A chronicle of Champamal Paintings

Odisha has different styles of paintings, depending on the locations, people and beliefs. The most-publicised styles of paintings are Patachitra (Pata Painting) and Dakhainee (the painting style of south western Odisha). Their themes are derived from Mahabharata, Ramayana and ceremonies associated with Lord Jagannatha.

Champamal painting is a style based on local themes like Bali Jatra, Dhunkel Osa, Maa Mauli, Pua Jiuntia, Bhai Jiuntia, Hanuman Podi and many others. These themes are alien to other styles. The name is derived from the village Champamal, located near Birmaharajpur town. The Moharanas (Chitrakars) practised, propagated and preserved the style. The temple of Champeswar Mahadev in the village is the example of Champamala style. The speciality of the style is their naturalness and presentation of the local traditions and social belief. The painting described Bali Jatra as a unique example. Through Bali or Barua, Goddess Durga is invoked for blessing the devotees. Bali passes through the various states of mind and body, namely, Spandan, Ghurni, Udvaba, Ananda, Nidra, Murchha and Jagriti. The corresponding English terms are Tremor, Gyration, Levitation, Elation, Peaceful Sleep, Swooning and Awakening.

Budhi Maa Osa: Budhi Maa is the presiding deity of the Dera community, who migrated from Brahmapur in search of employment. They settled in a place together and called it Dera Sahi. Budhi Maa is flanked by two other goddesses, Bhagabati and Stambeswari. Bhagabati is the presiding deity of Banpur in Puri district and Stambeswari is of Subarnapur. The Deras came as labourers, but because of the blessings of Goddess Budhi Maa, they graduated as entrepreneurs, traders and government employees. Dera Sahi has transformed itself from clusters of jhopdis to pucca houses. The painting describes this transformation and Budhi Maa Osa.

The game of Ganjappa is a unique card game played with 144 cards. The painting describes the war between Rama and Ravana. Rama and Ravana each have six groups in their armies. The cards are circular in shape. Each group has different colours. Rama’s group has red, deep yellow, grey, white, deep blue and green while Ravana’a group has deep red, mustard, black, rose, blue and light yellow. Preparation of the cards is a labour-intensive process, but the cards are unique in their design and colour.

In the olden days, Chitrakars used to paint the insides and outsides of temples. At the time of Ratha Jatra, they used to do the Banaka (colouring of Lord Jagannatha). Ganjappa was a very popular game patronised by kings and rich people. The Chitrakars had lots of work in their hands and were able to earn a decent living. The time changed the entire scheme of things. Temple painting is no more prevalent. Ganjappa lost its popularity.  Chitrakars ran out of work. In the process, painting styles were forgotten. An attempt has been made to document the history of and painting styles in the book “Champamal Paintings’ for the posterity and for future generations of artists to refer to.