Lore and legends at Puri

Parameshwar Raju’s calligraphy offer a peak into practices leading up to Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri

July 01, 2017 04:15 pm | Updated 04:15 pm IST

The three idols all decked up for the yatra

The three idols all decked up for the yatra

Poosapati Parameshwar Raju’s calligraphy is a delight to behold. In simple, swift strokes, the master artist evokes a sense of joy. He conveys cheer through a slight tilt of the figures and a sense of movement in images where he re-imagines devotees dancing during Rath Yatra, complete with drum beats.

At Ailamma art gallery, on display are 45 works that take us on a journey leading up to Jagannath’s Rath Yatra celebrations at Puri.

Curator Koeli Mukherjee Ghose and Parameshwar Raju state that the ‘Working Together’ series highlights the form and significance of the triad of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra and delve into the cosmic collaboration of creator and all that is created (see footnote).

Parameshwar Raju researched extensively for this series, poring over texts and available visual imagery. He remembers visiting Jagannath temple at Puri several times as a child; his grandmother and great grandmother hailed from Daspalla and were involved with the temple festivities. “It was fascinating, as a child, to look at the large deities,” he recalls.

Veiled in mystery

The ‘Working Together’ series took shape between 2015 and 2017. “Many rituals that are a part of preparations for Rath Yatra are shrouded in mystery and are secretive processes. You cannot take photographs or even have access to view what happens behind the scenes. What we see often are visuals of the chariot with deities leaving the temple,” he says.

Each of the works by the artist is accompanied by a descriptive note on practices at the temple and the stories surrounding them. He explains the Varaha avatar, depicts the idol of Lakshmi Narasimha, significance of tree worship and an idol of Jagannath with trishul at the Lingaraja temple. We learn about Vanayaga yatra, motifs on the large axe that’s brought out of Jagannath temple once in many years and the transportation of daru (log) to Sri Mandir during Navakalebara ceremony.

Raju draws attention to how craftsmen and chitrakars (artists) build new chariots and paint patachitras each year. Semi circles denote large chariot wheels in the making and comparatively tiny men are at work, driving nails into the larger structure. Chitrakars create patachitra representation of the three idols; this is placed at the ‘g arbha gudi ’ (sanctum sanctorum) while the idols undergo an elaborate Snana yatra.

The use of layers of cloth, tamarind paste and turmeric on wood is all explained for viewers to get an idea of behind-the-scenes preparations.

Several diamond-shaped calligraphic forms representing the heads of people are assembled together to show movement while Lord Jagannath is brought out of the temple for the yatra in a repetitive push-and-pull rhythm necessary to transport the heavy idol.

The king sweeping the chariots

The king sweeping the chariots

Chera Pohara or the legend of the king of Puri sweep ing around the chariot before the yatra is depicted beautifully. The artist then depicts the three chariots — Nandighosa (for Jagannath), Darpadalana (Subhadra) and Taladhwaja (Balabhadra). The notes explain the structure of the chariots and the dressing of the idols.

Shiva and Krishna

Shiva and Krishna

Inside the temple, take a closer look at Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Hanuman idols through the artist’s imagery and learn how the five flames of Neelamadhab lamp denotes five senses. Stay with the artistic representation of Rukmini-Krishna Kalyanam, the coming together of Shiva and Vishnu and their placement denoting the cycle of life.

‘Working Together’ is on display at Ailamma art gallery, Sundaryya Vignana Kendram, till July 20; 12noon to 8pm.

(The triad: The curator’s statement throws light on the unique form of the triad. “The top of the three idols together symbolises Brahmanda or cosmic egg. This form is suggested as the Trinity. If we divide the egg breadthwise into three parts, we get two semi oval on two extremities and an oval in the middle. The Trinity are the first manifestations of existence and each of the trio represents an active principle — Prakriti, Purusha and Kala. The oval is Prakriti or Subhadra and the two semi oval forms are that of Jagannath and Balabhadra. They represent the three Gunas. The association of the trio with the Gunas lead us to the active principles of creation,” explains Koeli.)

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.