This publication for the first time focuses on a local art tradition in Orissa, vividly documented and substantiated with visuals. The archaic cult of Jagannatha that upholds Oriya nationalism and claims to be the central focus of Orissan art and culture mirrors in this study with an extra tinge of local flavour – the essence of this book. The readers will discover a socio-religio-cultural structure supporting an art tradition in the Jagannatha temple of Dharakote, a remote princely town in South Orissa. When a large number of Jagannatha temples in Orissa are languishing under want of patronage, such a study highlights the importance and need of documentation which has been painstakingly undertaken by the author. The architecture, sculptures, paintings and rituals of the Jagannatha temple of Dharakote provide an insight into the cult embedded in the glorious Orissan tradition. This insight in fact is the model for further study and research in different geographical units. With growing concern for regional and local researches, this publication has national relevance as an art historical and art ethnological study.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dinanath Pathy
Dinanath Pathy, is a practising contemporary painter, writer and art historia. Designed and curated International Exhibitions-Indian Popular Art in Sweden and USSR for Festival Orissan Festival in Indonesia. Acted as Commissioner, Director and Jury for prestigious International events like, 7th Triennale India, 4th Cairo Biennale, National Contemporary Art Exhibition etc. Co-author to Dr. Eberhard Fischer for publications-Orissa Kunst and Kulture in Nordost Indien, 1980, Die Perlenkette Dem Geliebten Elf illustrierte Palmblatter Zur Rasika Haravali, 1990, Murals for goddesses and Gods-The Tradition of Osakothi Ritual Paintings in Orissa, 1996. Illustrated Childern books for Unicef, New York in collaboration with Eberhard and Barbara Fischer. Author of Traditional Paintings of Orissa, Essence of Orissan Paintings, Painted Icons and Mural Paintings in Orissa. Exhibited in India and in Zurich, Japan, Indonesia, Sweden, Moscow, China and London. Awarded President of India Silver Plaque for Painting, A.L. Basham Memorial Awarded President of India Silver Plaque for Painting, A.L. Basham Memorial Award for Research, Sahitya Akademi Award for Creative Writing, and Certificate of Honour in 98 International China Art Expo. Recipient of British Council Fellowship, Nehru Trust, Victoria & Albert Museum Fellowship, Japan Foundation Fellowship and BEF Foundation, Zurich Fellowship. Held important assignments-Curator of Art and Crafts, Orissa State Museum, Founder Principal, B.K. College of Art and Crafts, Bhubaneswar and Secretary, Lalit Kala akademi, New Delhi. Now working on "Renewal Art-The Indian Tradition with specific reference to the work of Citrakaras in Orissa" on a Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowsship.
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