“PATACHITRA” PAINTING FROM THE STATE MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF RELIGION
Regional painting of Indian state Orissa “patachitra” together with other Indian folk paintings take particular place in Indian culture and art. “Patachitra” is translated as “painting on the cloth”. It reflects religious and mythological aspects of Orissa culture and is connected with Jagannath cult and temple ceremonies. Feast “Ratha-yatra” in June - July brings together thousands of pilgrims. Principal rituals with “patachitra” paintings are concentrated around this festival. Paintings named “anasara patti” are substituted images of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra in the temple during the ceremony of ritual ablution and 15 days renovation. Paintings “jatri patti” are made for pilgrims. This article deals with distinctive peculiarities of “patachitra” paintings, which occupy important place among Indian regional paintings, and some patterns of this painting from Indian collection of the State Museum of the History of Religion.