  is allowed to draw the art on wall and explain the meaning to village folk as well transfer tribal custom and tradition in a oral way.

Difference between Saura painting and Warli painting 
At one look saura seems to be the twin of other one. The two art forms are often undistinguished. But there are few differences between the two and that is composition of the forms to the pattern in which they are placed which make each artform distinct.
The warli figures are more angular than saura where the human body is depicted by two sharp triangles conjoined at the apex. Warli forms are smaller and less extended than the saura art. With no physical difference between male and female shapes, another unique features of saura art is the fishnet approach with which all the art world are made. Each saura artwork starts with a carefully drawn boarders and then the patterns close in to the center to form the intricate compositions.

Saura painting in modern world
Various changes has occur in the modern world of saura art.
The art form done on walls of the village houses, today seen in sarees, notebooks, phone covers, and many more with the modernization of art form, many modern items are decorated with saura art like vase, wall hanging, pillow covers, and more in list.
Even the colors used are not nature. Today it is hugely spread and known in parts of India. Even modern symbols can be seen in the saura art.

Conclusion 
Saura art is the symbol of culture, history, and religious beliefs of the people of saura tribes. Now, saura tribes are known for their saura art and the art evolved as a marketable art form.
Though limited people of saura tribes are benefited by the modernization of the art, but at least an ancient art form which might have got vanished now protected.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Traditional Folk Art - Kantha Embroidery

One of the oldest and most famous forms of Indian embroidery from West Bengal and Orissa. Rural women practice this embroidery and pass it on to generations and it is also a common dowry tradition. These women not only embroidered the Kantha work on appeals but in décor also. The best thing about Kantha is that it didn’t need any additional ornamentation to make it look amazing and the reason it can be used in different forms and for various purposes. History Searching history first story believed that the earliest written record is earlier than 500 years ago. The poet krishnadas kaviraj wrote in his book Sri Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita how Chaitanya’s mother sent a homemade Kantha to her son in Puri. Kantha had quiet beginnings in the rural setting of Bengal and almost vanished in the early 19th century. Another story is believed that Lord Buddha and his discipline use old rugs with different kinds of patchwork to cover themselves and th...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Traditional Craft of Punjab - Phulkari Embroidery

In the 15th century, phulkari embroidery was first begun by the women folk of Punjab. A tradition of Punjab with bright and vibrant colors the phulkari is consist of two words phul means Flowers and kari mean Work. word phulkari means floral work but it is not only restricted to floral designs it also includes various motifs and geometrical patterns and shapes. The embroidery has its charm and is popular not only in India but worldwide.   Origin There are various theories about the origin of phulkari. One among them is embroidery was prevailed in most of India, But survived in Punjab. You can see a glimpse of it in Kashida of Bihar, And some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.  Another view is that the embroidery came from Iran, in there it is known as Gulkari. However, pal (1960) notes that both the style phulkari and Gulkari are distant. Ancient texts, folk legends, and literature of Punjab have references of phulkari. In Harshcha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unusual Art of Himachal Pradesh- Chamba Embroidery

The chamba rumal is an embroidered handicraft that was once promoted in the rule of chamba kingdom. It was a common item of gifts during marriages. The chamba has been registered for protection under TRIPS agreement. It was also listed as “chamba Rumal” under the GI act 1999 of government of India.  History and origin The word Chamba rumal gets it name from chamba hill station in Himachal Pradesh. The chamba rural is originated and flourish during 18th and early 20th century, due to theme being similar to miniature painting, it also known as painting in embroidery.  Chamba rumal embroidery were gifted in the wedding ceremonies and rituals during 17th century. Gradually local craft people, especially woman, began to spread and practice the art.  Stitch techniques   Inspiration for the chamba rumals is derived from the combination of miniature art with embroidery. They are commonly in square or rectangle fabric size. The...
Post a Comment
Read more