In Indian artist village, every home is a gallery
Raghurajpur is a heritage-listed village in Odisha state known for its ancient arts and crafts such as pattachitra, a traditional cloth-based scroll painting
Cows amble, boys race each other on bicycles and laundry dries in the searing afternoon sun against the intricately adorned backdrop of Raghurajpur, where emerald papier-mâché parrots, hand-painted wooden toys and masks of animals and gods brighten the shaded verandas. Even the houses here are colourful – canvasses for vibrant murals depicting epic scenes from ancient mythology.
A village of about 120 houses in Odisha state, in eastern India, Raghurajpur feels like an open-air art gallery. Many of its residents are skilled artists or artisans and talent is cultivated from generation to generation, youngsters helping their parents with small tasks until they too become proficient.
Since the 12th century, this small hamlet on the southern bank of the Bhargavi river, fringed by coconut, palm, betel nut and jackfruit groves, has been responsible for decorating the Jagannath Temple and the chariots of its annual Ratha Jatra festival, in the pilgrim town of Puri, 14km away.
In 2000, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage declared Raghurajpur a heritage village, and the government has since collaborated with creative organisations to foster its talents. Artists have been encouraged to paint their houses to promote their work, and the many who have won national awards for their craftsmanship display the certificates proudly on the walls of their modest homes.
