• Cultural Significance: Originating from the Saura tribe of Odisha, these paintings (known as Ikons or Idital) are dedicated to their deity, Idital, and are traditionally created to ensure good harvests and honour the dead.
• Canvas & Materials: The paintings use Tussar silk (wild silk), characterized by its natural golden sheen, coarse texture, and durability. The paints used are generally natural, using white from rice paste, combined with earthy backgrounds.
• Artistic Style: The style is simple, direct, and vivid, using fine brushes to depict thin, intricate lines, often without preliminary sketches.

Common Themes: Common themes include the Tree of Life, village scenes, tribal daily life, and festivals