The State Bank of India organised a palm leaf carving camp-cum-exhibition for budding artists of Odisha in this unique and traditional art form of the State at its local Head Office premises here from January 3 to 5.
Forty artists from different parts of the State participated and exhibited their talents at the camp. On the concluding day, the artists were felicitated at a function by chief guest BishnupadaSethi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of State F&ARD and Excise Department with certificates of participation and honorarium.
SBI Chief General Manager BVG Reddy, presiding over the meeting, reaffirmed the commitment of the bank to encourage traditional art forms of the State.
In the last two years also, the SBI had held such camps for traditional Pattachitra and canvass paintings. Reddy suggested that the artists consider diversifying the themes of their creations to include mythological and historical contexts from other States and adopt e-commerce to market their products outside the State and the country. He assured that the bank would render all help in this regard.
Hari Shankar Panigrahi, a patron of traditional art forms and Bijay Kumar Parida, renowned artist and teacher, were also felicitated on the occasion. Both of them highly appreciated the gesture of the bank in coming to the help of artists and artisans of Odisha and preserving and promoting these dying and rare art forms.