Besides, the social and cultural traditions, art, handicraft, dances, theatres are also important reason behind the popularity of Orissa as a tourist destination. Wide variety of painting of Orissa are an important part of its art and craft and are very important things to see.
Speaking about painting of Orissa, one must not forget to mention about 'Patachitra' or icon-painting, which is the most unique part of its art and crafts. Patachitra or icon paintings include wall paintings, painting on clothes, palm-leaf etching and manuscript painting. Patachitra is the oldest form of painting of Orissa and is popular all over the country. In early days, Patachitras were generally drawn by the Mahapatras and Maharanas and were mainly based on mythological themes. Gradually patachitra became a part of the ornamentation of Lord Jagannath. Apart from the style of drawing, the process of preparing the colors for painting is also a unique feature of Patachitra. All materials that were used for Patachitras were from vegetable, mineral and earth sources. The black color was made out of lamp black, the yellew color from haritali stone and red from hingal stone and white was made from boiled, crushed and filtred shells.
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