Indian <i>pata paintings are paintings on cloth. In one form of <i>pata paintings, paint was used on the surface only. In the other form, dyes were used to paint. Dyes were applied by brush and became an integral part of the fabric. The deterioration and the problems of conservation differ considerably in surface painted <i>patas and dye painted <i>patas. Both forms are discussed in detail. There are paintings in which both the techniques are used simultaneously and as such the problems of conservation are very acute. -- AATA