An artist paints a portrait of tribal leader Birsa Munda during the felicitation ceremony of 34th National Games at Morabadi. Telegraph picture

The state museum in Hotwar will display 15 portraits of Jharkhand’s icons immortalised by contemporary artists.

Interestingly, these artistic tributes were paid during the December 9 ceremony when 34th National Games winners were feted at Morabadi’s Birsa Munda football stadium.

As many as 15 painters performed a jugalbandi with well-known folk artiste Nandlal Nayak and other tribal musicians as their brushes kept pace with the musical beats.

Artists such as V.K.Singh, Vinod Ranjan, Dilip Toppo, Krishna Prasad, Ondrilla, Rajesh Sinha, Vibha Mishra, Tapsi, Vishwanath Lakra and Manoj Kumar Sinha picked up their brush whenever the name of a freedom fighter was announced at the glittering event, made glamorous by the presence of Team India’s first couple, Sakshi and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Painters got 12 minutes in the backdrop of folk music to sketch freedom fighters such as Bindrai, Sindrai, Vir Budhu Bhagat, Birsa Munda, Shaheed Pandey Ganpat Rai and Shaheed Sidho Kanho, among others.

Assistant director of the state’s art and culture department Vijay Paswan said the idea was conceived by artist Dilip Toppo. “It was a new experiment appreciated by the department. We gave nod to Toppo’s proposal,” he said.

Moreover, Paswan expressed his joy that the jugalbandi was a huge success. “It was highly appreciated by dignitaries and guests. While the felicitation ceremony was going on, artists were busy filling up their canvases,” he added.

They would host an exhibition at Kala Mandir and display the paintings at the state museum, he added. “Not only will the artists get exposure, visitors will also get the chance to know about our freedom fighters who fought against the British,” said Paswan.

Vinod Ranjan who painted Sindrai and Bindrai, described this as an unique experience. “The live concept was unique,” he said.