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Writer's pictureArijit Bose

Raghurajpur’s Chitrakaar’s spread art for a living

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Intricate artwork of a Chitrakaar


At first glance Raghurajpur is as modest as it can be with the old and the fast paced coexisting with equal elan and ease.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life are colourful creations that showcase the hardwork and toil of a nearly 300 chitrakaars who live and work in this Puri district.

From Barfi pink, bright blue, among others it is a riot of colours from close quarters.

Amidst living mortals are paintings of gods and goddesses.

Raghurajpur a strong bastion of the artistic, and creative have been handed over these skills over generations.

It is a tightly knit group which lives in 100 or so painted households. Many temples here are dedicated to Hindu Gods . Worship and art both peacefully coexist.

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A Chitrakaar at work


Chitrakaars are most famous among Raghurajpur artists. There work primarily revolves around Jagannath and lord Krishna. The ancient art of pattachitra has its roots in the 12th century.

Both men and women learn art of designing and executing pattachitra paintings from parents and grandparents. Many have been awarded as well.

Among the other notable works of the village artists are intricate palm leaf folded pictures etched in black with cutouts, delicate brushwork on tussar silk, stone and woodcarvings.

Special studios and exhibition space add a third dimension to the rural space.

Raghurajpur is known for the late Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra. Kelu Charan became renowned as the leading proponent of Odissi dance.

Rising the ladders of fame Raghurajpur is now a heritage village.

Since 2000, INTACH ICCI, NORAD, India Foundation for the Arts, Bangalore and Government of India, Orissa, worked together to develop Raghurajpur as a craft’s village.

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Beauty on the walls


Ever since Raghurajpur was chosen as a heritage village, many more tourists, from India and abroad, have come to admire their art.

Raghurajpur has been included in ideal crafts village scheme and online sources state the Center has sanctioned Rs 100 million for overall development of the village.

While not many know of Raghurajpur, it definitely is a national treasure which will cherish the fruit of artistic brilliance.

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