Puri: Noted sculptor Pravakara Maharana, who has been felicitated with Padma Shri award this year, gave credit for his success to the 1,200 artisans who had constructed the world famous Sun Temple at Konark in 13th century.
“Those artisans had worked rigorously for 12 years to construct the magnificent structure. They could not even meet their families during the temple construction. I consider myself as one of their descendants and give all credit of my success to them,” said the noted sculptor, a resident of Sujanagar near Gop.
According to Maharana, his father Sadhucharan was a carpenter and had expertise in carving wooden figures. “I was attracted to art and sculpture from my childhood after watching my father carving figures of birds and animals from wood. Initially, I had started shaping clay idols. Soon, my father enrolled me to the Orissa State Handicraft Training Centre in Bhubaneswar in 1975. Since then, I have been carving stones,” Maharana claimed.
The renowned sculptor claimed that the art, architecture and sculpture of Konark Sun Temple, Rajarani Temple and Lingaraj Temple have inspired him to become a good sculptor. “I was in the last year of my training in 1977 when some tourists from abroad visited our institute in Bhubaneswar. They purchased a few stone-made idols from me for `65. Soon, our superintendent Gokul Bihari Pattnaik came to me and predicted that I would become a noted sculptor some day,” recounted Maharana.
The Padma award recipient, who received training from eminent artisans like Bhubaneswar Mahapatra and Satyabadi Maharana, considers his father as his first teacher. “I have achieved name and fame as a sculptor due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Earlier, I received state handicraft award and Shilpiguru award. Besides, then President of India had felicitated me in 1992. The state government had also bestowed a lifetime achievement award on me,” said Maharana, who had received felicitations from several countries like Nigeria, Bhutan, Taiwan, Australia, Italy, France, Malaysia and Zimbabwe.
Maharana urged the people of Orissa and the state government to preserve the Sun Temple and other ancient shrines in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Konark for posterity. “These stone-made structures are part and parcel of our rich culture. Proper preservation of these structures can help us to develop our culture. Besides, the process can boost the tourism sector,” he said.
PNN
