Bhubaneswar, June 4: The city-based Tribal Museum Complex is showcasing an array of tribal arts and crafts from across the country— from the famous Warli paintings of Maharashtra to the well-known woollen handlooms of Manipur. Tribal artisans are also demonstrating their crafts at the National Tribal Art and Craft Demonstration on here.
Organised by the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) in collaboration with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI), the unique demonstration workshop has given people in the city a chance to witness some exclusive crafts and artworks being created live at the museum complex.
Red, black and white woollen threads mounted on a loom can be seen woven intricately into shawls and mufflers by Manipuri tribals at the event. Some of the artisans also weave them in cotton.
“It takes us two days to complete one shawl when woven with hand. This is our ethnic craft and is known as the Phaing Aao,” said Rani, a weaver from Manipur.
Similarly, Kondh tribals from Odisha are capturing the viewers’ attention by demonstrating live embroidery of the famous shawls of their tribe.
A diverse range of painting styles is also available for viewing at the demonstration workshop. The Bhiti paintings from Madhya Pradesh that use dotted lines to create forms of mythical animals as well as Gods and Goddesses are striking for their colours and also the abstractness in imagery. Painters from the Bhil tribe are here to demonstrate the artwork.
“Originally the colours used to be made naturally. But today we have to meet commercial demands for exhibitions and private buyers. These wall paintings have shifted to canvas since the last couple of decades,” said painter Sher Singh.
Artists from Rajasthan are also here to showcase their Madhna’ paintings. These mostly depict natural scenery and landscape of the state amid which the tribal lifestyle is featured.
“We still use natural colours that are made out of leaves and barks of tress as well as different varieties of soils for different colours,” said Shyamlal, a painter.
Among other striking crafts are the Santhali paintings of Odisha and the paddy craft of the state. The articles created out of paddy grains and stems are beautiful and can be used as decorative pieces to can add charm to your interiors.
The jewellery of various metals that have also been displayed by tribals from Odisha is also attracting visitors.
“It is amazing how the tribal craftsmen design such beautiful ornaments and that too with ease right here at the workshop. It is unbelievable how fast they make absolutely wonderful neckpieces out of weaving beads,” said Nazia, a visitor.
About 50 skilled and traditional artists from different states have been invited to the 10-day workshop, which is on till June 10. Gond painters and Agaria ironsmiths from Madhya Pradesh, Rathwa painters from Gujarat, Saura and lac workers from Andhra Pradesh, potters from Manipur and Tamil Nadu, wood craftpersons, bamboo artists and Muria painters from Bastar, weavers from Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, Toda embroidery artisans from Tamil Nadu and basketry workers from Manipur, Karnataka, Tripura and others are demonstrating their art and craft here.
