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Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata,
an autonomous body, under Ministry of Culture, Govt. of
India primarily engaged in promoting, strengthening and
propagating the extremely rich folk and rural cultural traditions
of the nation, is also implementing a Project sanctioned
by the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India under
the SGSY (Special Project) Scheme for revival and revitalization
of dying art forms of 10 backward districts of West Bengal
& Orissa for sustainable livelihood of the artisans. The
Project is the only one of its kind under the Special Projects
of the Ministry of Rural Development using performing art
and visual art skills for attaining sustainable livelihood.
The dying art forms include 12 performing arts and 3 visual
arts. The project intends to benefit 4000 artisans in the
two states for an additional sustainable livelihood of at
least Rs.24,000/- per annum. The project period is three
years and is targeted to benefit 80% artisans belonging
to BPL families including about 3 to 5 percent handicapped
persons and women.
Visual arts selected under the
Scheme are as under :
West Bengal
Midnipur -- Patta Chitra Paintings
Orissa
Raygada -- Saura Paintings
Raghurajpur, Puri -- Patta Chitra Paintings
The identified visual art forms are enriched with tremendous
potential in terms of promotion and propagation beyond the
conventional avenues.
Midnipur, West Benggal - Patta Chitra Paintings
Patashilpa is actually a composition of Patashilpa and
Pater Gaan. The painting is drawn on a piece of cloth known
as ‘Pati’. The brush is originally made with
the help of bamboo stick and goat hair. The colours are
extracted from the natural herbs and plants. The art is
more or less a group based activity, wherein the family
members play the role of coartists. Paintings are more focused
on contemporary issues such as health, awareness, terrorism,
natural calamities rather than traditional mythological
themes. The art form is now picturised on the variety of
other cloths such as sarees, T shirts, ladies, suits, etc.
the paintings are also utilized for calendars, posters and
other display items.
Raghurajpur, Puri, Orissa - Patta Chitra Paintings
Pattachitra is one of Orissas earliest art forms. Primarily
portraying Sri Jagannath, its themes extend to the Hindu
epics and mythology. Pattachitra is an elaborate and time
consuming art. The unique aspect is that these colours not
only retain their brilliance for a long period, but the
gum used for treating the patta keeps it free from insects.
It took six months to a year to complete a particular painting.
One very interesting fact about pattachitra is that although
there is an abundance of colour, it is not the central thing
with which the artist seeks to create an impression. Instead,
great attention is paid to the expressions of the figures
and the emotions they portray. An ancient art form that
has evolved with time, yet retained its essence, pattachitra
has captured a place in the hearts and imaginations of artists
and art lovers alike.
Raygada, Orissa - Saura Paintings
The Sauras are one of the oldest tribes of India. The Sauras
are specially famous for rich variety of their paintings
based on religious and ceremonial themes. Each Idital contains
various symbols and signs and convey special meaning for
which it is meant. The pictograms are categorized into different
sections as per their meaning and purpose. The paintings
are conspicuous for their elegeance, charm, aesthetic and
ritualistic association. In fact, these pictograms are their
literature and philoshophy, it is based on magico-religious
belief. The Saura painting has its own originality and uniqueness
developed in a mystic form not found in any of the art form.
Its style, boldness and symbolic representation of life
style pattern with strong visual images creates an awareness
of feelings. The name and the form is already popular and
the saura tribes and painter are a innocent and open minded
lot, hence attitudinal development and sense of discipline
can be taken up in a more acceptable format.
In order to have a larger scope for popularizing the visual
arts, EZCC conducted Workshops in association with National
Institute of Fashion Technology, Kolkata, Apeejay Institute
of Design, New Delhi and with reputed designer and exporter
of Kolkata for perpetuation of the art forms by developing
new product lines which will result in enhanced awareness
about the art forms as also marketability of their artistic
skills and consequently the income levels of the artisans.
Remarkable product lines have been developed in the workshops
which were exhibited in various National fairs and festivals.
The products were very much appreciated by the visitors
and buyers everywhere.
Contact
Us :
directorezcc@yahoo.co.in
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