Three Odia Artists To Get National Recognition

Three Odia Artists To Get National Recognition

Pattachitra is almost a thousand year old art and it is one of the most famous crafts of Odisha. It has provided livelihood for numerous artists for generations. Now, pattachitra artist Swapna Manjari Nayak of Bhawanipur, Puri has been recognised for her contribution to the art and has been nominated for the National Handicraft Award. 

Along with Nayak, Susanta Kumar Das of Jajpur district (stone carving) and Bijaylaxmi Swain of Puri (palm leaf engraving) have also been nominated. The award consists of a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, one shawl, a certificate and a tamrapatra.

Swapna Manjari Nayak is the daughter of artist Adyaguru Maga Nayak of Nayak Patna in Chandanpur. She has achieved fame by etching manuscripts from Krishana’s birth till Mahabharat on palm leaf. She has been practicing pattachitra for the past 19 years.

The National Handicraft Award was instituted in 1965 and is conferred on 33 artists in recognition of their outstanding contribution for the development of handicrafts. The award is aimed to promote and encourage crafts and artists.