I AM WITH NATURE
Exhibition of Paintings
10-15 January 2020
Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre Gallery, Bhubaneswar

A gallery view of Lalit Kala Akademi

Ramahari Jena with Dr. J. P . Das and Chief Guest Sri Lalit Mansingh

‘I AM WITH NATURE’, an exhibition of paintings by ten Odia painters was organised from 10–15 January, 2020 by Ketaki Foundation Trust at Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre Gallery, Bhubaneswar. A catalogue containing the painters’ engagement with nature and their reflections was released during the occasion.

20 paintings of Odia painters of repute based in different parts of the country were showcased in the exhibition. Those paintings were the extempore creations by the artists during ‘Lulung Painters’ Camp 2019’ at Similipal Bioresreve Forest, Mayurbhanj. On the sidelines of the Painters’ Camp special workshops were organised for the children and women of the tribal community who resides in Lulung village. The paintings by the school children and jhoti-chita by women developed during the workshops were displayed in the exhibition as well.

Three most notable literary works of the renowned writer and playwright Gopal Chhotray, Pheria, Parakalama and Pathika were released under Gopal Chhotray Centennial Editions in new print on 11th January evening. The book release was followed by readings from his book Pheria two mesmerising voices. The programme will be conducted by filmmaker and author Biyot Projna Tripathy.

Chhau Dance is an integral part of Mayurbhanj district. Hence, the release of the book was followed by the performances of Chhau dance by renowned performers of the medium.

The exhibition was on view till 15th January 2020, from 11 am to 7 pm, and was a showcase  for a first hand experience for creative connects.

The painters’ camp was organised from 10th to 15th September 2019 bringing together ten Odia painters of repute working in different spheres in India at Aranya Nivas Lulung amidst the pristine environs of the Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest, Mayurbhanj, Odisha. The artists were given exposure to unspoilt nature through jungle trails and were taken around the town of Baripada on a heritage tour, including the Belgadia palace, widening their exposure to the culture and heritage of the place. A special workshop was planned to engage the school children and women of the tribal village Lulung through art workshops where the artists interacted with innocent minds and exchanged ideas and they made paintings and jhoti-chita.

10th January 2020

Inauguration of Exhibition & release of catalogue

Chief Guest: Sri Lalit Mansingh, Former Indian Ambassador & Founder President of Kalinga Lanka Foundation

11th January 2020

Book release of Gopal Chhotray Centennial Editions followed by theatre reading and performances of Chhau dance

Chief Guest: Sri Prashanta Nanda, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Eminent Film Personality

Guests of Honour : Sri Jatindra Nayak, Translator, Literary Critic, Columnist and Educationist
Reading of selected portions from the book ‘Pheria’ and an exclusive performance of Chau dance will follow the programme.