The sculpture on display at Dhauli hills near Bhubaneswar, Odisha

The tale of King Asoka resonates in stones of the Dhauli hillock. The story has been retold through rock sculptures by artistes from all over the state at a 10-day camp that concluded on Saturday. Organised by the Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi and the Odisha tourism development corporation, the state-level sculptors’ camp was aptly titled War and Peace.

The sculptors worked on the hills during the camp with a view of the Dhauli peace pagoda that inspired them to create exquisite pieces of art out of lifeless stones. Each of the 20 sculptors, including the old hands and the novices, etched their reflections of the theme of a comparison between war and peace. Most of the works showcased elements symbolising Buddha for peace, motivated by the Buddhist site.

Well-known sculptor Prashant Kumar Das, principal of the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Khallikote, created a sculpture with symbolic elements to define his insight of peace. His sculpture featured a fence with sharp and pointed railings. On either side of this fence were carvings that represented two neighbouring regions.

“War mostly takes place between the neighbouring kingdoms and the boundary between them signifies the epitome of hatred. The states, themselves, however, are symbols of peace. I have also included some characteristics of Lord Buddha to illustrate peace,” said Das.

Young sculptors such as Anadi Charan Ojha, Smruti Sai Mishra, Lalat Kishore Pradhan and Amiya Ranjan Ghadei also created some interesting depictions of the theme. Ojha showed a Dharma Chakra at the bottom of the sculpture, over which he created a shield and swords in cross to illustrate war. At the top of the sculpture, a number of roof-like structures were created as a representation of the Dhauli pagoda. Ghadei carved locks of hair as a symbolic depiction of Buddha’s messages while the structure was shaped like a piece of hill from the Himalayas. “I used engravings inside the sculpture and gave it the texture of the ice mountain,” he said.

Pradhan showcased his typical subject of machinery and levers and merged it into the war-peace theme to make a sculpture while Mishra created an abstract piece of art using elements from Mexican civilisation. He used circular textures to represent warriors of the civilisation while the squares and grids portrayed their gods. Similarly, Kanta Kishore Moharana’s work had a contemporary take on the theme. He showcased a sack of grains to present greenery and created building-like structures on it to illustrate urbanisation.

“The fight between environment and urbanisation is the latest in the historical episodes of war,” said Moharana.The works made during the camp will be installed around the Dhauli pagoda. The camp started from December 1.

Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi gave away its 34th annual awards

The Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi gave away its 34th annual awards on Wednesday, encouraging talented artists from all over the state. Artists from different fields and generations got together at the event held at Bhanja Kala Mandap.

The awards were conferred upon eight young artists in different categories. The jury consisting of veteran artists such as Baladev Gambhir, Debaraj Sahoo, Bana Bihari Parida and Gouranga Bariki reviewed 122 art works to select the awardees. The awards for 2010-2011 in contemporary painting were presented to Pramode Mallick, Ranjit Sahoo, Abdul Salam Khan and Suryakanta Swain.

The winner for the traditional painting award was Rita Behera. Rashmikanta Patnaik was awarded for graphic art while Manok Kumar Rout and Biswaranjan Kar, for sculptures.“We looked for original concepts and presentation as well as finesse of art in the work while selecting the art works for awards out of the 122 exhibits,” said renowned artist Gouranga Bariki.

The young artists were thrilled on receiving the awards. “I had created a contemporary painting titled The Final Waiting showcasing the wild nature of animals that is also found in humans. I am delighted to have received the award for my work. It will help me do better in future,” said a 24-year-old Ranajit Sahoo.

“I tried to use the traditional painting elements to create something unique. Hence my painting illustrates mythological tales assembled in the body of Meera bai, since she was the epitome of devotion,” said artist Rita Behera.

Another jury had chosen the 122 art works that have been exhibited at the INTACH gallery. “We had received 329 entries that included paintings, graphic arts and sculptures. We selected 122 works that are also exhibited on the occasion,” said Rabi Narayan Rath, secretary of the Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi. Rath was a jury in this initial process.

Culture minister Prafulla Samal, who presented the awards, announced three art galleries that would soon soon come up for artists and art lovers to promote art. “Moreover, art students will soon be given all the facilities such as scholarships, study tours and so on, just like students of others streams,” said Samal. Eminent painter and president of Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi the Durga Prasad Das was present on the occasion.

26th Annual Art Exhibitin of B.K. Art College opening at Jayadev Bhawan on 7th sept. 2011

26th Annual Art Exhibitin of B.K. Art College opening at Jayadev Bhawan on 7th sept. 2011.
will be innaugurated by Mr. Prafulla Samal, the ministre of Turrism and culture
timing 11 A.M.

Odia artists in New Delhi condole demise of Artist Kashinath Jena

The demise of Odia Artist Kashinath Jena give sadness amongst Odia Art fraternity. Odia artists living in Delhi attended the condolence on 4th April at NSD Campus at 5 P.M.

Dillip Tripathy, Ashok Nayak, Pratul Dash, Sudhanshu Sutar, Tapan Dash, Pradosh Swain, Manoj Mohanty, Sambit Panda, Sanjay Bhatt, Pradeep, Rakesh, Ranjan and many other artists attended and pays tribute to this senior artist. Born in 1943 at Kesinga,Koraput Odisha, Kashinath Jena can better be termed as the post-independence second generation artist of Odisha who could sustain the legacy of modern art movement that started in the early 50s.

Jena uses naturalistic motives of an inherent simplicity in which every contour is clearly outlined as though provided for a basic exercise in colour and composition; however, the rigour with which the forms are rendered and his works composed gives them the formality of conventional figuration. His subjects are reduced to simple forms and the surface of his painting is enriched by varied texture and the free use of representational motives.

The Times of India Odisha Icon 2011 Awards (Art & Culture) conferred on Baladev Maharatha

The Times of India Odisha Icon 2011 Awards (Art & Culture) conferred on Baladev Maharatha.Hon’ble MP (Rajya Sabha) Shri Pyarimohan Mohapatra gave away The Times of India Odisha Icon 2011 Awards to 16 personalities at a glittering function held in Bhubaneswar. Each category had a popular choice and a jury's choice awards. Cine Artist Jharana Das was the Guest of Honour.Baladev Maharatha Sir was felicitated with the special jury award for his contributions to art and culture.