Pattachitra

For centuries, storytellers carried painted scrolls across villages, unrolling epics as they sang. But Pattachitra, India’s ancient scroll art, began to fade with time. Today, artists and communities are bringing it back—stroke by stroke—reviving a 2,000-year-old legacy with new voices, new media, and the same timeless stories.

Odisha’s Raghurajpur village is a hub of Pattachitra, an indigenous art form, with at least one artist involved in the trade in every family. This art form dates back to the 12th century.

A true celebration of every ethnicity is effortlessly exemplified through its souvenirs and keepsakes, and give one a periscopic insight into a region’s history, culture and geography.

There are many artisans who live in India's numerous little towns and villages and churn out masterpieces with their hands, but fail to find the visibility they deserve.

India’s diverse folk art traditions are more than just an important part of our culture. They are a link to India’s past and traditions, and several organisations, individuals, and initiatives are working to preserve them in recognition of their role.