Bengaluru celebrates Chittara artform | Bengaluru News
Chittara, a folk art from North Karnataka brought its intricate geometric patterns to Bengaluru for an exhibition. This historic artform is made using natural materials and traditionally drawn on the walls and floors of homes. ‘CHITTARA ART IS AT LEAST 200 YEARS OLD’Geeta Hebbar, the organiser, says, “This is a 200-year-old artform majorly practised by women from a particular community and is passed down through generations. They express their feelings, emotions, joy, and everything through Chittara art. The women of this community associate themselves closely with nature; they have brought out different symbols, having meaning and a deep connection with nature.” ‘TRADITIONAL ARTFORM IS GOING GLOBAL’Geeta explains that there is quite an interest for the artform at venues abroad too. “People outside of our country are so fascinated with this artform, especially when they learned that it comes from a small village in India. They felt an instant connection,” she says. “They were most impressed to see how natural colours were used in unique traditional ways. They appreciated how deeply rooted Chittara is in nature, and admired its beauty and meaning.” ‘EACH PATTERN HAS ITS
MEANING’
Every design and pattern in Chittara has a meaning associated with it. From borders on the entrance of the house, to painting mud pots for cultural events, every painting has a different meaning, explains Geeta. “Vessels used during festivals are hand-painted by artists. Again, each of the patterns here has a different meaning that adds cultural value to the entire customs and traditions followed.”
