The Clay Image and Potters of Odisha

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This book offers a path-preaking analysis of the transformations that occupied the art and aesthetic values of odisha during the colonial nationalist periods. I moved beyond most existing assumptions and narratives to explore the complexities and diversities of the changes generated by image making context and pre-occupations in art. I examined both the forms and Practices of Artisans as well as the cultural Part. So I choose this topic to write.

Cuttack is not unfamiliar to me: I belong to the district of Cuttack since I was born and brought-up in small village of Katikata. This is very famous for the rituals and tradition. My mother is a traditional jhoti and chita painter. I have taken these arts as my entertainment. Very often, I used to match the Jhoti and Chita and other ritual performers in my village and other neighboring villages during the occasion.

I feel through this work an understanding of 2) the historical and analytical study of the visual art and the stylistic contents of the clay image-making which have been continuing in costal belt of Odisha, Cuttack in so far as image-making, colouring, ornamentation and other decoration by the Karigaras are concerned.

Dr. Chakradhar Behera is an eminent and established artist who has specialized in the field Creative Painting. Academically he has earned degrees from various universities and institutions with additional professional qualifications in the field of Art. A nationally acclaimed and an aesthetic contemporary artist Dr. Chakradhar Behera has carved a niche for himself in the field of contemporary painting. He works tirelessly for spreading cotemporary creative painting through various solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, workshops and camps. As an influential creative painter this highly-skilled Odia artist he has bagged several national and international awards and honors to his credit. Besides this he has also written several art related research articles which have published in some international and national journals, news papers and magazines. Presently Dr. Behera is working as the Associate Professor of Painting Department, Utkal University of Culture.

The present work tilled "The clay image and painting makers of Cuttack, Odisha" is a thesis of Dr. Chakradhar Behera, Deptt. of Painting, Faculty of Visual Arts for his Ph.D. in Painting (Fine Arts), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. It envisages an in depth study of the extensive art forms associated with the topic which are focused around the heritage city of Cuttack in particular and Cuttack district in general referring to the great traditions of Odishan Art.

Odisha is well-known for its rich cultural heritage and extraordinary political status. Its green lands, hills, forests, fountain and faunas have given the colourful ways to the folk and tribals for the survival of their aesthetic sensibilities. Due to the rich socio-religious and cultural norms, Odisha is always considered as a state of artistry. As a state in culmination with individual artistic styles, powerful traditionality in art forms, the cultural development in Cuttack district has to be recognised as a place of cultural movement for innovation out of the other districts of Odisha.

Hence, it is an important popular art which is followed by another doubt and that whether every individual can create an image. Everyone cannot produce an image of either clay or stone or metal or paper though some can just give a drawing on a paper or in some surface where he can make some drawings. Therefore, the artists, who create images, are also important to the society.

**Contents and Sample Pages**