The Captivating Mural art of Ancient India: The Saura Painting

From the tribe of Mata Sabri comes the primitive painting called the Saura painting. Dated back to the 1st century B.C., these paintings have been the closest form of literature the Saura tribe has. Saura art is a mural style art painted on walls by Kudangs while they narrate the deeper meaning of the symbols they are painting. The colours used in these paintings are natural, like rice, which is soaked and ground into a thick paste and then used to paint the mural with a bamboo brush. These murals portray the history of the Saura tribe, their philosophy, ceremonies and religious practices.

The Captivating Mural art of Ancient India – The Saura Painting; Image Source: Google Images

The art found in our country is not only for mere decoration but an inscription or a doorway to the past. Before there were words or letters we had art, and through art, we are now able to know what our history was. One such art is the Saura art.

Dated back to the 1st century B.C. Saura art, or mural- style art is known to belong to one of the oldest tribes of India – the Saura tribe. This tribe and its art are particularly found in the southern districts of Odisha - Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Koraput.

This tribe has a long history and its name can be found in our great epics. Mata Sabri from The Ramayana and Jara, the hunter, who wounded Lord Krishna’s mortal body with his arrow, are said to be from the Saura tribe. This tribe is not a big believer in written words, but they do believe in the art that depicts not only their daily life but also closely holds on to the history, philosophy, ceremonies, and religious practices of the tribe. Saura art is called the Italons or Ikons (or ekons). These Ikons are worshipped and devoted to their god *Idital (or Edital). *

These Ikons are not painted by just anyone; this is the main difference between folk art and tribal art. Unlike folk art, tribal art holds more religious importance, and they carry years and years of culture. Folk art, on the other hand, is more connected to a community and can be passed on to anyone interested. These figures and symbols painted are not just simple designs but individually hold unique and significant meanings and are painted only by the priests of the tribe called Kudangs. These Priests are said to be guided by gods and as they paint these religious Ikons, they explain the meaning behind them in a unique oral tradition. The most important tradition amongst the Saura tribe is praying for the well-being of their ancestors, which is then followed by special occasions like childbirth, harvest, marriage or when a new house is constructed. Ikons are painted during such occasions to appease their deity Idital. You can spot a lot of repetitive motifs in the paintings, such as elephants, horses, the sun, the moon, the tree of life, all of which hold special symbolism.

Ikons are painted on freshly painted walls. These walls are prepared with red or yellow ochre. Naturally obtained paints are used to draw these Ikons on the wall with a bamboo paintbrush. Rice, white stone, mixing seeds, leaves extract and hued earth are some of the ingredients by which the paint is made. These natural paints are one of the reasons why the Saura art is also called the art of the earth. It is not necessary for priests to paint a new Ikon during such occasions. The old Ikon is worshipped and a new Ikon is only painted when the house has gotten a fresh coat of paint or mud or if it is newly constructed. These Ikons are usually painted in a dark corner of the house.

Saura art holds a strong resemblance to the Warli art of Western India, and some might even call them cousins. Both art forms use geometric patterns and natural colours which makes them very similar. However, if it is looked at a little closely you can pinpoint the difference. Saura art is said to be more angular and there are no special distinguishable factors between male and female figures, while in Warli paintings you can easily identify them. Saura art is more elongated than the Warli art form. The fish net approach is used in Saura art which means that the design starts from the border and moves to the centre.

Even after thousands of years of change the art has remained relevant and has only become famous over time. Tribal art is now receiving its fair share of love and the demand for these prints have changed the natural paint to ink and is now being manufactured as tapestries and garments, especially saris. A new world has opened up to the endless possibilities for these prints and are reaching every corner of the world as stationary, garments, phone covers, handlooms, and whatnot.

As I said in the beginning, tribal art is a doorway to the past and as the times are changing so is the reality, and keeping in mind the current world we live in, these modern changes are being incorporated into the paintings. For example- the design of a bus is being added to the already existing designs to keep the painting updated with time.