Palm Leaf Painting

Olaichuvadi of Tamil Nadu

This art form was experimented upon in Tamil Nadu where they were converted into manuscripts. Sometimes they were shaped like temples, with doors. Two wooden boards, either carved with floral motifs or painted, were fixed on both ends of the palm leaf manuscripts to protect them. Some palm leaf paintings had covers with ivory inlay work.

The Jain Palm Leaf Manuscripts of Gujarat

In Gujarat the Jains practiced the art of Palm leaf paintings under the patronage of rich sea merchants. These Sea merchants established libraries of paintings and documents to keep a record of the spread of Jainism in Gujarat. The Jain God, Mahavira illuminated most of the Jain Palm leaf manuscripts.

Palm Leaf Painting in the modern world

This ancient art form has found admirers far and wide. Not only does the intricate designs and aesthetic depiction of Gods and Goddesses attract ones attention, the use of the leaf adds to the quaint charm of the Art form. This form painting is hailed as very eco friendly too. Today there are small towns exclusively dedicated to this art form in Orissa. One can visit the towns of Raghurajpur and Chitrakarashi to see the artists at work. A first hand sampling of this art form is a must for all art lovers.