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Narayan Mahapatra - Temple Art

In the heart of the ancient city of Puri, nestled amidst the bustling streets and ancient temples, lies a quaint alley known as Chitrakar Gali, home to a vibrant community of traditional Odia artists. Amongst them, we had the fortune of interacting with an elderly artist named Narayan Mahapatra. Despite his advanced years, he carries with him a legacy that spans generations, as his family has been crafting intricate art and exquisite crafts for the temples of Odisha.

Narayan reminisces about his journey, revealing that he took his first steps into the world of art during his teenage years under the tutelage of his forefathers. "In the world of temple art, each deity is associated with specific colours. For instance, Hanuman is painted in shades of vibrant yellow, while Lord Narayana is depicted in various shades of blue," Narayan explains. "In modern times, artists often opt for bright and saturated colours, but I find solace in using earthy and lighter shades," Narayan adds, pointing out his preference for subtlety, allowing his creations to resonate with timeless elegance.

As we converse, Narayan's grandson joins us, proudly displaying his own creations carved from thin wood and adorned with his youthful strokes of paint. The torch of artistry is being passed down through the generations, preserving the rich cultural heritage of Chitrakar Gali.

Narayan's deep understanding of colour psychology is evident in his work. He associates different colours with distinct emotions. White symbolizes love and adoration (Pyar and Shraddha), while red conveys jealousy. Anger finds its expression in the stark darkness of black, while blue represents liberation, and yellow embodies peace. He encourages us to think about colours in terms of the story we want to tell and the emotions we want to convey through those stories.

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