post news network, Bhubaneswar, April 22: In an attempt to popularise diverse art forms from the coastal state, the Biju Patnaik International Airport Wednesday dedicated a permanent art gallery to the passengers and visitors visiting the T1 terminal of the city airport.
The art gallery situated in the visitor’s arena in the airport was thrown open to the public after it was inaugurated by the Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patasani and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) chairman R K Srivastava at around 1:20 pm in the presence of airport director Sharad Kumar. Several artists and other dignitaries were also present during the inauguration ceremony.
Around 15 paintings of the fingertip-painting artist Sucheta Priyabadini were put on display in the airport art gallery. While most of the paintings were on the Lord Jagannath and other gods some were dedicated to human emotions. All these paintings were created by Sucheta, who used only fingertips and vibrant colours and not paintbrushes. Several visitors, including the dignitaries praised the innovative work displayed in the art gallery.
“Around 15 paintings of mine were put on display at the art gallery Wednesday and it was a proud moment for me. This will also help to project the rich culture of the state to the visitors visiting the airport and will help give an exposure to the art and culture of Orissa. Meanwhile it will also help many artists from the state to get a big platform to portray their work,” said Sucheta, also a joint registrar of the KIIT University.
Appreciating the works of Sucheta, airport director, Sharad Kumar said, “This is a noble initiative. The move will help in propagating the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the state to other parts of the country. In the days to come more creations will be displayed in the newly-opened gallery.”
In the days ahead several other artists will get a chance to display their work at the gallery. One artist will get 15 days to showcase his or her work in front of the public. According to airport sources, hardly any airport in the country has art gallery on its premises.
