Veteran painter Banshidhar Pratihary shares traditional techniques in Bhubaneswar
Eminent fine artist Banshidhar Pratihary shared his decades of expertise in tempera and wash painting during the 295th Meet the Artist programme in Bhubaneswar. JD Centre of Art hosted this engaging session at its Nayapalli camp office on Saturday. Art students, academics, and researchers gathered to interact with the 95-year-old master painter. Pratihary trained deeply in the Santiniketan tradition between 1952 and 1958. During those years, legendary figures like Nandalal Bose and Dhiren Krishna Deb Barman directly guided his creative process.
Exploring classical roots
Attendees listened closely as Pratihary detailed his techniques in watercolour, woodcut printmaking, and batik. He explained how ancient Ajanta frescoes heavily influenced his style. Classical Odishan temple architecture from Konark, Lingaraj, and Mukteshwar also shaped his artistic vision. This unique blend of Bengal school techniques with Odishan structural heritage created a distinct visual language that remains celebrated across India. His notable creations include Meera in wash painting, Aradhana of Parvati in tempera, and Lady with Parakeet on beautiful 22-carat gold foil.
Empowering rural craftsmen
Working as a Senior Artist for the Bihar government until 1988, Pratihary significantly impacted tribal artisans. He provided fresh designs for Madhubani art, Dhokra crafts, and appliqué work. Many artisans utilizing his designs later secured prestigious State and National Awards.
Recognition followed Pratihary throughout his career. His famous tempera piece, Radha, won the Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi Award in 1972. Former President Giani Zail Singh even purchased his 1980 Bihar State Award-winning batik creation, Durga. Recently, he received the esteemed Dharmapada Award in 2023 for his dedication to Indian arts.
Padma Bhushan awardee Jatin Das founded the JD Centre of Art in 1997 to preserve such rich cultural traditions. The institution now houses over 9,000 global artefacts, keeping traditional art forms accessible for future generations.
