In India, floor and wall paintings are a distinctive form of artistic expression. People from many regions of the country decorate their homes with rangolis and other artwork that is an integral part of their cultural history. In rural Odisha, Jhoti or Chita is a traditional art form that is painted on the walls and floors. It is a crucial component of celebrations, religious events, and social gatherings. The Jhoti is a rice paste-based craft that features floral, geometric, animal, and religious patterns.
How Is Jhoti Chita Made?
In rural Odisha, women often decorate their homes’ walls and floors with Jhoti Chitas, which are figures or floral designs. The rice paste used to make each Jothi Chita is a semi-liquid. Either the patterns are formed with the fingers directly or with a piece of cloth fastened to a twig. Additionally, to create the ideal contrast, the surface on which the Jhoti Chita is produced is occasionally first smeared with the earthy red hue Dhau.
After drawing the painting’s outline, the paste is applied inside the sketch’s or design’s defined borders. In addition, many drawing methods are utilized to create the Jhoti Chita. The fabric that is linked to the twig is frequently used to paint with. On other situations, dipping your fingers in the rice paste is all that is necessary to produce a magnificent effect. In addition, the paste is occasionally just lightly dusted on the wall, giving the painting the appearance of a sheaf of paddy with a delicate touch and hand swirl.
Jhoti Chitas are always made with rice paste and are white in color. Thus, they are different from Rangolis, which are created using a variety of hues and shades. Besides, in Jhoti Chita the white signifies purity, peace and prosperity.
When Is Jhoti Chita Created?
On all festivals and special occasions, jhoti chitas are created. This covers social practices including marriage, childbirth, and other rituals. However, during the numerous festivals, such as Manabasa Gurubara, Basanti, Raja, Jhulana, Karthika, Lakshmi Puja, Dola, etc., this art form flourishes and discovers its real wings.
Perhaps one of the most significant festivals in Odisha is Manabasa Gurubara. Additionally, it’s one of the key occasions when the Jhoti Chitas are fervently and devotedly made. During the Hindu month of Margasira, which typically occurs between November and December, it is observed. Every Thursday throughout this month, Goddess Lakshmi is said to be present in every home, according to myth. During this time, the Kharif crop is also harvested. As a result, the married women of the household make Jhoti Chita every Thursday that features images of Mother Lakshmi’s feet. In fact, attracting Goddess Lakshmi, who is thought to provide prosperity and happiness, is one of the Jhoti Chita’s principal purposes. As a sign of the Goddess’ welcome, little feet or foot prints are painted on various Jhoti Chita paintings.
Symbolic Significance & Designs in Jhoti
On the surface, the Jhoti Chita paintings appear to be created for home decoration during important occasions. They do, however, have importance that goes far beyond purely aesthetic or decorative ones. The majority of the motifs and patterns in the Jhoti Chita have symbolic meaning. Similar to how the feet are painted to signify the presence of Goddess Lakshmi, there are many additional designs that have mystical and spiritual connotations. For instance, during Lakshmi Puja and Manabasa Gurubara, rice sheaves or paddy are drawn in a pile and stacked in the shape of a pyramid. Additionally, the Jhoti Chita, which depicts Dhana Shishaas or mounds of paddy, is typically painted on the huts’ exterior walls.
Red dots are painted over white dots during Durga Puja to represent the adoration of both Shakti and Shiva. Additionally, Jhoti Chita uses a number of themes and symbols that are also found in PattaChitra.
Many Jhoti Chitas also have Lord Jagannath and Lord Vishnu symbols. Lotus flowers, wheels, conch shells, and the mace or gada are a few examples. However, the piles of paddy are a constant emblem of Lakshmi’s presence and of success and prosperity.
The Swapna Padma Chita, a circular artwork that is rather large in size, is one of the most exquisite and intricate works of art. The Jhoti Chitas are also painted on the doorways of houses, on clay jars, in grain storage sites, and around deities.
There are, however, some figures and designs that are drawn purely for artistic and beautiful purposes. Peacocks, the Kumbh, fish, elephants, and other animals are a some of the designs that are frequently painted on Jhoti Chita. The motifs combine floral and geometric shapes to create a stunning visual wonder.
Besides, once the Jhoti Chita is created no one walks over it. Certain paintings that are offerings for Gods and Goddesses are not even swept away with a broom. Instead, they are wiped with a wet cloth.
