FROM SACRED SCROLLS TO GLOBAL CANVASES: RECONTEXTUALIZING THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF RAGHURAJPUR PATTACHITRA IN A GLOBAL ERA

Abstract [English]

Raghurajpur Pattachitra stands as a significant embodiment of India’s living folk art traditions, rooted deeply in religious devotion, ritual practice, and mythological storytelling. Originating as sacred painted scrolls used by chitrakars in association with the Jagannath cult of Odisha, Pattachitra historically functioned as a visual medium for oral narration and ritual communication. These scrolls were not merely aesthetic objects but carried profound cultural, spiritual, and performative meanings within localized community contexts. Over time, however, the socio-cultural landscape surrounding this art form has undergone notable transformation, particularly under the influences of globalization, tourism, expanding art markets, and changing systems of patronage.
This paper explores the evolving visual language of Raghurajpur Pattachitra by tracing its journey from ritual-based sacred scrolls to globally circulated artistic artifacts. It examines how traditional iconography, narrative structures, and compositional frameworks have been adapted to suit contemporary formats such as framed paintings, souvenirs, and international exhibitions, while still retaining essential stylistic and symbolic features. Through visual and contextual analysis, the study highlights shifts in themes, materials, scale, color usage, and aesthetic sensibilities that reflect both continuity and change within the tradition. At the same time, the paper critically engages with debates surrounding authenticity, commercialization, and cultural sustainability. Rather than viewing market adaptation as cultural dilution, the study argues that these transformations reveal the resilience and adaptive strength of Pattachitra as a living artistic tradition. The artisans of Raghurajpur negotiate tradition and innovation by responding to global audiences while consciously preserving inherited visual codes, mythological narratives, and ritual associations. In doing so, Pattachitra participates in a broader global dialogue, where indigenous art forms assert relevance without abandoning cultural roots. By situating Raghurajpur Pattachitra within the larger framework of pluralism, continuity, and global interaction in Indian art, this paper contributes to contemporary discussions on how traditional visual cultures survive, transform, and thrive in a globalized world. The study ultimately emphasizes that the evolving nature of Pattachitra does not signify cultural erosion but affirms the dynamic continuity of Indian folk art traditions in the present era.