Bhubaneswar: In a bid to boost tourist footfall in Chilika, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday inaugurated Purvasha Folk and Tribal Art museum set up at Barakul near Chilika through video conferencing from Secretariat.
Inaugurating the museum, Patnaik said the museum would play a significant role in promoting, protecting and projecting our great cultural heritage at the global platform. He also launched the website of ODIART Centre.
“Had the weather permitted, I would have been very happy to be at the site for the dedication of this wonderful folk and tribal museum,” he said at the function. The CM thanked the society for development of rural literature which has set up the museum.
“Art is the manifestation of our finer sensibilities. Culminating from the core of our heart, it gives our inner self an identity. It is not about shape or colours, it is all about our dreams, struggle, pursuits and soul-searching that give a different meaning to our life,” he said.
He further said Orissa has a rich cultural and artistic heritage and having experts and practitioners of various forms of art and crafts. State’s traditional, folk, classical and contemporary dance and music forms, and tribal dance and songs speak of the rich heritage and cultural identity.
The unique handicrafts, silver and filigree works, terracotta, pottery, golden grass and cane works, appliqué, horn works, stone and wood carvings of this state have brought glory from all over the world.
”The museum will preserve, protect and also project the rich cultural heritage for the posterity. I hope that the museum will evolve as a vibrant centre of cultural activities and tourist destination,” he added.
The museum, which has 16 galleries, is set up on five acre area at Barakul near Chilika. It features state’s traditional art such as — Mukha, Pattachitra, Manjapa card, painting, Chandua (canopies). Besides, there is a theatre for dance and drama and a library ‘Prafulla’ on the premises of the building, sources said.
Among others, Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patsani, president of the society for development of rural literature Bansidhar Acharya and society’s adviser Prasanna Das were present at the function.
PNN