Etching and painting on palm leaf is one of the most ancient craft forms not only in Orissa but also in the whole country. The birth of this art form, marks the beginning of the dissemination of written words and is therefore, closely intertwined with the literary traditions of the country. While palm-leaf inscriptions and paintings are available in several states of India, it is in Orissa that the craft reached perfection and great excellence. The numerous illustrated manuscripts in the collection of the Orissa State Museum embody the rich artistic traditions of the State. This tradition continues even to-day and thrives among the handicrafts artisans of the State particularly in the districts of Puri and Cuttack.

The art form essentially consists of inscribing letters and artistic designs on palm-leaf, mostly cut into standard sizes. While for manuscripts the leaves are cut in rectangular sizes, held together with two wooden plank covers stringed through a hole in the centre, for paintings the leaves are stitched vertically and folded, like a bellow. However, instances of cutting the leaves into fancy shapes like balls strung into a garland or leaves cut into shapes of animals and other objects are also not wanting. The process of preparing the palm-leaf to make it ready for etching is quite elaborate and time taking. The unripe leaves of the palm tree are first cut into the required shape and are sun dried. However, the leaves are not to be exposed to intense heat and should not be completely dried. Once this initial preparation is complete, the semi-dried leaves are buried in muddy swamps and left there for four to five days for a further seasoning. After these are retrieved and washed they are once again dried, but this time they are air dried, not being exposed to sun. After this, these dried leaves are kept inside the grain stores and put inside the paddy heaps. This treatment is the final seasoning of the leaves which makes them insect proof and stiff. These seasoned leaves are then stitched or stringed together as per the need. The etching whether of words or of artistic designs is done with the help of an iron stylus. Great concentration and planning is required before any design can be engraved as no alteration is possible on account of the very nature of the material. After the etching is complete the leaf is rubbed with a paste made of bean leaves, charcoal made of burnt coconut shells, til oil and turmeric. The leaves are then wiped with a piece of cloth and the paste deposited in etched portion of the palm-leaves reveals prominently the engraved design. For painting the palm-leavs, vegetable and mineral colours are used.

While writing of texts, including illustrated texts, was popular and widespread in the ancient times, after the discovery of paper and printing this has become more or loess extinct. However, it is worth while mentioning here that the rich collection of the Orissa State Museum contains a large number of illustrated texts both plain and painted of which the more prominent ones are Jayadeva's Sri Gita Govinda, Bidagdha Madhaba of Rupa Goswamy, Amaru Sataka of Amaruka and Ushavilasa of Sishu Sankar Das. The themes of these manuscripts are mostly the love episodes of Radha and Krishna as well as other mythical and legendary incidents. The paintings and drawings also present excellent scenes of nature.

As the craft is practised mostly large drawings are made on the rectangular palm leaves stitched together vertically. The major motifs are drawn from the rich legends, myths and folk-lore of the State. The various gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon are represented either singly or in groups more prominent of these being Radha and Krishna, Durga, Ganesha and Saraswati. In larger illustrations the entire story of Bhagabata or Krishnalila, or Ramayana and Mahabharata are presented while in smaller ones, single episodes are presented. In many ways the traditions followed for palm leaf etching are very much akin to patta paintings. The figures are highly stylised and embody the traditional concept of beauty. The figures usually have a sharp pointed nose, long eyes and well-proportioned bodies. The figures are usually represented in profile.