Paitkar painting depicting indigenous culture of the State using natural colours extracted from local stones and plant leaves is probably on the verge of extinction. Painters of the ancient art form found only at Amadubi, about 65 km from Jamshedpur, are finding it difficult to promote their creativity among the young generation.
The problem has cropped up despite Government’s effort to declare the village for rural tourism in collaboration with Jharcraft and Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) in 2013.
“A training school for teaching the art form to others especially youngsters was inaugurated last year by Tourism Minister Suresh Paswan along with the tourist cottages. We had requested the concerned officials few months back to grant us funds for the functioning but no action has been taken,” Amadubi village mukhiya Kamlanath Gope said.
More than 100 artisans are dependent on the painting as it is their only source of livelihood. “Prior to the inauguration, we had once taught our art to nearby school students in workshops with the help of NGOs and education department. Even now, we are asked to represent in workshops at Khelgaon or latehar. It is not always possible for us to commute far off areas due to low income. Industry department had assured to open the Gurukul (centre where students learn the basic skills of life from their teacher). Since it is not functioning, we have to roam door-to-door or migrate in other states for selling our paintings ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 7,000,” senior painter Anil Chitrakaar said.
Notably, the Government’s grassroot initiative to promote the art form with an NGO Kalamandir from 2013-16 also seemed to have least affect. “The NGO is supposed to support us but that is not up to the mark,” Gope said. Meanwhile, when the government authorities were approached for their focus over the woes of these painters, they put the gun on other’s shoulder.
“As of now, we are not responsible for the particular infrastructure. It was supposed to be a shelter for these painters as they lack space for carrying out their work. Infact, we have plans to rope in the Paitkar painters in yet to be made Jharkhand Institute of Craft, Design and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with NID. Tourism department is incharge of their ongoing activities,” Jharcraft managing director (MD) Dhirendra Kumar said.
Similarly, JTDC MD Sunil Kumar sidelined his department’s role in promoting the painters. He said, “Jharcraft is supposed to work for their uplift.” Education specialists who had supervised a workshop at Amadubi’s Upgraded Middle School in 2012 pointed out the suggestions on how the unique art can be preserved in a continuous process.
“Keeping in view the recommendations of NCF 2005 and RTE Act 2009, art education in school can benefit students as well as ensure preservation of the rich culture of Jharkhand. RTE stipulates that any school having enrolment above 100 children should have part-time instructor for Art Education apart from Health and Work Education,” said an education specialist.
Finding no way to continue the tradition, as many as 45 painters of this village are training their children about the art. “We are compelled to teach our children Paitkar. later, they may have to choose it as profession instead of fulfilling their own aspirations,” Anil said.