Rayagada has been a hub of exquisite arts and crafts. Dangaria Kandha, a PVTG of Niyamagiri Hills Range, still retains the aesthetic and intrinsic value attached to “Kapda Gunda”, a shawl woven by the tribe's women using natural colours and yarn.
Similarly, “idital” painting of Saura tribe holds very high standards of traditional art. The State is in the process of facilitating GI tags for these arts.
Kashipur, once known for poverty and starvation deaths, is steadily progressing with a synthesized effort of the Government, PRIs and corporate like Utkal Alumina International Limited(UAIL).
Going beyond dryness of minerals and metals, UAIL has integrated itself into the artistic enigma of the region. A solo art exhibition was organized at Oshapada Township of UAIL, a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited of Aditya Birla Group, recently.
Hina Beig, president of Ujjwal Utkal Ladies Club joyfully amalgamated her canvases, brushes and colours together to create something meaningful and displayed around 35 inspiring paintings which are dedicated to nature, human lives, values, culture, history and traditional art forms.
It is one of its kind initiative at Utkal where Beig, being the torch bearer in promoting art and culture in this tribal hinterland, dedicated her art works to the employees, families, service partners and community to spread a message about the importance of art in our day to day life.
She spread a message as to how painting has a direct impact with our day-to-day life, emotions, memories etc. Through this she also circulated a message that investing time in painting not only gives eternal peace to an individual but also touches the soul of others.
Beig is a passionate woman leader, who has taken the Ladies Club activities to greater heights and has always been an inspiration to women at Utkal Family through her relentless effort to promote talent in art and culture in and around Utkal Alumina.
“All the paintings displayed are very expressive and meaningful and would certainly inspire our children towards art as narrated by the spectators on the occasion,” said Head CSR and Community Relations Dr Lopamudra Priyadarshini, who is an ardent lover of such initiatives. The three-day exhibition was witnessed by more than 500 viewers.