Bhubaneswar, Oct. 26: Art enthusiasts from different parts of the world have gathered at the heritage village of Raghurajpur to take part in a five-week long cultural exchange programme.

Hosted by Raghurajpur International Art and Craft Exchange, six artists from Canada, Australia, Germany and USA are participating in the programme that is in its fourth edition this year.

The artists are taking lessons in pattachitra, tassar painting, palm-leaf carving and making toys with cow dung from traditional craftsmen. A few of them are also taking lessons in Odissi dance.

Silke Meyer from Germany is learning to make pattachitra and can’t stop praising the village and its artists. “The people are so humble and so hospitable. I could not believe that there could be such a place where an entire village is dedicated to a particular art form. Their dedication is incomparable,” said Meyer.

“I really like the detailing and vibrant use of colours in pattachitra. It requires a lot of patience to draw the representations that involves a lot of intricacies,” adds Meyer.

Traditional pattachitra artist Kailash Chandra Maharana is equally excited to train his foreign friends. “We generally do not get such opportunities. The exchange programme will help them gather knowledge and also increase the visibility of our art form,” said Maharana.

Vrinda Gleeson who has come all the way from Australia plans to describe her experience among friends and relatives in her country. “It is unbelievable how people make toys out of cow dung in this era of electronic and plastic goods and with such beauty and perfection. I am trying to learn the tricks of the trade as quickly, and flawlessly, as possible. I will take a few of these with me and show it to my closed ones and encourage them to join the festival next year,” said Gleeson.

As a part of the programme, the artists are visiting heritage sites in the state and interacting with youngsters at various educational institutions in Bhubaneswar. The festival began on October 12 and will continue till November 18. An exhibition will be conducted on the concluding day where the artists will showcase their work.