Chittara Mural Art

Artwork – Chittara Mural Art
Region – Malnad, Karnataka

Chittara is a traditional folk art form from Karnataka’s Malnad region, practiced primarily by women of the Deevaru community. The art features intricate geometric patterns and motifs painted on mud walls using natural, eco-friendly materials. Created during auspicious occasions such as weddings, birth ceremonies, and festivals, Chittara is deeply tied to ritualistic and ceremonial life rather than commercial display.

Motifs carry symbolic and social meanings: central geometric patterns may include palanquins to represent prosperity and triumph, while birds, insects, and agricultural tools highlight the community’s connection to nature. The linear and geometric designs also embody moral and societal guidelines.
Historically, the art was created using eco-friendly materials: white paint from ground rice paste; black from roasted rice; yellow from powdered seeds (gurige); red from red earth (kemmannu) mixed with cow dung; and brushes crafted from areca nut fibers (pundi naaru). Chittara reflects the Deevaru’s cultural heritage, ritual significance, and ecological awareness.