An exhibition by members of Odisha Progressive Artists’ Group at Modern Art Gallery in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 21: Members of the Odisha Progressive Artists’ Group screened their documentary film — Think Village — at the Utkal University of Culture’s library hall today.

Earlier on Monday, they showcased their creation at Odisha Modern Art gallery.

Sudeep Barik, Priya Ranjan Baral and Gopal Krushna Jena, the three young artists and final-year students of the sculpture department of Utkal University of Culture, visited their respective villages during the summer vacation and interacted with the villagers.

They observed the changes that the Bodhei (Jagatsinghpur), Garudabandi (Dhen-kanal) and Adia (Bhadrak) villages had undergone.

The artists brought back the images of rural lifestyle to the city-based art gallery, where they showcased their artworks and the documentary.

Villages used to hold an evening get-together called Bhagabat Tungi where people gathered to listen to discourses from the Bhagavad. It not only helped strengthen the community but was also a source of entertainment. The advent of television was obvious but the beauty of our villages inspired us to make a documentary,” said Jena.

The trio showcased artefacts, pictures and the documentary at the gallery.

“The documentary has weaved the insights of the old and the youths of the villages. The transition from mud-walled huts to semi urban structures and concrete houses has been well captured by the artists,” said Tarakant Parida, director of the gallery who also funded the documentary.

Art lovers gathered in good numbers to witness the rural life in an urban set up.

“The artists have brought alive the questions that haunt us everyday — what happens to the village way of life in these modern times driven by technology? It is a wonderful endeavour,” said Abhay Kumar Samal, a visitor.

The 25-minute documentary will be preserved in the Utkal University of Culture archive.