‘The Clay Continuum’ celebrates tradition through contemporary terracotta art
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 7: Clay turns into a storyteller when shaped by an artist’s hand. This spirit comes alive at ‘The Clay Continuum’, a terracotta exhibition underway at the Regional Centre of Lalit Kala Akademi, Kharavela Nagar, Bhubaneswar.
Padma Shri awardee and noted artist Binod Maharana inaugurated the exhibition. Representatives from the Craft Council, Handicrafts Department and College of Art and Crafts were present at the inaugural programme.
The exhibition brings together creative works by eight prominent terracotta artists of Odisha, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the meeting point of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary artistic expression.
Artist Bana Rana’s seven-foot ‘Ghantapatua’ is among the major attractions. The work captures the traditional Chaitra-month ritual associated with Maa Mangala. His ‘Kanchi Abhiyan’ portrays Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra on horseback interacting with Manika Gauduni, bringing the legendary episode vividly to life.
Naratam Das’s nine-foot ‘Pillar of Divine Love’ presents Lord Krishna amidst thousands of Gopabalas in an impressive depiction of Basanta Panchami. Sanjay Muduli’s works, including ‘Hanging Symphony’, inspired by Odisha’s Boita Yatra and Krishna lore, have also drawn attention.
Other notable works include Mukunda Rana’s ‘Fall of Mahishasura’, Sudhir Ranjan Maharatha’s ‘A Courtyard of Memory’, and Sukanta Muduli’s works inspired by Puri and Vrindavan.
A special attraction is Saroj Kumar Raut’s ‘The Chariot of Eternity’, depicting the Chaturdha Murti, the 32 Beshas of Lord Jagannath and the iconic Tahia of Rath Yatra.
With its blend of tradition, mythology and contemporary creativity, ‘The Clay Continuum’ transforms Odisha’s clay heritage into a compelling visual journey for art lovers.
