Centuries before graphic novels were even a thing, artists from Odisha used pattachitra [patta means cloth, chitra is picture] to tell stories of heroes and lovers. Now, two-time National Award-winning artist Bijay Parida, 60, is bringing the over-a-millennium-old folk art tradition to Mumbai with a workshop and exhibition.

Like generations of pattachitra artists, the divine love of Radha and Krishna has long been Parida’s muse. But that’s not the only reason the art form is a labour of love. “It takes a minimum of three days to make a simple 1x1 foot artwork and can even take several weeks or months to complete bigger, more intricate pieces,” says Parida.