BHUBANESWAR: Utkaliya Jhoti Diwas was observed all over the state amid immense gaiety Thursday. Jhoti Chita, a traditional Odia art, is practised mainly in the rural areas of Odisha.
Jhoti symbolises the connection of rice grains with Goddess Laxmi. A stack of paddy or rice sheaves is drawn on the walls. These paintings are structured like a pyramid where women folks of Odisha worship religious motifs to appease Goddess Laxmi and keep the entire household pious.
Orissa Post interacted with various artisans, homemakers and school children among others who participated in Jhoti competitions.
Aksha Jyoti Anand, a Gujrati homemaker, said, “Laxmi Puja on Manabasa Guruvar or epic Thursday is incomplete without Jhoti or Rangolis. In fact, these geometric patterns are traditional Odia aesthetic designs that glorify the harvest time in December.”
Artist Arun Kumar Barik, an art teacher of Nodal UP School at Balasore, said, “Many students of our school have participated in jhoti competitions. This shows how deeply we all are attached to our tradition. Modernism has no impact on our rituals and lifestyle.”
Rimi Debi, a resident of Baliapal village, said, “At least fifty students participated in a jhoti competition at Parulia-Subarnarekha Road which has been decorated with Jhoti to celebrate this auspicious day.”
Winner of the competition Sikhamayi Dwibedi said, “I won the competition and it feels great. What really inspired me to participate in this competition are the artistic patterns of rice paste (Jhoti) that adorns my home and school. This art form not only pleases Goddess Laxmi but spreads the message of swachhta as well.”