post news network
Bhubaneswar, July 26: A two-day papier mache mask-making workshop organised by Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, in association with Pratishruti at Padampur, Khurda, concluded Tuesday. The event was part of a village outreach programme of the institutions.
About 30 people, including young women and schoolchildren from Padampur, Bhimpur, Belpada and Badatota among others, participated in the workshop and were taught making of papier mache masks using old newspapers.
Sulachana Maharana and Pratima Maharana, papier mache artists from Raghurajpur, were the resource persons at the workshop and they taught participants the ways to make masks.
Pratishruti has been working at Padampur and areas nearby for the promotion of art and crafts. Jayashri Singh, the deputy director of the non-governmental organisation, said: “We are trying to promote art and crafts of Orissa that are on the verge of extinction. We train young girls and schoolchildren in such art forms that can help them earn a living. Papier mache is interesting and easy to learn, which is why Lalit Kala Akademi has joined us in organising this workshop.”
Sulachana, who is 50, learned papier mache mask making from her father. She says it requires dedication to learn. “It takes a lot of patience and dedication to learn the art. We largely use only natural substances to prepare the materials we need for the craft such as glue. I have been making papier mache masks from my childhood days,” she said.
Sulachana and Pratima have been jointly teaching papier mache craft for several years. They also assist students who wish to take up mask-making as a trade with inputs such as moulds. “Moulds are vital to mask making. At such workshops we only teach participants the technique of making papier mache masks. But they will need moulds if they have to continue making masks on their own. Most participants at the workshop are enthusiastic about continuing with the craft,” Sulachana said.
Many of the participants at the workshop were young women graduates who were also learning pattachitra painting. They are optimistic that the art form will help them stand on their feet and earn a decent living.
“I graduated from PN College and am interested in art and craft. That is why I joined pattachitra painting classes. Making papier mache masks is interesting. I have learnt how to wrap layers of papers with glue made from tamarind seeds, how to dry them and covering the masks with thin layers of mud and cow dung. It gives me immense pleasure to see the masks I have completed with all its bright colours,” Itishree Jena, a participant from Belpada, said.
