Rashmi Rekha Das, OP
Chintamani Biswal loves to portray human emotions on canvas
Sometimes words are not enough to convey how one feels. That’s where colours and symbols help, says 35-year-old Chintamani Biswal who loves to portray human emotions on canvas. Interestingly, Chintamani’s world extends beyond art to Oriya television and films too. However, his forte lies in painting. His famous painting “Indian Mona Lisa” has brought him accolades from painters across the world. Former President Pratibha Patil praised the work and also bought it.
Explaining how he was introduced to the world of art, Chintamani says, “My father Ballavananda Biswal is a sculptor and musician. He makes idols of Ganesh, Saraswati and many other deities during festivals. That apart, he paints landscapes where he transforms regular scenes of Indian life into beautiful images through brushstrokes. From my early childhood, I was attracted to art thanks to my father. As an artist, my main focus is on expressing emotions through colours and brushstrokes.”
He adds, “I belong to a poor family. My father had to work hard to care for a six-member family. When I passed my Class X examinations, I wanted to join an art college. But I had no idea where to go and what to do. In 1997, I came to know about the BK College of Arts and Crafts in Bhubaneswar. I had only Rs 156 when I landed in the city to join the college. Sometime later, I exhibited some of my paintings in Delhi and one of them was bought by a professor from the JJ College of Arts. During my stay at Baya Baba Mutt, one day I got a letter from that professor inviting me to pursue post-graduation in the college. Without a second thought, I rushed to Mumbai. I am really thankful to him.”
Chintamani, who is currently doing his PhD in Orissa folk art from the Utkal University of Culture, recollects his memory related to first painting. “My first painting, done in 1999,showed the suffering of a mother and son after a cyclone hit the state. I got an award for it and it was sold for Rs 60,000.”
The painter, however, shot to fame after he created 44 paintings based on the Gita Govinda of Jayadeva. “I am a spiritual person. That is what inspired me to paint the works based on excerpts from the Gita Govinda. I made around 44 paintings on the Gita Govinda and exhibited them in various places all over the country. Those paintings gave me an identity and people started recognising me. Art lovers from Russia, Australia, Scotland, Dubai and other places bought these paintings.”
Chintamani’s portrait of ‘Utkal Janani’ was unveiled by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a function recently where more than 50,000 students sang the state anthem ‘Bande Utkal Janani.’ He is also the first artist to do a portrait of Jayadeva and it is used at every function related to the great poet.
Interestingly, the talented artist, who has a studio at Ekamra Haat, is also famous for portraying negative characters on the small screen. He was seen in mega soaps like ‘Tulasi,’‘Uttaradayi,’and ‘Manini.’ That apart, he has acted in films like ‘Hata Dhari Chalu Tha.’ Chintamani has been actively sharing his art expertise through his art and craft institute ‘Kalapataru.’ “I started the institute to train children, especially rural children who are good artists but do not get a chance to showcase their talent,” he says.
About the ‘Indian Mona Lisa,’ a resplendent lady in desi attire and ethnic jewellery, he says, “I have done more than 1,000 paintings. But the ‘Indian Mona Lisa’ painting gave me quick popularity and was appreciated by all. I was overjoyed when the former President Pratibha Patil bought the painting for Rs 60,000.”
Feathers in his cap
State Award
Jayadeva painting award
Lalit Kala Akademi Award
Sura Tarang Award
Craft Award as artist
par excellence
Chitra Samman
Gangadhar Smrriti Samman
Sri Jayadeva Rashtriya Kala Samman
Geeta Govinda Painting Award
