Bhubaneswar, Feb. 5: Raghurajpur village in Puri district is the epitome of Odisha’s artistic excellence. A unique settlement, the village on the Bhargavi river and surrounded by coconut, palm, mango and jackfruit groves is identical to any other village, but with a Midas touch.

Now, the same village in a miniature form is gradually coming up on the outskirts of the city, but near the famous archaeological site of the Sisupalgarh fort ruins. The mini Raghurajpur with the artistic surrounding of Gangotrinagar, where many artists and sculptures are not only living, but also spreading their art forms through many budding artists as they learn the intricacies in the formers’ studios.

Welcome to Gangotrinagar, the newly found valley of the artisans near the bank of the historic Gangua nullah, which was also the moat of the Sisupalgarh fort in the past.

“We have one Sisupalgarh in the entire world and we have to preserve it,” these words by German professor Paul Yule of University of Heidelberg, speak volumes about the historic importance of the monument, depicting an early historical urban site near the state capital as the fort is contemporary to the Gupta dynasty.

“With the formation of an artisan, cluster near the historic fort could also enhance the tourism prospect of the Sisupalgarh fort as tourists can come to Gangotrinagar and see the artisans doing their work in their respective studios,” said Surya Narayan Das, a resident of Gangotrinagar.

“Raghurajpur has 103 households having 311 artisans engaged in the artwork and many are national award winners, while the Gangotrinagar came up near the city only in 2000, there were almost 200 artisans working at various studios and workshops of famous artists and master craftsmen. Three pattachitra artistes — Bijay Kumar Parida, Bhramarbar Nayak and Rabindranath Sahoo — are national award winners in pattachitra art form. Likewise, Raghunath Mohapatra, Ramakant Mohapatra, Prabhakar Maharana and Ratnakar Maharana are also national awardees. Now, the craftsmen are creating more artisans to take the creativity further,” said Das, also an art and craft enthusiast.

Already, the artisans and sculptors have earned their names for stone carvings and sending many statues to foreign countries. Now, the pattachitra artists are also making their mark and doing great work.

Pattachitra master artist Bijay Kumar Parida said: “Like the stone carvings are getting recognition on their theme-based works, we are also getting specific offers to pain pattachitra work on themes such as Buddhism. Also non-resident Indians are coming up with new ideas and want them to be reflected in the work keeping the view of the originality intact. There is also a demand on palmleaf-based carvings as they are becoming very popular abroad.”

One of the Parida’s bicolour murals got the attention of the chief minister, and later, he invited him to paint a wall at his residence. He is now becoming popular among the senior diplomats and bureaucrats. Even a Calcutta-based art investor and owner of a major industrial house had ordered several gold-plated and engraved pattachitra work. At present, Parida is working on such a gold-based pattachitra at his Gangotrinagar studio.

Apart from getting recognised from the outer world, the master craftsmen are also helping junior artistes to gain experience and exposure to do great art works and also appreciation in other states and national level.

“Young students are also coming to my studio to learn pattachitra and I hope that anyone can create a great career out of his own creative urge. Every student need not go to an art and crafts college, but should have genuine interest,” Parida said.

Likewise, Prabhakar and Ratnakar Maharana, two siblings, have shifted their bigger workshop to near the foothills of Dhauli. “The present place is becoming so chaotic with honking sounds, that on many occasions our concentration is getting diverted. If the authorities can try and make this a no-horn zone, more artisans can benefit,” said the Maharana brothers.

However, Parida stressed on more tourist linkage in collaboration with the tourism and culture department and the tour operator, so that the concept of a mini Raghurajpur near the city could be developed. Even with the concept of Raghurajpur here the development of laterite walls and carvings can be added to the landscape keeping an eye on the Sisupalgarh fort and its historic link.