Pattachitra style of painting is the oldest art form of Odisha that is closely linked to 12th century cult of Jagannatha worship. Traditional artists from Maharana (Mohapatra) community, used to make elaborate mythological paintings on 'patta' or cloth canvas to make 'chitra' or picture. The patta painting is linked to the 12th century cult of Lord Jagannath centred around the famous temple in Puri; every year when the lord and his siblings fall 'sick', three beautiful patta paintings replace them for a few days. Over time, pilgrims took copies of these paintings home as souvenirs and eventually, local 'chitrakars' became world-renowned artists. 

Catterfly master artist and national awardee Bhaskar Mohapatra comes from this line of hereditary chitrakars & works on a variety of themes and mediums.  The main aspect about this art is that the artisan does not use a pencil or charcoal for the preliminary drawings. Bhaskarji continues to uphold many of these old traditions.