Odisha CM’s Pattachitra gift to Pope Francis at Vatican City earns accolades, artists delighted
Puri: The heritage village in Odisha’s Puri district Raghurajpur has earned accolades recently after CM Naveen Patnaik presented the ‘Tree of Life’ pattachitra to Pope Francis in the Vatican City yesterday.
It is to be noted that this precious piece of gift has been made in Raghurajpur by Apindra Swain. It will not be an exaggeration to aver that the said Pattachitra has become instrumental to propagate the reach Odishan art skill in the international arena.
According to the creator of ‘Tree of Life’ Swain it took him long fifteen days to come up with the said painting. Besides a marvelous tree art the pattachitra also has images of different animals and birds.
The Pattachitra painting was engraved with colours like White, black, red etc, and looks very attractive in nature. The villagers are feeling extremely proud, as their work has crossed oceans and brought laurels from all the way Rome.
It is to be noted that Pattachitra is a popular art form while this one is from the heritage village in Puri district of Odisha. Pattachitra is a unique ancient traditional cloth base scroll painting. It is unique in lieu of its intricate detail, natural colours and mythological themes. Last but not least, pattachitra shows the unique expertise of the skilled craftsman of Odisha.
Ms Kalinga
Hats off to Apindra Swain and his fellow Pattachitra artists. They are keeping a rich Odiya tradition alive.