Nestled deep in the villages of Hasunvanthe, Honnemaradu and Majina Kaanu (in Shimoga
district of South Kanara) in the Western Ghats are the Deewaru tribals` huts that
spell magic with their age-old Chittara Wall paintings. These paintings adorn their
walls, their colourful imagery bringing out the vivid beauty of the surrounding
tropical forests. White from a mixture of rice paste, red from crushed stone, burnt
rice for deepest black, yellow from `gurige` seeds - it is a lyrical creative mosaic
that Deewaru men and women conjure up. With auspicious geometric motifs ranging
from yogic `asana` poses to tribal figures celebrating life, in style and delineation,
the Chittara wall paintings and mural crafts seem to take one back to the Stone
Age cave paintings.
Today, many young Deewaru men and women are proficient Chittara artists and the
compelling heart stopping motifs such as "Mundage Chittara," "Thivage Mane" and
"Chippakal Chinnada" still light up the homes of the Deewaru people...
The stylised figures of Chittara painting are generally symbols of brides and grooms,
fertility, the sowing of the auspicious paddy, birds, trees, animals etc. Musicians
play auspicious music, brides and grooms affect yogic poses or stand in conjugal
harmony. The delicacy in its delineation and its repetitiveness, somewhat reminiscent
of Warli art, is achieved with fine jute `pundi` brushes. Drawing is free hand and
is done with the strictest adherence to the tribal format. Lilting music fills the
air as Deewarus draw and paint. Every situation and chore depicted on the wall,
has a relevant song.
Today, the vibrant Chittara mural art is being done on hand-made rice paper. At
a fascinating exhibition of Chittara mural art, currently on at Dakshinachitra,
the mural paintings command attention with their exquisite delicacy, vibrant colours
and harmony of composition. Other interesting Deewaru crafts on sale are traditional
paddy husk `Kalashas` painted over with Chittara art, as well as papier mache` and
terracotta vases and artifacts that come alive with Chittara motifs. Traditional
rice husk woven torans and other decorative items, which depict tribal art at its
best, are also available at Dakshinachitra.