Sonepur: Guests and speakers heaped praise on eminent tie-and-dye artist Chaturbhuj Meher while releasing his autobiography Smruti O Ankura at the Bhima Bhoi Kala Mandap here on Sunday evening.

Calling the Padma Shri award winning artist an "inspiration" for the present generation, the speakers tracked Meher's life and times to highlight what had made him so successful in his field and why has he become so special.

Meher, who belongs to the weavers' community, comes from a very humble background. But sheer devotion and dedication for his work has helped him carve a niche for himself in the field of tie-and-dye art in the country. Meher's story of struggle, fight with poverty, facing adversities and winning over difficulties to become one of the most successful ikkat artists comes alive in his autobiography.

Speaking on the occasion, minister of water resource and urban development Niranjan Pujari said that Sonepur has a rich tradition of weaving and its contribution to the textile industry has been overwhelming.

"Sonepur is best known for the weavers who have made a name for themselves at the national level. But the person who has helped the tie-and-dye art of Sonepur reach the pinnacle is Meher. It is he who popularised the Sambalpuri tie-and-dye art outside the state and in the world - both artistically and commercially. He remains an institution by himself," Pujari said.

Minister of handloom, textiles and handicrafts Snehangini Chhuria, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, said that the autobiography of the legendary tie-and-dye artist should inspire the present day youths as it describes how he fought all adversities in life to reach the top.

"His story should inspire everybody. He came from a poor family and lost his parents when he was a child. Yet, he strived for his destination with all convictions. He has shown us what one can achieve by sheer devotion and dedication," the minister said.

Meher said that he always believed in hard work. "Hard work what has brought me wherever I am today. Though I am in the 80's, I still love my work. I work even at this age. One should never stop working," he said.

Among others, professor Manindra Meher of Utkal University, poet Haladhar Nag, litterateur Srnibas Udgata and Sambalpuri folk singer Jitendriya Haripal also spoke on the occasion. Four tie-and-dye artists - Jagdish Meher of Manamunda, Niranjan Meher of Birmaharajpur, Shyam Sundar Meher of Sonepur and Maheswar Meher of Bausuni - were also felicitated on the occasion.