1. The Saora, Edited by: Dr. N. Patnaik, First Publication-Republic Day, 1989 Published by: Tribal and Harijan Research-cum-Training Institute, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar-761003, Orissa The best way of achieving a better understanding of the tribal communities is to live with them and work with them. It may not be possible for all people. In that case the other way is to study standard literatures about tribal life and culture. But such reference materials on many of major and minor tribal communities are lacking. The ethnographic materials which have gone into these popular write-ups were collected both from the tribal people by the senior research staff of the institute during their field work and also from many secondary sources. On the whole, all these publications are the product of joint efforts of a team of officers and staff of the Tribal Research Institute, Odisha. 

1. Tribal Wall Paintings of Orissa, Sitakant Mahapatra, 1991

Published and printed by: J.C. Kanungo, Secretary, Orissa Lalitkal Academy, Bhubaneswar-751014 at I.I.P., Okhla, New Delhi-110020

This work on “Tribal Wall paintings of Orissa” by Dr. Sitakant Mohapatra, is an attempt to present a glimpse of the ritualistic drawings of the Saora tribe of Southern Orissa. Dr. Mahapatra is basically a poet and literateur. No wonder his work would be more verbal, than visual, and deal with the living conditions and rituals more than the art-style of the Saoras or other tribal groups among these ancient autochthones of Orissa. The art evidently belongs to acontinuing tradition of common perception and way of expression of the people. The drawings are essentially bold and linear, and not thin, flowing of curvaceous. The lines are composed to create geometrical patterns, where triangles and squares or rectangles preponderate over circles or dots, ellipses or parabolas, half-circles or chords.

2. Verrier Elwin, The Religion of an India Tribe, Bombay- 1955 

Orissa has sixty-two tribal communities and at least seven have significant mural paintings on the walls of their houses. But the Saura carry the practice far beyond anything imagined by any other tribe. The Saura icons called Idital are made with a religious purpose other than for display whilst the wall paintings upon the purpose for which it is meant and thus the programs may be delivered into several categories according to their meaning and purpose.

Idital Preparation Process

If Saura Idital painting is to be done in a house for worshiping, then the head of the house invites good Sprit Elda Sanum[10] the Kudanboy. Lighted lamp and rice is arranged on the bamboo dustpan (oyear) and Tedung pur is organized. At this time of puja if any instruction comes elda saunm from Kudamboi Body and taked elda sanum instructions to paint the Idital then in the courtyard of houses the Idital is being painted by a Idital mara Saura artist or women Priest and Men Priest (Kudanboi & Kudanmar). If incase some error occurs and any portion of the Idital painting is incomplete, then elda Sanum provides instructions to complete the paintings. Once the painting is completed then two or three earthen pot (dakie) is hanged roof with (anng) and harvested paddy and other crops are kept inside. These are mountain paddy in Saura it is known as “Kandemsar puri adur” Hill Big Dal “Roga adur pair” rice etc. also kept inside the hanging pot. The sacrificed blood of hen, pig and goat at the Idital is sprinkled inside the pot and some applied on the pot and completed the worshiping rituals.

Preparation of Idital Wall

If an Idital painting is to be done, then at first the size of the courtyard wall is observed and measured. Then the wall is painted with (Natural Erath Brown) brown color mud. Once it is dried then the rice flour is soaked in water. Then after measurement the painting is done. Whole story is simply and easily depicted through the line drawing in Idital art.

At the present day different other colours like; black, white, red and yellow is used to draw the painting in the Saura house. Generally, Saura Idital worship is conducted during December and January. Usually this is done during the time of cultivation of Hill area Big Dal (Roga). The puja is offered at that time. Again, at this time new (Erath Brown) brown color is painted in every house. Those who are practicing from ages, newly they paint the Idital on their wall and offer puja. Besides that during September and October the mountain paddy is harvested from mountain field. And at this time as well the Saura tribe draws the Idital and conduct puja.

Whenever there is fever, diarrhea, cold and cough or pandemic is in the house and either younger or elders suffer out of this then either Kudana or Kudanboi is invited into the house to conduct the TedungPur[11]. At that time if any instruction comes from Yanang Sanum[12] through Elda Sum then to get rid of the diseases Idital is painted on the walls of Saura house and worship is conducted; in this way three types of puja is conducted. Saura people have lots of beliefs and respect for this worship.

The Elements of Saura (Idital) Art

Saura art has lots of similarities with the nature, all this we come to know from the simple and easy line drawings. As the ancient rock arts depicts the nature in its form, same way Idital is very much close with the nature which is revealed through the line drawing. Mostly the near about environment is close to the household or villages seen through the Idital art. The ancient rock art has got some similarities with the Saura Idital art.

In Saura Idital art mostly observed different trees, leaf, fruits, paddy plant, date tree, forest, birds and animals like peacock, monkey, tiger, bear, elephant, horse, snake, gun porcupine rat etc. Besides these food, drinks, clothing, singing dancing, hunting, food carrying, horse riding, elephant riding and plowing through oxen are also seen. Also sun, half moon, stars, planets, cycles, car, aero plane, gun cart, horse carriage, train etc. are drawn for shipping.

Idital painting Background

Whatever art form drawn in Idital art is known as supernatural or Yanang Sanum. This Yanang Sanum provides safety, security and protection to the Saura family especially those who have done the Idital painting. Because of this form the ancient time the Saura tribe has regarded as village deity and people worship him. Sauras consider nature and elements of nature as god. and after homage they always try to protect the nature. They celebrate different festivals to commemorate the nature. In spite of the modern culture they still respect the ancient tradition and worship accordingly.

Festival / Customs

Saura people are very faithful, simple, humble and they like and respect others as well. Whatever they gather from nature they take it as food and eat. Their clothing style is also very simple and traditional one.

Idital: The Contemporary Study of Art in the area of Ramnaguda:

In my research area, in Ramanaguda Block Saura Tribal Area Village Putiguda of Rayagada district of Odisha is mostly seen three types of Saura Idital. These are:

1. Sumuru Sum

2. Salengda Sum

3.  Zumjelapur sum.

1.  Sumuru Sum

This form has arrived from Putta Singh area of Rayagada district to Ramnaguda tribal area from the Lanjia Saura[13] community. Since that time this Sumuru Sum puja is conducted. The mighty God Yanang Sanum is considered as this.

The forms that are drawn are known as Sumuru Sum. The main work of the Sumuru Sum is to protect the Saura house with Idital from all forms of difficulties and evil powers. Usually, this Sumuru Sum Idital is worshiped in the house of Kudanmar or Kudanboi.

 Sumuru Sum can eradicate and keep away from rain, storm, wind, cyclone, enemy, ghost, and spirits; therefore, this is seen in the prominent Saura houses.

 The image what I have received/verified is from Kudan of the Ramnaguda area. He draws Idital himself and he is too a Kudunmar (Pujari). Sumuru Sum Idital is drawn during “Kundemsar Adur”; when the mountain paddy gets its corn.

The brown mud is used to paint the house wall and the painter is invited to draw. In this Sumuru Sum Idital the Yanang Sanum is divided into four types. These are;

1. Yonang Sanum, 2. The Helper 3. The Protector 4. Lanjia Saura

Always the helper Sanum[14] keeps on serving the main Sanum, Yanang Sanum. Any family with Idital; if the head of the family invites the main Yanang Sanum then he will command the protecting Yonang Sanum to take care of the family and whole household. Yonang Sanum is arrived from Lanjia Saura. Therefore, with respect they are also given place in Yonang Sanum in Idital. Through Sumuru Sum we see tree, creeper, flower and animals, birds, peacock, horse, bear, empty horse cart, empty chariot, empty Palki, sword etc. are seen in the Idital. This Sumuru Sum is also given the status of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Photo 1 : Sumuru Sum, Saura Idital (Ramanguda Block, Village Putiguda, Saura house in Saura Wall Art)

1.   Salengda Sum

Salengdas Sum indicates potter Yonang Sanum or God of earthen pot Yonang Sanum. When a child either boy or girl is born in a Saura family and when that new born baby is suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, fever, stomach upset and when the Ayurvedic and Allopathic medicine given by doctors does not work then Kudanboi is invited to house to do Tadung pur puja and if Salengada Sum comes on him through spirit and Yonang Sanum has any order to do the Salengada Sum Idital through that the disease gets cure. Because of these the Idital artist is invited to do the Salengada Sum Idital. After completing the Idital the Salengada Sum worship is conducted. A coke sacrifice is offered to Yonang Sanum to cure the disease. After worshiping Yonang Sanum that household’s all sick children get cure. From that time Salengada Sum stays in that tribal house. And Kundasher adur pur every year draw new Iditals and offer cock sacrifice to worship Salengada Sum and because of that in that family the children never get affected with diarrhea, vomiting, fever, cold and cough. This worshiping practice is traditionally followed from ancient time.

We see in Salengada Sum, potter in Salengada Sum in Yonang Sanum, female potter with carrying pot on her head while the potter is seen taking a weigh on his shoulder with balance, Yonang Sanum is seen. In a circular line drawing potter and female potter are given place. They are walking in space. It is also seen in line drawing and another line drawing Yonang Sanum is seen working with an umbrella and a dog. In that Idital one Yonang Sanum is seen plowing. And while going to forest for work a bear is also seen depicted through line drawing. In that art sun, moon, star, planet is also seen. Four colors are used in Salengada Sanum line drawing. These are; white, black, red and yellow. The Salengada Sum is matched as the Modern and Contemporary Art.

Photo 2 : Salengda sum, Saura Idital ( Ramanguda Block, Village Putiguda, Saura house in Saura Wall Art)

3. Zumjela Pur Sum

This puja is dedicated to Yonang Sanum and done during the time of good harvest to get the good crops.  By conducting this puja the crop gets protected from insects, animals, birds, leeches and other crops related diseases. This Festival is conducted during Dal harvest. People sing and dance with musical instruments and visit village to village. They visit different streets and collect offerings as rice, dal, money and everyone do the Zumjela Pur sum Idital in their household. Whoever does the Idital in his house all gather cook the collected rice, dal, fruits and all the villagers distributed the cooked food in the saal leaf cup and eat together. During this puja Kudanmar and Kudanboi are present and they offer the animal sacrifice. They use pig, goat and buffalo for sacrifice. And for Lanjia Saura yonang Sanum the cock sacrifice is offered.

Photo 3 : Zumjela Pur Sum, Saura Idital (Ramanguda Block, Village Putiguda, Saura house in Saura Wall Art) 

Preparation of art elements (Saura Idital)

Zumjela pur Sum, Sanum art the geometric art form is present and around that monkey, peacock and other birds are seen and inside that elephant, horse, tree, plantain tree, Dal tree and Lanjia Saura Yanang Sanum and in the space stars, planets in left side square line drawing or left side around market place of dead people are seen in this Saura tribal line drawing art.  Four types of color are used to draw this Idital drawing. These are white, black, yellow and red. This line drawing is matched with the Modern and Contemporary Art form.