The 183rd Meet the Artists programme of the JD Centre of Art was organised here on Saturday with Saura artist and teacher Samanta Gamango speaking on the subject, ‘Saura Art and Craft’.
Gamango said the Saura tribes are well-known for their rich culture heritage and artistic acumen. Sauras are one of the most ancient tribes in India and find mention in Ramayana and Mahabharata, he added.
Talking about Saura paintings, the artist said the paintings are an integral part of the religious ceremonies of the Saura tribals and are found in the southern districts of Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati and Koraput. The socio-religious Saura paintings, which are dedicated to the main deity of the Sauras, are based upon tribal folklore and have ritualistic importance.
Apprehending extinction to the tribal art form, Gamongo said “Commercialization should not erase the rich cultural heritage of the Saura tribe. It is high time to document, revive, preserve, popularise and propagate the rich heritage of culturally-vibrant Saura tribe”.
Among others, G Upadhyay, Dhiren Das, Manmohan Mahapatra, Mangala Prasad Mohanty spoke.