Published By : Subrat Das | March 27, 2021 6:26 PM
Share
Two alumni of Ravenshaw College, Dr. Chittaranjan Mishra, former Associate Professor of English and Dr.Ajaya Mishra who has retired as Associate Professor of Odia had a conversation about their post retirement life. Chittaranjan has been writing poetry since his adolescence and has emerged as a bilingual poet and critic while Ajaya has devoted his time in cultural studies and research. After superannuation Ajay has started to build old fashioned toys out of waste materials that he had played with in his childhood. Here is an excerpt from their conversation: Chittaranjan: What makes you shift your attention from reading books to chiselling wood? Ajaya: During lockdown I was reminded of my childhood days. Children of present generation do not have the knowledge of our past. That made me revive my childhood habit of toy making after retirement. I wanted to shape old things for the present generation to know and the old generation to reinvent. {"align":"center","id":104703,"width":342,"height":314,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} Chittaranjan: Studying books and carving wood - how do you balance the two? Ajaya: Not only I’m trying to make the traditional wooden works visible but composing poems describing each item. I have tried at fusing the hardness of wood with the soft appeal of poetry. Chittaranjan: But why are you shaping bullock cart in the age of tractors, spinning wheel in the age of textile technology? Ajaya: Bullock cart, spinning wheel – they are objects of our past and tradition. They are the foundation on which our present civilization was built. Even today there are villages where motor vehicles are not able to reach. Bullock carts are the only dependable conveyance there. Every year on the occasions of Independence Day, Republic Day we refer to spinning wheel in our speeches. We have forgotten the fact that this very spinning wheel was once a powerful weapon used in our struggle for Independence. {"align":"center","id":104699,"width":377,"height":283,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} Chittaranjan: You have authored books on folk culture of Odisha. What then is the relevance of your present pursuit? Ajaya: Many words associated with folk objects get obliterated from public consciousness. The meaning of those words can be accessible only when a visual replica is at hand. For example a whole set of words in Odia are connected with ‘bullock cart’ like – chaka,akha,mahanda,pahi,juali,agakhuri,bakuli. These words are names of different parts of the structure called bullock cart. To show a small model of a cart can be more effective a tool while teaching and bringing the pupils home to traditional ways and customs. {"align":"center","id":104702,"width":344,"height":258,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} Chittaranjan: Please tell me more about the practical utility of the articles you are making these days. Ajaya: Let’s take for example ‘dhinki’ – the old style husk lever that was common in households of Odisha. Even today there are villages without supply of electricity. Since there are no rice mills the people still continue to depend on ‘dhinki’. After the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani electricity supply was disrupted in many places. To get temporary escape from heat and humidity people started using hand fans. Our children play with expensive toys inside the four walls but economically backward children are playing in the open with indigenous play things like patara chaki and sain sagadi. They are making these toys by their own hands. This helps them boost their creativity. {"align":"center","id":104698,"width":318,"height":348,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} Chittaranjan: What steps you have taken to store and preserve your products? Is there any special arrangement? Ajaya: I have installed shelves to store my works. That is my storage space. I fondly call it ‘Mishra Workshop’(Mishrashala).Usually I work on the roof. When litters pile up I transfer them to the compost bin to be used in my rooftop garden. Chittaranjan: Can this work continue as an ongoing process? I mean have you someone in mind to whom you can pass on the baton? Ajaya: I am in search of few youngsters who should possess certain skills and interact in such work. Chittranjan: You have mingled wood with words. How could the idea strike you? Ajaya: Wood is the fundamental ingredient of our living and household. I have joined wood with words of verse. I made a spinning wheel; composed a poem about that. I made a kite of leaves and described it briefly through rhymed lines. {"align":"center","id":104704,"width":242,"height":322,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":"is-style-rounded"} Chittaranjan: Have you chalked out any plan for future? Ajaya: I have planned to conduct various workshops and impart training to youngsters. I can make more of things if I get likeminded and motivated people. I’m thinking of bringing out a book containing illustrations of the miniatures I have made so far. I too plan for preparing videos along with the book. Dreams are many but time seems to be running out. {"align":"right","id":104707,"width":172,"height":204,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":"is-style-rounded"} Dr. Chittaranjan Mishra
Prameya English Is Now On WhatsApp Join And Get Latest News Updates Delivered To You Via WhatsApp
You Might Also Like
More From Related News
Mission Value & Employability: OSOU launches "DAKSHATA" to instill new era industrial skills in young minds with 10 new programs
Puri Bahuda Yatra: 3 holy chariots reach before Shree Jagannath Temple amid sea of devotees
Dharmendra launches major projects at Central University of Odisha
Naveen seeks MEA Jaishankar’s aid to rescue Odia youth abducted in Mali
Dharmendra proposes HAL–IIT Madras tie-up with Central University of Odisha to boost aerospace talent
BJD leader Lekhashree files complaint against Nilagiri MLA for derogatory remarks
Odisha CM’s public grievance hearing to be held on July 7
Odisha govt. revokes restrictions on delinked HDFC, Axis and ICICI Banks
Odisha LoP Naveen Patnaik likely to be discharged from Hospital today
“Puri Needs a Facelift”: Minister Suresh Pujari stresses upgrading infrastructure for Rath Yatra
Dharmendra Pradhan participates in ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive in Odisha’s Deogarh
Rath Yatra 2025: Sudarsan Pattnaik’s sand art tribute marks Bahuda Yatra in Puri
Bahuda Yatra 2025: Pulling of three majestic chariots begins ahead of schedule
Odisha worker death toll rises to nine in Telangana factory blast
Deep disinfection and awareness week starts across Odisha
Six arrested in Rs2 Crore jewellery theft in Odisha’s Keonjhar
Bahuda Yatra: Pahandi rituals conclude as Lord Jagannath & his siblings placed atop chariots
Odisha prepares for sacred month of Shravana; Devotees to flock Shaiva Shrines
Odisha: ASI declares Swapneswar Mahadev Temple in Khordha as ‘protected monument’
No flood threat in Odisha, Confirms Water Resources Department