Ch. Santakar
Boy to carry forward the tradition
KORAPUT: Gajapati Mahapatra, 12-year-old grand son of Kumari Mahapatra of Jeypore, is all set to become the torch-bearer of a rich tradition and culture that is being carried forward by the Chitrakar community of Jeypore for generations. Kumari Mahapatra in her eighties is well known for her paintings especially in the field of Pattachitra paintings. She has been instrumental in giving a new look to the three Lords -- Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra -- every year during Anasara period that is observed in the temple after Debasnana Purnima.
The brush offers its prayer by painting the three idols and it was the grace of the Lords that she was given the opportunity since her childhood, she says while painting a picture in her house in the New Colony of Jeypore. However, for her fading vision coming with her age, most of the professional work has been shifted to her eldest son Manohar who was also instrumental in changing the shape of the eyes of the three Lords at Jeypore from round to oval shape in 1983.
Divine art form
This family is one among the 65 Chitrakar families who had been settled in Jeypore since time immemorial even though their origin was rooted to Parlakhemundi region, says Mr. Manohar. These Chitrakars were invited by the then kings of Jeypore kingdom and since then they have not looked back.
The community of artists has found its life in making the dress, mask and other ornaments used in the tribal dances and plays apart from engaging themselves in Pattachitra paintings. Pattachitra, the divine art form which is seen only in the coastal region of the State, is being practised with great successes and acceptance even in the tribal dominated district of Koraput, he says. But the demand for this art form among art lovers has gone down following the passion towards the modern art and paintings.
Adding to it, the number of tribal dance and play shows in the district is also not encouraging which has caused more problems effecting their livelihood support. The art form requires a patient wait for costumers and a majority in the community is not in a position to make a living with the art. Many of them have shifted to other profession and his family too depends mostly on the cement works rather than on the art, says Manohar.
However, experiments to present the fine art with fresh designs has appealed many modern art lovers too and has given a hope for the future, he says. His son Gajapati is undergoing training from the family members.
