Pattachitra Workshop: Pattachitra is a cloth-based scroll painting, that originated in the eastern Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal. The name Pattachitra has evolved from the Sanskrit words patta, meaning canvas, and Chitra, meaning picture. Rajasthan Studio curated a Pattachitra Workshop and invited Monali Mohanty. Monali is a self-taught artist from Orissa, currently based in Mumbai. She loves to explore different kinds of art forms but her heart has a soft corner for folk art forms. On the occasion of the seventh day of Navratri, Monali wanted circle members to experience an art form from the eastern part of the county.

The Pattachitra Workshop Began

To honour the spirit of Navratri, Monali drew a figure of a woman getting ready for the festive season. She started by drawing the prominent features like the forehead, nose, lips and chin. She paid special emphasis on making eyebrows and perfect almond-shaped eyes. All 42 attendees were taking the deep internet in learning the new art form. Most of them were trying their hand for the first time and drawing along with Monali and taking real-time feedback from her. With her expertise in this art form, she made difficult curves of the drawing look easy and elegant. Once the image of a woman holding a mirror was ready, Monali began the painting process. She said,

The beauty of Indian folk art forms is they are full of details, no corner of the painting is left empty

Towards The End Of The Workshop

As the colour of the day was green, so Monali gave a vibrant green background to the painting and dark green colour to the saree. She patiently explained the importance of jewellery in women’s lives and also how to give accurate detailing using a paintbrush. Participants successfully learnt a new art form with a rich history attached to it. 

Rooftop as always was successful in connecting artists and curating a magical and positive vibe together.

Here’s us signing off until next time!