A Pachyderm Bonanza

Pata-chitra, such as this, means a scroll painting on canvas. They originate from Puri in Orissa and mainly have the icons of Sri Jagannath, Balathadra and Subhadra. However, there are other categories of remarkable paintings.

This pata-chitra depicts elephants in different colours, moods and postures. The elephant in Indian ethos occupies a significant place. They are associated with clouds and life giving rain. Indra rides an elephant and Lakshmi, the goddess of good luck, is often shown being bathed by elephants.

The brown, black and grey elephants are interspersed with a powder blue ones which is an uncommon colour. Running, strolling, sitting, lying - elephants are shown in these postures and more. They are all adorned with ornaments and rich cloth covering their back. The royal animal looks royal! The painting exudes a feeling of joy and happiness. Each elephant, individually, has that expression as much as their movements have the carefree quality rarely associated with the pachyderm who is considered bulky, wise and grim as an animal.

This description by Kiranjyot