Odisha CM opens Purvasha Folk and Tribal Art Museum for tourists

Bhubaneswar, Dec 9 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday inaugurated Purvasha Folk and Tribal Art Museum, set up at Barkul near Chilika, for tourists from the state secretariat here.

Inaugurating the museum, Patnaik said that it will play a significant role in promoting, protecting and projecting Odisha's cultural heritage on a global platform.

He also launched the website of ODIART Centre.

"Art is the manifestation of our finer sensibilities. Culminating from the core of our heart, it gives our inner self an identity. It is not about shape or colours, it is all about our dreams, struggle, pursuits and soul searching that give a different meaning to our life," said Patnaik.

Dwelling on the state's rich cultural and artistic heritage, he said: "We have experts and practitioners of various forms of art and crafts in our state. Our traditional, folk, classical and contemporary dance and music forms, and our tribal dance and songs speak of our rich heritage and cultural identity.

"Our unique handicrafts, silver and filigree works, terracotta, pottery, golden grass and cane works, applique, horn works, stone and wood carvings have brought us glory from all over the world."

The Society for Development of Rural Literature has been set up to promote the cultural heritage of Odisha, and it has also has a documentation and Research Centre, which is organising a Folk Carnival to showcase the state's culture.

The Tribal Art Museum, which has 16 galleries, has been constructed by ODIART. It features Odisha's traditional art such as "Mukha", "Pattachitra", "Manjapa card painting", and "Chandua" (canopies).

Apart from the museum, there is a theatre for dance and dance dramas and library 'Prafulla' on the premises of the building.