The Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, in association with the Odisha State Museum (OSM), organised The World of Rock Art Exhibition on the sidelines of the International Museum Day on May 18 here.
In the world-class exhibition, around 250 photographs of rock arts and six to eight replicas were showcased. This is the first time such a type of exhibition is being organised in the State.
IGNCA Project Director Dr Bl Malla said the objective behind the exhibition is to create awareness among school-going children, college, university students and common people about the creative art. The laymen can know that they have rock arts in their vicinity and they have to preserve it, he asserted.
Rock art is the heritage of common people with natural pigment and colours. Without the help of common people, it is not possible to preserve them, he added.
Malla also said the exhibition will give inputs to the research scholars and academicians. The rock arts from the prehistoric time to the present have been exhibited here, he informed.
“This is a mobile exhibition. Before Odisha, we have showcased these rock arts in Delhi, Banaras and Guwahati,” said project coordinator Rahas Mohanty, adding the mission is to create interest and awareness about the art among multidisciplinary groups.
The six-day exhibition was inaugurated by Chief Guest Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Debi Prasad Mishra. Tourism and Culture Principal Secretary Ashok Kumar Tripathy attended as a Guest of Honour. The function was presided over by Director and Additional Secretary, Department of Culture, Sushil Kumar Das.
OSM Superintendent PK Rath said the exhibition is a welcome step towards the popularisation of rock art in our State. Odisha having a great concentration of prehistoric rock art needs its people to be aware of their importance and preservation.
On the occasion, IGNCA also organised a workshop and lectures on rock art. A special lecture on rock art of Odisha and its living traditions would be delivered by renowned scholar Prof Jagannath Dash on May 19 on the OSM premises, said sources.