Meet the Artist,” the programme which is meant for promotion of traditional and contemporary visual art, had yet another session in the premises of the JD Centre of Art (JDCA) here on Saturday.
In this 159th “Meet the Artist” programme, the topic of discussion was ‘Odissi costume design and jewellery’. The speaker was leading Odissi costume designer Bhagirathi Das.
Cuttack-based Das was born in the year 1934. He started his career as an Odissi costume designer with the suggestions of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. He has made Odissi costumes for Kumkum Mohanty, Ileana Citaristi, Dona Ganguli, Priyambada Mohanty-Hejmadi and many more eminent Odissi dancers.
Das spoke about the evolution of Odissi costumes. He said that about 50 years ago, sarees were used in Odissi dance costumes. Then dress pattern costumes like three-piece and five-piece costumes were introduced. Since last four years, most of the dancers are using the Mahari costumes.
Das also explained the differences between the Mahari, three-piece and five-piece costumes. And about jewellery, he said filigree workers are usually making Karnaphula, Bajubandha, Kangan, Sinthi, necklace, hairpin, etc. Tahia is imported from Puri and Bengapatia from Agra, he said.
They are also exporting all these costumes to foreign countries. Odissi costumes and jewelleries are in great demand in the United State of America, Das said.He said, “We want to expand this business. If Government supports us then we can spread the business all over the country.”