Capturing Essence Of Bhubaneswar’s Dynamic Spirit: Urban Sketchers Paint At Kalabhoomi

Bhubaneswar: Urban Sketchers, a group of artists with a love for bringing their cityscapes live, gathered at Kalabhoomi in Odisha capital recently, to sketch the life and activities around the chronicling epicentre of Odisha’s art and craft.

The live sketching enthusiasts included students of architecture, art enthusiasts and students from nearby schools through Urban Sketchers Bhubaneswar. Local convener Swayamprakash Mohanty coordinated the event.

Artists of all levels were invited to capture the vibrant essence of the Temple City of Bhubaneswar through their sketches. The youngest sketcher, Akankhik (8), a student of DAV Public School, Pokhariput, said he was happy to be able to draw and paint outside his home and school with so many people. Other participants included architecture students from Piloo Mody College of Architecture (PMCA) and Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR).

Global Movement

Urban sketching is a global movement where artists draw the cities they live in and travel to, creating a unique visual diary of urban life. The event provided a platform for local artists to connect, share their work, and draw inspiration from one another while exploring the rich history and architecture of the museum.

Participants gathered at the entrance of the museum for a brief introduction and orientation and then dispersed to various picturesque locations around Kalabhoomi and the surrounding areas to begin their sketches. The event culminated back at the museum water body, where they shared their creations, discussed techniques, and celebrated their collective artistic achievements.

The Urban Sketchers event is open to artists of all ages and skill levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their sketching material since a limited number of supplies are available on-site. There is no cost to participate in this event. Swayamprakash Mohanty, an assistant professor at PMCA started the Urban Sketchers Bhubaneswar movement in 2018.

The group has conducted events such as Urban Haat where more than 40 sketchers had participated in the premises of Old Town. Urban Sketchers has held previous events in Bhubaneswar at Nandankanan Botanical Garden, Jaydev Vihar Square, Khandagiri, Mukteshwar Temple, Ekamra Kanan and Dhaulagiri this year. Their largest event this year had more than 70 sketchers drawing a panorama of Bindu Sagar periphery and Lingaraj Plaza.

Bhubaneswar is a city with a vibrant blend of ancient temples, rich history and modern urban development sites. As the city rapidly evolves, preserving its unique essence becomes crucial. “Urban Sketchers play a vital role in capturing and celebrating the city’s dynamic spirit through art. Through sketching, artists often highlight lesser-known aspects of urban life, bringing attention to the city’s hidden gems and everyday scenes. This can promote awareness and appreciation of Bhubaneswar’s diverse neighbourhoods and cultural nuances,” said Mohanty.