Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 20: A two-day painting workshop on Jagannath Nabakalebara and Shri Jayadev that was organised by Kalpataru Art and Craft concluded here Monday.
Around 15 young students of Chintamani Biswal, a renowned painter who runs the institute, participated in the two-day workshop where they highlighted the various aspects of Nabakalebara and the rituals associated with it.
Speaking to Orissa Post, Chintamani Biswal said the aim was to promote Jagannath culture. “The main objective behind organising the workshop is to promote Jagannath culture of the state. The concept of Nabakalabara exists only in Orissa, which is very unique. God existing in a tree, which is cut down to make an idol which is then worshipped in a temple is something we don’t find in other parts of the country. Every year, we organise such workshops in which eminent painters take part and help the students learn techniques about painting,” Biswal said.
Sudhruti Padhiary, a 13-year-old Class IX student of St Xavier’s High School, Khandagiri who has been learning painting at Kalpataru Art and Craft under the guidance of Biswal is appreciated by everyone for mastering the use of brushstroke at such a young age.
“I started learning painting from Chintamani sir in 2011 and since then I have learnt a lot and there are many more things to be learned. As a kid I used to draw cartoons and fairytale characters. It was my mother who motivated me to learn painting,” Sudhruti said.
The young painter said she found the theme of the workshop quite fascinating. “The theme of the workshop is very interesting as Nabakalebara is a phenomenon which takes place only in Orissa. I made two paintings on the theme. In one painting, I portrayed Lord Jagannath as the creator of the world with a body of a tree representing the Nabakalebara ceremony. In another painting I depicted Lord Buddha as a representative of peace, as Nabakalebara signifies peace and a new beginning,” Sudhruti added.
With more than 50 paintings, Sudhruti has already exhibited her paintings at a solo exhibition in Soochana Bhawan held last year and had won a national award in a national-level painting competition organised by the Water Board on Save Water for the Future. “Painting is a hobby and I want to continue with it as an alternate profession in future. It is something which gives me pleasure and I will continue painting,” she said.
Amit Kumar, an 11-year-old student, said he loved participating in the workshop. “I started painting when I was all of four years old. Playing with colours is something I love to do. Mixing colours, spreading them on a canvas and texture are things that fascinate me. When my friends saw some of my paintings they really admired them and now they are encouraging me to come up with new ideas. I have come up with quite a few paintings and hope to exhibit them in future,” Amit said.
All paintings made during the workshop will be exhibited at Soochana Bhawan on Tuesday where there will be a painting competition involving students from several schools.