Berhampur: An artist can never be idle. Creativity in him turns restless to find expression in worst of situations as it happened in case of two painters of Ganjam district.
Purna Chandra Dakua of Kshyatriyabarapur and Santosh Kumar Jena of Palakasanda village under Bellaguntha block were among 60 migrants who had returned from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. They were accommodated in the quarantine centre at Kebiri Berhampur Project UPS Middle School under Dhumuchhai panchayat.
If they wanted, Purna and Santosh, both 26 years old, could have idled away their days in the quarantine centre. But, they had different idea.
They approached school Headmaster Subrat Patra and sought his permission to paint campus with their creative ideas during their stay. They requested for some paints and brushes for painting the walls.
After the Headmaster made the arrangement, the young artists got down to their work. They sincerely participated in daily activities at the centre and spent rest of the time towards the wall painting.
They have already painted the portraits of freedom fighters including Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, and cultural heritages of the country on the school walls. They applied their skills acquired from working as jewellery designers in Coimbatore.
The paintings of Purna and Santosh were highly appreciated by Sarpanch Manoj Pardhan, Bellaguntha Tehsildar Saroj Kumar Behara and Block Development Officer Shashi Bhushan Mohapatra.
