Panchamukhi Ganesha in Sacred Pattachitra Style

About the workshop

Enjoy the learning of Pattachitra painting "Panchamukhi Ganesha in Sacred Pattachitra Style" using traditional motifs and techniques with national awardee artist Mr. Bhaskar Mohapatra

Pattachitra is an ancient art form from Odisha, India, dating back to the 12th century. Artists, called Chitrakars, use 100% natural colors from conch shells and minerals to create intricate paintings on various surfaces like cloth, palm leaves, wood, and jewelry. The art depicts Hindu mythological stories, particularly around Lord Jagannath, Vaishnavism, and local folk tales, reflecting Odia tradition. Evolving, Pattachitra adapted to British and European tastes in the 19th century, preserving its rich legacy with vibrant colors and intricate details, offering a captivating visual representation of Odia culture.

Panchamukhi Ganesha in Sacred Pattachitra Style: This Pattachitra painting is a classic example of the traditional folk art of Odisha, characterized by its vibrant colors and intricate linework. The central figure is a multi-armed Lord Ganesha, often referred to as "Panchamukhi Ganesha" when depicted with five faces or simply as a dancing deity in this ceremonial style. He is shown with a soft pink complexion, which contrasts beautifully against the vivid green floral borders that frame the composition. The background features delicate, hand-painted leaf motifs and symmetrical patterns that are hallmarks of the Chitrakara artisan community. Traditionally, these paintings are created on specially prepared cotton canvas, known as a patta, made from a mixture of chalk and tamarind seed glue. The pigments used are entirely natural, derived from conch shells, stones, and plant extracts, ensuring the longevity of the piece. As a symbol of wisdom and the remover of obstacles, this depiction of Ganesha serves as both a spiritual icon and a celebration of ancient Indian craftsmanship.

In this 3-week workshop, create your masterpiece, learning the techniques and history of this beautiful art form. You can attend live Zoom sessions where you interact with the master artist and other participants, learning not only the art form in depth but also more about the culture of the region. The recorded videos will be available after the sessions as well.

This is a great opportunity to learn the motifs, techniques, and history of this ancient art form. Sign up for the workshop today!

Theme: Panchamukhi Ganesha in Sacred Pattachitra Style
Dates: 23rd Feb to 12th March 2026 (Mon to Thurs)

The first two days of the second week will be a break for Holi.
Time: 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM IST (3 weeks)
Duration: 15 Hours (12 Sessions approx)
Original Price: INR 3400

Learning Objectives and Modules

Learn the intricate design and techniques of Pattachitra paintings along with live artist interaction. Also, learn the importance of Krishna, Ram, and Parshuram in Pattachitra painting, the folk stories behind the paintings, their relevance in modern times, and the peculiar features of Pattachitra painting, from base coloring to detailing.

What we will learn :

To understand the history, origin, and cultural significance of Pattachitra, with a focus on its depictions of deities.
To identify traditional motifs, color schemes, and stylistic elements of Pattachitra.
To discuss the symbolism and stories associated with Ganesh ji
Complete a detailed Pattachitra painting featuring Ganesh ji as the central figures.

Module Details :

Phase 1: Foundations & Base Layers

Module 1: Introduction to Pattachitra and Ganpati ji as a Theme Explore the cultural roots of the art form and the specific iconography of the multi-armed Ganesha shown in your image.
Module 2: Color Application Techniques Practice the fundamentals of flat-filling, subtle shading, and early highlighting to prepare for the main figure.
Module 3: Applying Color Washes to the Figure Focus on the "pink" body of Ganesha, ensuring smooth consistency and staying strictly within the boundaries of the sketch.
Module 4: Traditional Jewelry and Decorative Patterns Study the specific shapes of the crown (mukut), necklaces, and armlets used in the Pattachitra style.

Phase 2: Refinement & Detail

Module 5: Highlighting Ornaments and Figures Apply delicate highlights to the jewelry to create a sense of three-dimensionality and visual impact.
Module 6: Refining Color and Line Accuracy Compare your progress to the original image to ensure the proportions and color tones match the traditional standard.
Module 7: Mastery of Intricate Designs Learn the "fine-motor" techniques required to create the tiny, repetitive motifs that make Pattachitra unique.
Module 8: Background and Border Precision Apply the deep green and decorative patterns to the frame, maintaining high precision in the floral elements.

Phase 3: The Finishing Mastery

Module 9: The Art of Black Outlining. This is the most critical step; learn to use a fine brush to define the eyes, fingers, and muscles with sharp black lines.
Module 10: Final Touches (Layer 1) Focus on secondary outlining and correcting any color overlaps to ensure the figure "pops."
Module 11: Final Touches (Layer 2) Adding white "dots" and fine accents to the jewelry and the eyes (the Chakhyu Dan or opening of the eyes).
Module 12: Final Touches (Polish & Completion) Perform a final review of the entire piece, ensuring the balance between the figure and the background is perfect.

Materials Needed

Material Needed:

Chart Papers / Canvas -13*13 Inches
Acrylic Colors
Pencils / Eraser / Sharpener/Black Colour Pen / Thin Marker
Long Hair Brushes: 0/1/2/3
(Basic Sketch Would Be Provided As Pre-Work For Tracing / Sketching)

About the Master Artist

Bhaskar Mohapatra is an award-winning Pattachitra artist from Odisha, India, known for vibrant scroll paintings without pencil or charcoal sketches. He continues a family tradition of hereditary chitrakars, emphasizing cultural and familial importance. Using traditional methods for colors and canvases adds authenticity, preserving Pattachitra's cultural heritage. Bhaskar's diverse themes and award-winning work contribute to the versatility and significance of Pattachitra art nationally, aiding its continuation and revitalization.

Know more - About the Artist

Image Source and Disclaimers

Disclaimer for the art workshop:

The artist will make the painting in the standard size, and it is recommended to use the same size. However, participants may choose other sizes at their convenience and seek artist guidance in live sessions to manage the artwork in their chosen canvas size.
The artist typically uses the brushes at their convenience, as they have years of experience. Participants may choose the brush size as per their convenience and level of expertise, and seek artist guidance in the live sessions.
Artists use the sample image as a reference image for teaching purposes only. They typically provide their interpretation and variations to make a unique artwork. Sample image is not copied as it is, and Catterfly provides due credit to the original artist (wherever available) in our marketing communications.

**The displayed image is a representational image from the net. Check our website to see the source and name of the original artist**

*Source*