Keonjhar: Odisha is blessed with thousands of extraordinary artists. However, there are many such artists who are living below the proverbial poverty line fighting everyday for their very existence. Orissa Post interacted with one such artist couple Abhimanyu and Binapani Maharana, who despite living in abject penury, are doing their best to revive the dying art of creating masterpieces from waste wood pieces and paddy art.
Abhimanyu Maharana and Binapani both were qualified artist listed with Odisha State Co-operation handicrafts Corporation Limited Bhubaneswar in the year 1984-86. However after shifting to Keonjhar the couple found it tough to carry on in face of severe financial crunch and due to want of Government assistance.
It is not easy in Keonjhar’s Shivanarayanpur village to find people who truly appreciate art; the majority of the population is that of farmers’ and the remaining few are Government servants. However, the couple is trying their best to keep the art alive.
Abhimanyu who is a master craftsman of ivory often teaches children the tricks and tips of wood art as well as the master techniques of ivory art. Although ivory is now banned, it does not bother Mahrana, as he works on old ivory pieces.
“I would be grateful to the local authorities, Government, other artisans if they all can come together and revive the ivory art, which was known as the Royal art,” says Abhimanyu.
The couple has won accolades and certificates at various art shows across the country in places like New Delhi, Jhansi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, but that has not changed their poor financial condition.
“Living in a one room house can be tough. I cook, teach art to local girls and live in the same one room house,” says Binapani.
Even after winning coveted accolades like ORMAS Best artist award 2012, I&PR Best artist award 2013, Gramshree Mela award 2006, the couple is forced to live in penury.
Sujit Patnaik an art connoisseur of the village said ‘that both Abhimanyu and Binapani is A-grade artist, but the authorities concerned of the local art department are just not bothered about them. The day will come when such artists and their work won’t exist anymore.
“Had it been West Bengal’s Bishnupur the paddy art work of Binapani would have gone for thousands of Rupees per Piece, but here people are reluctant to buy the same even for a few hundreds,”, he rued.
What really sets the couple apart is their passion to continue with their art, despite fighting to make both ends meet.