Rich in tribal culture, Odisha has 62 types of tribes, out of which the Saura tribe is one of the ancient ones. They are now famous for their murals or ikon,&nbspbased on religious themes, especially those of their deity Idital, who is said to preside over the tribes. The artwork is also named idital, after their god. 

Far And Wide

Every painting created by the Lanjia Saura artisan contains ritualistic worship symbols relating to different aspects of life, and each idital/ikon&nbsphas a particular purpose. Created by the Saura, mostly settled in the Rayagada, Gajapati, and Koraput districts of Odisha, the paintings are finding high favour across India and the world as they grace homes, offices, and galleries. 

When Legends Speak

It is said that the tale of Sharvari from the Ramayana&nbspis of a Saura lady, and the story of the demise of Krishna from Mahabharata&nbspinvolves an archer from the Saura tribe. Even Eklavya, the ardent disciple of Drona from afar, was reportedly a Saura tribal.

Keeping With The Times

The idital&nbspor ikon, created to appease the gods and their ancestors, now also comprises depictions of not only humans and nature but also manufactured modern things such as the airplane, the cycle, etc. Apart from religious occasions, an ikon&nbspis also used during marriages, childbirth, harvest, etc. however, a new ikon&nbspmay not be created, and instead, an existing one may be put up. However, the construction of a new home necessitates the making of a new idital. 

But Naturally

When painted on the walls of the adobe huts, the background of the paintings is of red or yellow ochre mud. This surface is then painted with brushes made of bamboo shoots. Traditionally, natural dyes made of stone, seeds, and flower and leaf juices were used, and the meanings of the ikon&nbspwere explained to the tribe by the priestly class. These practices, however, have almost disappeared. 

It's Not The Same

The idital&nbspis remarkably alike to a warli&nbsppainting but is not the same. An idital&nbspwill always have an intricate border, whereas warli&nbspart doesn&rsquot mark out the edges of the artwork. Also, the human figures in Saura art are smooth-lined, while the ones in warli&nbspare triangles. Additionally, in Saura paintings the male and female figures are not identifiable, but in warli, the distinction is obvious. 

The Sauras continue to live simple lives, enriched by nature, and now also somewhat by the popularity of their art.