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Authentic Alchemy

The Alchemist’s Palette

In Pattachitra, no chemical tubes are opened. Every shade is a gift from the Earth, meticulously prepared by hand.

Explore the Colors

The Ritual of Color Making

1

Sourcing

Raw minerals, conch shells, and stones are gathered from nature's bounty.

2

Pulverizing

Materials are crushed into micro-fine powders using traditional stone mortars.

3

Binding

Natural wood-apple gum (Kapitha) is added to ensure permanence and glow.

4

Filtering

The mixture is filtered through fine cloth to achieve a velvety smoothness.

Explore the Five Sacred Colors

Organic Pigment Detail

Sankha (Conch Shell White)

Raw Material: Sea Conch Shells from the Puri Coast.

Significance: Purity, divine energy, and the supreme cosmic sound.

The shells are burned, ground to a micro-powder, mixed with wood apple gum, and filtered multiple times to create a velvety, non-yellowing white pigment that serves as the base for all Pattachitra masterpieces.

Organic Pigment Detail

Hingula (Vermillion Red)

Raw Material: Natural Cinnabar Stone Ore.

Significance: Shakti, auspicious beginnings, and fierce divine power.

The rare mineral cinnabar is painstakingly crushed and washed inside stone mortars for several days, then combined with natural gum to yield the iconic temple-sanctum red.

Organic Pigment Detail

Haritala (Orpiment Yellow)

Raw Material: Arsenic Trisulfide Crystal.

Significance: Knowledge, wisdom, and the glow of solar deities.

Naturally occurring harital stone crystals are pulverized, ground continuously on stone slabs for 48 hours, and blended with natural binder for a permanent brilliant yellow.

Organic Pigment Detail

Rama-raja (Terra Verde Green)

Raw Material: Green Stones or a blend of Haritala and Nila.

Significance: Nature, life, growth, and the lush forests of Odisha.

Obtained from specific green stones found in the hills or by masterfully mixing yellow and blue minerals, Rama-raja is used to depict the vibrant natural world and the garments of divine figures.

Organic Pigment Detail

Kala (Kajal Lampblack)

Raw Material: Mustard Oil Lamp Soot.

Significance: Protection from evil, mystery, and grounding presence.

Soot is collected over earthenware plates held above burning mustard oil lamps. The carbon is scraped, washed with water, and mixed with gum to produce the deepest, permanent matte black.

From Earth to Canvas

The raw elements that breathe life into our art.

01

Sacred Conch Shells
Sacred Shells

Sourced from the holy shores of Puri.

02

Mineral Ores
Mineral Ores

Rare stones crushed for eternal vibrancy.

03

Natural Gums
Wood-Apple Gum

The natural binder that seals the soul.

04

Traditional Stone Mortar
Stone Mortars

Generational tools for micro-grinding.

Experience the Glow of Organic Art

Commission a masterpiece created with these eternal pigments.