Pot Painting Sarees: 

A Fusion of Patachitra Art and Kerala Cotton

The Pot Painting Sarees  brings together the intricate beauty of Patachitra art and the elegance of Kerala cotton sarees. Originating in regions like West Bengal, Odisha, and Bangladesh, Patachitra is a centuries-old style of cloth-based scroll painting that artisans, known as “potuas”. Potus  have passed down through generations. Notably, this art form is prevalent in Midnapur district and the villages of Bankura, Purulia, Howrah, and the 24 Parganas.

Natural Colors and Timeless Techniques:

What sets Patachitra apart is its use of natural colors. Potuas create each shade from locally sourced materials. hey use natural colours for the painting. Chalk dust used for white color, pauri for yellow color, cultivated indigo for blue, bhusakali for black and mete sindur for red. These earthy pigments add an unmatched vibrancy to the artwork, giving each saree a warm, organic quality.

A Unique Collaboration with Narul Potua:

This project came to life when Narul Potua, a skilled potua artist from Nayabad in Midnapur, hand-painted Patachitra motifs onto Kerala cotton sarees. The results were stunning. Inspired by the animated forms of life, Narul painted delicate yet lively patterns across the cotton fabric, transforming each saree into a unique piece of art. The finished sarees were so impressive that Narul decided to keep several dyed sarees for his own collection and even received multiple orders for custom designs.

 A Month-Long Process for Each Pot painting Masterpiece:

Through this collaboration, the Pot Painting Saree offers a beautiful blend of Bengal’s Patachitra heritage and Kerala’s cotton saree tradition, making it a timeless and collectible piece. The sarees became an artistic statement, blending the regional heritage of Midnapur Patachitra with the traditional elegance of Kerala cotton.

A Labor of Love and Precision are create a masterpiec  Creating a Pot Painting Saree is a slow, meticulous process that demands a full month of dedication from the artisan. Each saree is painted by hand, with the natural colors applied layer by layer. The time and effort required for this craft go beyond mere decoration. They are an act of reverence for the art form and its cultural roots. Because natural colors require careful handling and application, each brushstroke is intentional, ensuring the vibrancy of the saree for years to come.

Additionally, each saree comes with a matching blouse piece, completing the ensemble and allowing wearers to fully embrace the beauty of this traditional, hand-painted art form. The inclusion of the blouse piece not only enhances the saree’s value but also makes it a ready-to-wear work of art, instantly elevating the wearer’s attire.

Crafting Each Saree: A Labor of Love and Precision:

Creating each Pot Painting Saree requires time, care, and dedication. Indeed, each saree takes about a month to finish because the detailed, labor-intensive hand-painting with natural colors demands patience and precision. Furthermore, each saree includes a matching blouse piece, making it a ready-to-wear set. Through this collaboration, the Pot Painting Saree stands as a unique blend of Bengal’s Patachitra heritage and Kerala’s cotton saree tradition.

Ultimately, the Pot Painting Saree is more than just a garment; it’s a timeless piece of art that beautifully captures the vibrant culture of Patachitra in a modern, wearable form.

Each Pot Painting Saree requires meticulous effort and time, taking about a month to complete.

The out come became so beautiful that Norul Potua take many dyed Kerala cotton saree from me for his personal and few ordered saree.
All Pot Painting Sarees take at least one month to finish.

Ultimately, the Pot Painting Saree represents more than just a piece of clothing.  It’s a celebration of heritage and artistry. Through this collaboration. Patachitra is reinterpreted in a contemporary format. To make it accessible and appealing to today’s saree connoisseurs. Each saree tells a story, not only of the forms painted on it but also of the painstaking craftsmanship. And cultural pride that goes into its creation.

By bringing Patachitra to Kerala cotton, the Pot Painting Saree has become a timeless piece. That respects tradition while offering something uniquely modern. This exquisite fusion has created a new cultural treasure. One that will continue to inspire and captivate, bridging the past with the present in a truly wearable art form.

Different motifs of Animated forms of life Hand painted on Kerala cotton Saree.

blouse piece included in Pot Painting Sarees.

Saree:-

Lenght……530 cm

Width…..44 inch

Blouse:-

Lenght…..80 cm

Width….44 inch