Chittara art is a ritualistic mural art originating in the Malnad region of Karnataka and is practiced by the Deewaru community. Chittara is a geometric patterns painted on mud walls to symbolize prosperity, fertility, and community well-being, created during weddings and auspicious occasions.
The artist smooths mud walls and prepares the canvas. Fine brushes made of natural fibers are used to draw geometric patterns. Designs are created using natural colors like white, red, and ochre. Motifs include triangles, squares, dots, and floral symbols.
The materials used are mud walls as canvas, natural pigments (white from rice paste, red from ochre) and brushes made of natural grass or bamboo fibers.
Chittara art is known for its freehand drawing of symmetric and repetitive patterns, layering of motifs to create balance and harmony and the use of simple yet intricate geometric designs.
