Tala Pattachitra takes its roots from Orissa, a state in Eastern India which also is the origin of several other prominent Indian art forms. Initially used to decorate the literature text with images, Tala-Pattachitra evolved as an art in itself (tala – palm, Patta – leaf, Chitra – illustration) during 5 – 12th century BC. Figurines in the artform revolve around the principal Hindu deity, Lord Jagannath located in Puri, Orissa. The entire art is etched on dried palm leaves with a sharp steel stylus and then soot is rubbed all over to give color to lines etched.
Vaishnavism and Shaivism are the two major sects of Hindu religion where the followers accept Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva as Supreme being respectively. Both the sects believe in the different path (way of life) but same destiny: to attain salvation. Despite the differences, the soul concept of Hinduism prescribes a set of four goals as the objectives of human pursuit – Dharma (righteousness, moral values), Artha (prosperity, economic values), Kama (pleasure, love, psychological values) and Moksha (liberation, spiritual values). Putting all four together, one has to learn & understand moral values, live by it in order to overcome humanly desires, finally attaining moksha to merge with the creator, ending the cycle of birth and death.
