The ancient Talapatras or palm leaf engraving style of Odisha started as one of the earliest forms of language-based communication. Later, these writings began to include delicate paintings on rectangular palm leaf strips strung together. Traditionally, these were etched with a steel stylus and highlighted with black lamp soot or kohl. The illustrations depict mythological tales, mostly from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Krishna Leela. Paintings of Lord Jagannath, a deity worshipped in Puri, are also common. Some Talapatras have circular flaps with sensuous images from the Kama Sutra.

Also known as "talapatra chitra" or "pothi chitra", this craft is tied to Odisha’s tradition of palm leaf manuscripts. These manuscripts had a longer shelf life than those done on handmade paper. Talapatra paintings feature such fine patterns on palm leaves, they look stencilled. Essentially, the craft is about inscribing letters and artistic designs on palm leaves. For this, raw leaves of the palm tree are first cut and semi-dried. According to official information, these leaves are dipped in swamps for a few days, then dried in shade. Then, they are stitched together for as required. Often, they are joined together after the story or manuscript is etched with an iron pen. A paste made of bean leaves, charcoal, burnt coconut shells with sesame oil and turmeric is rubbed on the etchings to highlight the pattern or words. Sometimes, artisans place bits of colourful paper beneath the cut-outs, giving the piece a layered look. The engravings rarely feature colour. If the artists use colours, only subtle shades are chosen.

The popular themes portrayed in these paintings include Dasabatara Patti (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu), Kandarparath (Cupid’s chariot or Krishna on a chariot along with cheerful gopis), Rama-Ravana Judha (the war between Rama and Ravana or Good and Evil), Kanchi Abhijana (expedition against the kingdom of Kanchi), and Nabagunjara (a figure comprising nine different creatures).

The practice and pursuit of Talapatra paintings declined in the 19th century with the advent of the printing press and the subsequent declining demand for palm leaf manuscripts.

Since the 19th century, the practice of Talapatra paintings has been facing a dip in popularity. This is because the printing press became more prevalent. This durable and beautiful style of storing cultural information needs to be preserved.

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