Puri: Enchanted by the century-old tradition of Raghurajpur in Odisha’s Puri district, some foreigners are now staying at the village for over a month now to learn the exquisite art and craft.
The trainers are the villagers, who are helping them learn the nuances and intricacies of the art forms for which the Heritage Crafts Village in Puri district is famous for.
“I am learning how the villagers are recycling the sarees to make canvas and do Pattachitra on them. I am also learning palm-leaf painting and engraving, tussar/silk painting, stone and wood carving, paper masks and cow dung toys,” Australian artist Emma Gardner said.
She along other three more artists from different countries are here to attend the learn and exchange programme being organised by Raghurajpur International Art/Craft Exchange (RIACE) every year since 2011.
“I have learnt a lot of techniques like Pattachitra on the canvas as well as coconuts, stone carving and paper masks with cow dung. At present, I am working on palm-leaf pin carving,” said Julia, an artist from Italy.
The programme, which began on October 11, will continue till November 17.
According to Subash Chandra Mishra, the trainer, the international artists were first taught Pattachitra. Most of them have now learnt the technique. Later, they were trained in the art of making paper masks. Now, they are learning the palm-leaf carving. “I am quite hopeful that they would disseminate the unique art of Odisha in their country,” he added.
The main objective of the programme has been to allow a platform to art lovers across the globe to learn and exchange ideas and skills with the traditional craftsmen of Odisha.
“The foreign tourists are quickly learning the art of palm-leaf carving. They are being taught how to draw the picture of the gods, goddesses and animals on the palm leaf. I feel very happy to see that they are seriously learning this art,” said Pratima Das, another trainer of the village.
Sharing her feelings, Eleonora, an Italian tourist, said the people of Raghurajpur village are super-friendly. “While doing our own things, we also spend some time with them to see and learn the technique of their art and craft.”
During the exchange programme, the artists spend one week with a master learning each art form and incorporate the knowledge of these traditional skills into their contemporary artworks.
