Puri, May 21 (IANS). Talpatra artiste Soumyaranjan Das believes traditional art forms are finally getting the recognition they deserve on the global stage. He gives credit for this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Talking about the growing international attention on Odisha’s palm leaf carving art, Das told IANS that while some may see Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gifting of traditional handicrafts as a strategy, the artisans see it differently.
“For artisans like us, this is a medium to promote and expand our work and art,” Soumyaranjan Das said.
He further said, “I don’t think the gifts that PM Modi has given to foreign leaders are part of any agenda. ‘PM Modi hai to mumkin hai,’ and that is why our art is now getting recognition all over the world.”
He was answering the questions in which it was asked how the gifts given by PM Modi to foreign leaders reflect the Indian tradition.
During his recent visit to Norway, PM Modi presented specially selected Indian gifts to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stort, King Harald, Queen Sonya and Crown Prince Haakon. These gifts highlighted India’s rich artistic traditions, sustainable craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Queen Sonya was presented with a ‘Pattachitra’ artwork made on palm leaves, locally known as ‘Tala Pattachitra’. It is one of the most ancient and intricate artistic traditions of Odisha. Unlike paintings on cloth, this art form involves intricate carvings on specially prepared palm leaves taken from the ‘Palmira’ tree.
Known for its incredible detail, Pattachitra palm leaf art is often made in the form of foldable panels or strips held together by thread. In this, a combination of storytelling, calligraphy and traditional painting can be seen in a single artistic form.
Its natural textures and intricate craftsmanship reflect the patient toil of artisans passed down over generations and the never-ending creativity of the artisan communities of Odisha.
Das said that the promotion of traditional palm leaf art of Odisha has opened up new opportunities for the artisans who earlier had to face a lot of difficulties in making their identity. According to him, in recent years this art has received much appreciation across the world.
“This is definitely a promotion of our culture and traditional art,” he said.
Earlier, hardly anyone paid attention to this art, but today we are getting very positive responses from all over the world. PM Modi has become a medium through which the culture and traditional arts of Odisha are reaching the global platform.
–IANS
SAK/DKP