Divine expressions : the saura paintings of Orissa

The video is a documentation of the Saura paintings of Odisha and it includes interviews with artists and officials conducted in local languages with subtitles provided in English.The Sauras are demographically one of the most significant tribes of Odisha. They are known for their distinctive paintings called itals or evitals. Saura paintings are traditionally made on the red or brown clay walls of homes with natural dyes prepared from rice, flower, leaf extracts and white stone. These are ritual paintings made in honour of the dead with the purpose of preventing sickness and disease and for the welfare of the family. Saura paintings are also connected to the fertility cult. The main theme of these paintings is the Saura household which is represented in the shape of a square, circle or rectangle.