Odisha’s rich cultural tapestry includes many traditional arts that once found expression in everyday life and home rituals. Among these, Jhoti Chita or Alpana Design and Muruja stand out as exquisite examples of floor art that not only decorated house entrances and sacred spaces but also held deep symbolic and religious significance. However, in modern times, these intricate arts are gradually fading into seasonal practices, surviving mainly during special festivals and revered ceremonies.
Artistry Rooted in Rituals and Materials
Muruja (Odia: ମୁରୁଜ) is an intricate art form created by drawing delicate patterns on the floor using dry rice powder that is often blended with natural colors like turmeric, red oxide, and charcoal. These patterns, traditionally symmetrical and detailed, are placed at significant spaces like doorways, the tulsi plant base, or puja areas, symbolizing purity, prosperity, and sacredness.
In contrast, Jhoti Chita (Odia: ଝୋତି ଚିତା) involves finger painting with rice paste applied directly on floors and walls. This technique gives rise to beautiful motifs—vines, conch shells, lotus blossoms, and peacocks—that carry auspicious meanings. Jhoti Chita is widely practiced across the state, especially during Manabasa Gurubar, a festival in honor of Goddess Lakshmi observed in the month of Margasira.
Changing Times and Evolving Practices
In urban centers like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Sambalpur, the practice of Jhoti Chita and Muruja is increasingly confined to specific seasonal occasions. Busy lifestyles and modern conveniences have pushed these time-intensive arts away from daily life. Many families now simplify or replace traditional designs with stickers and stencils to save time, ultimately diluting the original charm and skill embedded in these creations.
Jhoti Chita and Muruja are more than decorative floor designs; they are living links between Odisha’s past and present, expressing devotion, artistry, and community spirit. Their survival depends on conscious appreciation, sharing, and collective effort in a fast-changing world.
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