Malkangiri: With a twin purpose of extending a source of livelihood and beautifying the town landscape with paintings depicting tribal lifestyle, the district administration has roped in artists to take up wall-painting work.
Like other aspects of life, the COVID pandemic and resultant lockdown across the country have affected the young artists forcing them to seek alternative sources to sustain themselves. While some of them started vending vegetables, others took up the work of daily wagers.
Considering their condition, the district administration engaged them in painting the boundary walls of educational institutions, offices, bus terminus and other public places. The artists have been drawing illustrations on tribal lifestyle, great personalities of Odisha, wildlife and message on the pandemic.
Welcoming the initiative of the administration, the artists said it would help them tide over the difficult times. “After the outbreak of the pandemic, I was rendered jobless. Now there is hardly any demand for our creative works as everybody is engaged in fighting the disease. At this time, the administration’s decision has come as a great help,” said Samir Mandal, an artist.
“Besides encouraging the artists, this initiative will definitely promote awareness about the tribals and their lifestyle. The young artists are doing a good job in sending messages on various fields like health, environment, technology. It would also create awareness among the tribals,” said Trishul Mardi, an official of Malkangiri municipality.
Watch the video here:
