Mangaluru: Alumni and students of St Aloysius Aided School have turned the summer break into a cultural revival initiative, recreating Chittara art on their campus. The initiative, led by arts teacher Rachana Suraj, took nearly two months to complete. At a time when long vacations often leave parents worried about excessive screen time, students chose to engage in a hands-on activity rooted in heritage and creativity.
Rooted in Local Tradition
Rachana Suraj explained that the idea was to keep students meaningfully occupied while introducing them to a lesser-known local art form. The team initially considered Warli art but shifted to Chittara to focus on a tradition native to Karnataka. "There was a proposal for Warli art, but it belongs to Maharashtra. We wanted something of our own, so we chose Chittara. It was challenging, but the students were eager to learn and recreate it on the campus walls. We trained them first, and they carried it forward with confidence," she said.
Overcoming Challenges
Work had to be paused at intervals as the school also served as an examination centre, and the summer heat posed additional challenges. Despite these hurdles, a team of 15, including alumni and high school students, spent the past month painting Chittara designs along the campus wall. Their efforts drew attention to an art form that is gradually fading from public memory.
About Chittara Art
Chittara, also known as Hase Chitra, is a traditional art form of the Deevaru community in Karnataka. It reflects local culture, customs, and a close bond with nature. Though native to the state, it remains relatively unfamiliar along the coastal belt and is now rarely seen beyond a few interior districts. The style features simple geometric patterns like circles, triangles, and squares, arranged into elegant compositions, along with motifs drawn from rural life, including flowers, animals, and village scenes.
Voices from the Project
"We did extensive research, and the support of the management and principal made it possible," Rachana said. Alumna Greeshma noted that the project offered a meaningful way to spend the vacation, while school director Fr Benjamin Pinto stressed the need to preserve traditional art forms. The initiative not only beautified the campus but also instilled a sense of pride and cultural awareness among participants.
