A Study on Famous ‘Pattachitra’ (Painting on Clothes) in Puri district of Odisha, India
Abstract
The study was carried out to get an idea about the artisans mainly involved with ‘Pattachitra’ preparation at Raghurajpur village, Puri district of Odisha. It was conducted in the first week of February 2023. This is purely a field-based study and data was collected directly from the beneficiaries where all 165 households were involved with different types of crafts, particularly one which continues from long ago known as 'Pattachitra' (painting on clothes). Puri district needs no introduction, as the place is famous for the Jagannath Dev temple and its vibrant beach attracts tourists from across the world. The district is spread over an area of 3051 square kilometers, inhabited by 16, 98, 730 persons (as per the 2011 Census), with a density of population is 488 persons per square kilometer. The rural population was 15.5 percent of the total population and the urban population was 84.5 percent. On the other hand, Schedule Caste (SC) population constituted 19.1 percent and Schedule Tribe (ST) was 0.4 percent. The average literacy rate in Puri for urban regions was 87.38 and the same in rural areas was 84.16 percent. But the district is famous for different types of handlooms and handicrafts. In the village, it was observed that some people took baths in the river which flows in the village but there were no sheds or rooms in the vicinity to change clothes so people in general and ladies in particular faced problems. In view of this, it is suggested that 2/3 rooms or sheds may be constructed there by the local government giving top priority to it.
