Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Friday inaugurated a three-day national artists’ camp, ‘Neela Shaila’, in Puri, bringing together 42 eminent painters, including Padma awardees and national- and state-level award-winning artists, to showcase the rich culture and traditions of Lord Jagannath through their artworks.
SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, along with members of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee and servitors, attended the inaugural ceremony and encouraged the participating artists.
The artists’ camp aims to provide a platform for renowned painters from across the country to express their creativity through artworks inspired by Lord Jagannath and the cultural heritage associated with the temple.
Speaking to reporters, Padhee said the administration had invited 42 eminent painters to participate in the three-day camp, although a few could not attend due to various reasons.
“We are grateful to all the artists who have joined the camp. We expect their creations to be masterpieces reflecting the rich culture and traditions of Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu,” he said.
Padhee said the paintings created during the camp would be exhibited in Puri, Bhubaneswar and other parts of the country to take the cultural legacy of Lord Jagannath beyond Srikhetra.
The SJTA also plans to compile the artworks into a coffee-table book after the conclusion of the camp, he added.
Several eminent dignitaries, including ministers, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, the Gajapati Maharaja and the chairperson of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, are expected to visit the camp and encourage the participating artists, Padhee said.
