Orissa Muruja Paintings

The Orissa Muruja Paintings illustrate the creativity and the diverse forms of artistic expressions that have originated in the east Indian state. The origin of the paintings of Orissa can be traced back to antiquity as evinced by the days when the primitive man would carve out colorful rock-shelter images on the walls of the caves. Orissa's cultural extravaganzas and artistic pursuits has moved forward by leaps and bounds since those days and the contemporary art forms are represented by the likes of the Muruja paintings.

The procedure involved in the muruja paintings commences with the muruja being drawn on the flowers with multi hued powders. It is interesting to note that the different colors of the pulverized grains all owe their origin to natural sources. While stones are ground to yield the white powder, the charred coconut shells generate the black powder. The petals of marigold or turmeric are used to procure the yellow paste while dry leaves are crushed to give the green powder and the red hues are obtained from bricks or red clay.

The muruja paintings have gained prominence owing to their use in religious ceremonies where they are used in the form of mandalas. During the month of November or Kartik that is considered to be highly sacred in the Indian calender, the women seek penitence for all their worldly sins and transgressions and diligently design the elaborate muruja pattern near the holy tulsi plant. This art form demands consummate skill, talent and expertise. The powder is gingerly held at the fingertips from where it crumbles down to form the fine lines and patterns and present a sight that captivates the spectator with their dazzling beauty.