chittara paintings
Chittara Vastra – Ritual Cloth of the Dheevara Community
Chittara Vastra – Ritual Cloth of the Dheevara Community
Chittara Vastra – Ritual Cloth of the Dheevara Community
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Dimensions: 50 cm (W) × 50 cm (H)
Medium: Acrylic colours on handmade paper
Description: This ceremonial vastra is used by grooms during weddings in Karnataka’s Dheevara community. Hand-drawn in the Chittara style using rice paste on a red base, it features squares and lines filled with symbolic motifs. Each pattern represents blessings of happiness, friendship, prosperity, and harmony. More than decoration, this cloth embodies ritual, tradition, and sacred intention—making it a powerful symbol of auspicious beginnings.
Theru - The Chariot
Chittara Vastra – Ritual Cloth of the Dheevara Community
Chittara Vastra – Ritual Cloth of the Dheevara Community
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Dimensions: 51.2 cm (W) x 71 cm (H)
Medium: Acrylic colors on canvas
Description: This exquisite Chittara artwork portrays Theru, the sacred chariot central to South Indian temple festivals and ritual processions. Featuring a prominent triangular form symbolizing the deity or divine presence, the design is enriched with rhythmic geometric patterns that convey movement and spirituality. Surrounding the chariot, dynamic figures are depicted pulling, dancing, and celebrating, capturing the vibrant essence of devotion, community, and cultural festivity. Hand-painted by skilled women artisans of the Deewaru community, this piece embodies centuries-old traditions, blending ritual significance with artistic elegance.
Tirigemane – Sacred Stand Motif in Chittara Art
Tirigemane – Sacred Stand Motif in Chittara Art
Tirigemane – Sacred Stand Motif in Chittara Art
Dimensions: 51.2 cm (W) x 71 cm (H)
Medium: Acrylic colors on handmade paper
Description: The Tirigemane motif, a distinctive feature of Chittara art from Karnataka’s Deewaru community, symbolizes the sacred stand used to place the Kalasha—a ceremonial pot central to Hindu rituals. This intricate design showcases a harmonious interplay of geometric shapes such as lines, triangles, and squares, woven together to form a complex, mat-like pattern. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Tirigemane carries profound spiritual significance, representing stability, sanctity, and the embodiment of divine energy in ritual spaces. This motif not only embellishes ritual settings but also inspires contemporary art and textiles, making it a meaningful symbol for collectors, art enthusiasts, and those seeking to connect with India’s tribal traditions.
Hasegode – Wedding Hall Motif in Chittara Art
Tirigemane – Sacred Stand Motif in Chittara Art
Tirigemane – Sacred Stand Motif in Chittara Art
Dimensions: 62.5 cm (W) x 61 cm (H)
Medium: Acrylic colors on handmade paper
Description: Hasegode is a striking motif in Chittara art, traditionally created by the women of Karnataka’s Deewaru community to represent the wedding hall during marriage ceremonies. At its center lies a prominent square, symbolizing the sacred mandap—the spiritual heart of the wedding where the bride and groom are seated.Surrounding this central space are rhythmic geometric patterns and ritual symbols that convey themes of love, union, and divine blessings. At the bottom of the composition, joyous groups of people are depicted singing and dancing, celebrating the marriage with music, movement, and community spirit.