Bhubaneswar: Pattachitra, Odisha’s famous traditional artwork will be in full display when it is showcased during world’s biggest public art event, the 22nd edition of Elephant Parade, scheduled to be held for the first time in India this year.
Buoyed up by the opportunity to showcase the age-old artwork of the state, artists are very excited about the global event.
Pranab Narayan Das, a Pattachitra artist from Puri is all set to make his artwork shine with his beautiful ‘Krishna Hati’, a baby elephant sculpture adorned with rich colours and creativity which showcases the legends and important life events of Lord Krishna.
“So far it took me more than a month to almost complete the artworks and now I am giving final touches. Few others have also assisted me in creating the piece,” Pranab Narayan Das told OTV.
This year’s Elephant Parade is the 22nd edition of the global art event organised by Elephant Family, an NGO to raise awareness and funds for the need for conserving elephants.
In order to make the event successful, Elephant Parade India has engaged leading Indian artists, fashion designers, design institutes, tribal painters & celebrities to turn 101 elephant sculptures into unique masterpieces to be exhibited in Indian cities between November this year and March 2018.
The main event will be held in Mumbai followed by an auction of the top selected sculptures in London to generate funds for securing 101 elephant corridors across India for the endangered Asian elephants who face the risk of displacement through fragmentation of habitat and human disturbances.
Elephant parade considered as the largest public art fair has been a noble attempt to celebrate one of the most beloved and endangered animals on land.
The last Elephant Parade in London, which took place in 2010, became London’s biggest public art exhibition with more than 250 brightly painted elephants located across central London. With an audience of 25 million, the campaign raised over £4 million for the endangered Asian elephant.