In Odisha, you must have heard about popular landmarks like The Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple or Chilka Lake. But do you know that tucked away in the serene countryside of Puri lies a vibrant village, famous for its traditional art, craftmanship, and age-old practices? The village is Raghurajpur. (Image: Instagram/ @naturescalling.-)
Reportedly, it is belived that every artist here is a National award-winner. Their homes look like art galleries, decorated with different types of murals. A UNESCO Heritage Village, Raghurajpur is a haven for art lovers and history enthusiasts, home to more than 120 artisans. (Image: Instagram/ @naturescalling.-)
According to Raghurajpur’s official tourism, the village specialises in 4 specific types of art forms. They are as follows:
– Pattachitra: These are intricate cloth-based paintings which depict mythological themes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas.
– Tala Pattachitra: They are eye-catching palm leaf engravings telling ancient stories.
– Gotipura Dance: It is the traditional Odia dance form performed by young boys. The artisans create handmade masks for the performance, which play a key role in the vibrant folk theatre and other traditional festivals.
– Stone and wood carvings: Exquisite carvings of deities and mythological figures on wood and stone. (Image: Instagram/ @naturescalling.-)
The artists ensure that each and every illustration is detailed, often devoting long hours, as long as 8 months, to the craft. The vibrant hues come out of natural dyes and pigments, without the use of stencils or rulers. Furthermore, children here carry forward the legacy of painitings, starting as early as 5 years old. (Image: Instagram/@prateekofficial)
If you are travelling to Odisha, you can spend an afternoon at Raghurajpur witnessing the artists at work, participating in worshops or immersing themselves in local festivals and rituals. (Image: Instagram/@prateekofficial)
Here, you can also purchase artworks, be it a painting, wall décor, streamers, lamps, face masks, etc, as souvenirs to take back home. Notably, there is no entry fee to the village, and it usually remains open from 6 AM to 10 PM. (Image: Instagram/@prateekofficial)
