Bhubaneswar, Nov. 6: The state's Lalit Kala Akademi and Khadi and Village Industries Board are holding a pattachitra workshop to give artists a platform to extend their reach in the global market.
The workshop also aims to create livelihood opportunities for artists through marketing of artworks. After the workshop, some of the selected artists would be assisted in starting their own pattachitra studios.
"The artisans will be encouraged to create niche products, keeping the demand in mind. There is a huge market for Odia products outside the state and country. There are a number of artists who make wonderful creations using pattachitra, but are unable to sell them. Our aim is to give them the platform," said president of the board Tejeswar Parida.
Artists are also trying to innovate and use pattachitra art to design contemporary products such as lamp stands, cushion and mobile covers.
Raj Kishore Maharana, son of popular artist Binod Maharana and a faculty member at KIIT School of Fashion Technology, uses the art form on canvas shoes.
"We do make designs of divine figures, but we paint the folk and tribal themes on the shoes to make it attractive. We also use the art form on apparels and present them during ramp shows," said Maharana.
He and his team also try their hands at imparting a 3-D touch to the paintings.
"It is important to move out from the regular format and experiment with the medium. Unless we try new things, its reach will be limited," he said.
Both the veteran and the young artists are working with the government to develop value-added products from resources available locally and improve their marketability.
"We are helping them tie up with a number of online shopping portals so that their products get a global reach. There are a number of artists in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack who sell their products online. We are trying to link them with rural artists so that their creations could be sold online," said Parida.
"One could hardly miss the hard work and special techniques that go into creating pattachitra that reflects the diverse identity of Odisha. It is important for artists to come together and help others to keep the traditions alive," said Laxmi Priya Panigrahi, a participant.
Around 50 artists are taking part in the workshop that concludes on November 9. Artworks created at the workshops would be used to make an animation film.
