Artists From Odisha Etch Their Names On Guinness World Records

Artists From Odisha Etch Their Names On Guinness World Records

In an international online painting competition organized by the Guinness World Records, a clutch of artists from Odisha managed to etch their names in it. The competition named ‘I Dare To Dream’  was based on ‘most photos of people painting uploaded to Facebook in one hour’ which was 797.

The record was achieved online through Facebook, on 2nd May, 2021 organized by Radart Foundation and  IARF (India). The organisers of this record, Mayank Vyas (India) and Dr. Mahima Gupta (USA), attempt to work with artists. Since many public spaces such as galleries were shut during the global pandemic, they decided to attempt a record title that meant artists could showcase their work in an online setting. 

Reportedly, 1149 posts were made to the online event of whom 900 were Indians from across 26 states. Finally, 797 were found accurate as per the guidelines for breaking the World Guinness Records title. 

Those from Odisha were noted pattachitra artist Rabindra Kumar Moharana, Ashok Pattanaik and Mahek Agrawall from Bhubaneswar; Kritikrishna Panda and Snehashish Panda from Bhadrak; Nilamani Jena and Mahali Das from Puri; Arnab Asutosh Pradhan from Sambalpur; Mahendra Nath Dandapat from Baripada; Manoj Kumar Patra from Karanjia; Jyoshna Rani Nanda from Rourkela; and Dr Sucheta Praiyabadini from Ganjam.

The contest got into the Guinness World Records a fortnight later as the artists uploaded all pictures on Facebook in one hour, which totalled up to 797.

Speaking to one of the participants of the record-breaking contest, Mahek Agarwall, informed, “I came across the poster on social media and expressed my desire to be a part of it. So I got an invitation to participate in the contest and I found it interesting. A total of 797 paintings were uploaded in the final round. There were some technical glitches while uploading but thankfully I was successful after several attempts.“

“Oil and water based paintings like oil, acrylic and watercolor painting were included. I painted the lucky ‘seven galloping horses’ along with a bright sun, which brings in good luck, prosperity and auspiciousness. It was an oil painting. I am earnestly waiting for my certificate to come now,”she added.

A passionate artist, Mahek has won several awards for her beautiful art and brought laurels to the state.