Patachitra
an integral part of our intangible heritage which bears an essence of folk & traditional media
My school, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy has done a lot for me ever since I have been a part of this institution and I must admit that this is one of the best things that the school has done for all of us. The handicrafts workshop was simply amazing!!!!!!! And it wouldn’t be an exaggeration in the slightest if I say that it unfolded in front of my eyes an entire kaleidoscope of art forms. It was like I fell in love with art all over again, being the traveller in trance, exploring a fragment of fascination in the world of art.
We had highly skilled artisans teaching us many great things about each of the folk arts that they were specialised in and it felt marvellous to even observe the intimate love each of the creators was sharing with his/her creation. The artisans were truly extraordinary and their ways of expression were exquisite. What stirred me most was their dedication, sincerity, calmness and the resultant detailed work they produced. In fact I would say that it is the delicate intricacy of each art work that set them apart from all the other works of art we observe in our day to day lives. Moreover, all the artisans were incredible human beings, their way of interacting and expressing themselves was tremendously modest and unexpected.
On the first day of our workshop, all of us were told by our teachers to sit in groups with our respective artisans but I was determined to make good use of this rare opportunity and being both a lover of art and associated with art myself, my curiosity made me probe to learn at least four of the indigenous arts that intrigued me. They were Patachitra, Jute Work, Shola (pith) Work and Doll-making. I really wish the workshop had continued for an even longer period of time as I would have got a chance to get acquainted with all the other forms of art. However, the experiences that I have gathered from these few days were really memorable. Riyaaz Roy (Class XI)