Jhoti Chita, also known as Rangoli, is a traditional art or painting of Odisha which is mostly found in the rural parts of the state. Jhoti Chita or Rangoli is created by making beautiful patterns on the walls or floors using an improvised brush made of cotton and stick or piece of cloth. It can also be done with bare fingers.
Painting technique of Jhoti Chita
While Rangolis are made using coloured powders, Jhoti involves line art using the traditional white coloured, semi liquid paste of rice or Pithau. The watery or semi-liquid rice paste is soaked in a piece of cloth or small cotton ball for the drawing. This cloth or cotton ball is usually surrounded with a stick or twig for better grip. The painting mainly portrays different patterns and shapes. Some of them represent religious signs or symbols while others can be just patterns for beautification.
Colours of Jhoti Chita
Several figures and flower patterns are drawn in Jhoti Chita or Rangoli. Before starting the painting, an earthy red colour named ‘dhau’ is smeared on the walls and floors and then the Jhotis are created. It provides a contrasted colour. Dhau is also used as a background colour of Jhoti drawings.