Greatness.
William Shakespeare has said- "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
I say those who achieve greatness personify the #madeofgreat category. Such people enter the greatness league by being driven from within, through practice, sincerity, dedication and hard-work. Artist Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra comes in this category.
He is a simple, humble, highly talented artist from Basudeipur, Odisha. He has been practising the Pattachitra art since the last thirty years and has been a prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi Awardee.
I got a chance to meet this down-to-earth artist at Basudeipur, enroute the heritage village of Raghurajpur, Puri district, Odisha, early this year.
He had then recently been felicitated by the Odisha Government,
as his silk tussar painting 'Tree of Life' had been presented by Indian Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi, to the French President Francois Hollande. This is indeed a matter of great pride for Odisha and India!
When we asked about his home location, everyone knew and simply pointed ahead. So we reached the sacred place:
There we interacted a lot with him, met his family too and saw all of his various arts and crafts. We were spellbound.
We could find many different vaieties of 'Tree of Life' paintings too. Two are in above photo and another below:
We also spotted the recent felicitation award, which he was almost not talking about! Yet as we knew, we expressed how proud we were of him and that he should always continue producing masterpieces of art. He smiled.
He explained the process of making Pattachitra, how it is now becoming so commercial with use of cheap artificial colors- as people are not willing to pay the price for natural colors. Still, he said, he keeps the customer's needs in mind and produces stunning work as per their need. The paintings he showed us simply took our breath away:
He is #madeofgreat not because of producing great arts, but due to his golden heart. His love for the arts, his passion to let the art continue (he is training his daughters to be expert artists) in its original form, his dedication in doing any work assigned to him to the best of his ability- all this shows he is #madeofgreat. While many artists turn commercial and greedy, here is one award winning artist who wants to preserve and perpetuate the art in its pure, unadulterated form.
This soft-spoken, unassuming artist has held workshops worldwide and travelled to so many countries. Yet he remains firmly rooted.
Moreover, he is open to new challenges. He shared how some people suggested him to make Krishna Radha play cricket in the pattachitra painting in one of his workshops! He accepted the idea, yet had been unable to work on it due to pre-occupation with Rath Yatra work. (Nabakalebara Rath Yatra was just few months away at that time) This is important- to try blending some modern elements as well to make the art go worldwide!
He shared how in the absolute heat he was painting the Malatipatapur Bus Stand which was made newly for Nabakalebara Rath Yatra and how he was being called to paint entire walls of temples with Pattachitra. He had to stay at the temple for days together and complete the work, mostly working continuously, staying away from home.
When I requested that could he make few 'Tree of Life' paintings for my office, he agreed despite being burdened with work and himself gave a longer deadline. When he finished it, he came himself to deliver it and now it proudly adorns my office room:
#madeofgreat means being punctual, professional, ready for challenges and having zeal from within to deliver the best and always exceed expectations. Excelling becomes a habit for them. Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra personifies all of this and has had a great influence on me as well.
Greatness is a journey, not the destination. Only others can recognise it- the #madeofgreat will never know it. That is the essence of #madeofgreat.
Always proud of Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra. May Odisha, India and the world be blessed with more such #madeofgreat talented artists who can perpetuate eco-friendly arts and crafts so that the planet thrives and humanity lives on!
**This is my entry for #madeofgreat conducted by Tata Motors and Indiblogger.
Also linking to letter S of ABC Wednesday (simple, silk, sacred, spellbound, smiled, stunning, shared, staying) and to Wordless Wednesday #108
William Shakespeare has said- "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
I say those who achieve greatness personify the #madeofgreat category. Such people enter the greatness league by being driven from within, through practice, sincerity, dedication and hard-work. Artist Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra comes in this category.
 |
| Source here: http://formsofdevotion.org/artist/bhaskar-mahapatra/ |
He is a simple, humble, highly talented artist from Basudeipur, Odisha. He has been practising the Pattachitra art since the last thirty years and has been a prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi Awardee.
I got a chance to meet this down-to-earth artist at Basudeipur, enroute the heritage village of Raghurajpur, Puri district, Odisha, early this year.
He had then recently been felicitated by the Odisha Government,
 |
| Source: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=58659 |
as his silk tussar painting 'Tree of Life' had been presented by Indian Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi, to the French President Francois Hollande. This is indeed a matter of great pride for Odisha and India!
When we asked about his home location, everyone knew and simply pointed ahead. So we reached the sacred place:
 |
| At entrance to the awarded artist's home |
 | ||
| Different paper-mache masks...very colorful, eco-friendly and unique! |
 |
| Upcycling of bottles and tin boxes - they are painted gorgeously to make brand new looking, beautiful products! Blessing for Mother Earth! |
We could find many different vaieties of 'Tree of Life' paintings too. Two are in above photo and another below:
We also spotted the recent felicitation award, which he was almost not talking about! Yet as we knew, we expressed how proud we were of him and that he should always continue producing masterpieces of art. He smiled.
He explained the process of making Pattachitra, how it is now becoming so commercial with use of cheap artificial colors- as people are not willing to pay the price for natural colors. Still, he said, he keeps the customer's needs in mind and produces stunning work as per their need. The paintings he showed us simply took our breath away:
 |
| Krishna Leela Pattachitra Painting |
 |
| Pattachitras are intricate arts...they tell a story...Panchamukhi Ganesh at the centre is mind-blowing and story of Ganesh is drawn all around |
 |
| Intricate borders and artwork done by Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra |
 |
| Dashavatar is a common theme in Pattachitras |
 |
He is #madeofgreat not because of producing great arts, but due to his golden heart. His love for the arts, his passion to let the art continue (he is training his daughters to be expert artists) in its original form, his dedication in doing any work assigned to him to the best of his ability- all this shows he is #madeofgreat. While many artists turn commercial and greedy, here is one award winning artist who wants to preserve and perpetuate the art in its pure, unadulterated form.
This soft-spoken, unassuming artist has held workshops worldwide and travelled to so many countries. Yet he remains firmly rooted.
Moreover, he is open to new challenges. He shared how some people suggested him to make Krishna Radha play cricket in the pattachitra painting in one of his workshops! He accepted the idea, yet had been unable to work on it due to pre-occupation with Rath Yatra work. (Nabakalebara Rath Yatra was just few months away at that time) This is important- to try blending some modern elements as well to make the art go worldwide!
He shared how in the absolute heat he was painting the Malatipatapur Bus Stand which was made newly for Nabakalebara Rath Yatra and how he was being called to paint entire walls of temples with Pattachitra. He had to stay at the temple for days together and complete the work, mostly working continuously, staying away from home.
When I requested that could he make few 'Tree of Life' paintings for my office, he agreed despite being burdened with work and himself gave a longer deadline. When he finished it, he came himself to deliver it and now it proudly adorns my office room:
#madeofgreat means being punctual, professional, ready for challenges and having zeal from within to deliver the best and always exceed expectations. Excelling becomes a habit for them. Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra personifies all of this and has had a great influence on me as well.
Greatness is a journey, not the destination. Only others can recognise it- the #madeofgreat will never know it. That is the essence of #madeofgreat.
 |
| Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra was busy painting the colossal Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra idols to be delivered at Keonjhar district of Odisha for upcoming Nabakalebara at that time. Jai Jagannath! |
Always proud of Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra. May Odisha, India and the world be blessed with more such #madeofgreat talented artists who can perpetuate eco-friendly arts and crafts so that the planet thrives and humanity lives on!
**This is my entry for #madeofgreat conducted by Tata Motors and Indiblogger.
Also linking to letter S of ABC Wednesday (simple, silk, sacred, spellbound, smiled, stunning, shared, staying) and to Wordless Wednesday #108
My dear Readers, what do you think of Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi as its brand ambassador?!
ReplyDeleteDo post your views and the best comment will win Amazon voucher worth Rs.750!! :) So hurry up and do this great work to win a great prize!!
This is an amazing association by two global brands - Tata Motors and
ReplyDeleteLionel Messi. In the minds of consumers, Tata Motors is one of the most
reliable and trustworthy brand. Lionel Messi, itself, is the one of the
most talented and reliable player in the field of sports and it is an
icon for today’s youth. Thus, this association and campaign will
certainly prove very successful as it is #madeofgreat brands.
Thanks Amit!
DeleteWow! Thanks Amrita for showcasing an artist that deserves accolade of every inch in this media!!
ReplyDeletePleasure to have you...Welcome!!
Sharing it across!
Thanks a lot Ruchira for your encouragement and sharing the love! :)
DeleteLovely tapestries.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
Thanks so much ROG!
Deletewow what a post
ReplyDeleteIndeed a nicely written post. I wish you good luck for the contest
Here is my answer
The association of Tata Motors with Lionel Messi is that of two greats. Lionel Messi has been exceptionally talented who with his hard work, determination and sacrifices has got better and tougher in his chosen sport so is the Image, reputation and quality of TATA Motors that have transformed brilliant ideas into masterpieces of engineering and created a brand and products that we are so proud of as Indians. Lionel Messi has transformed his body and the mind body co-ordination into a masterpiece of precision and excellence it would not be wrong to say that Lionel Messi is the TATA Motors of sports where as TATA Motors is the Lionel Messi of vehicles both giants in their own spheres driven by the drive to excel and lead by example. So Lionel Messi is the best choice for becoming the brand Ambassador for TATA Motors
aaloke19@gmail.com
Thanks so much Alok! Nice comment! :)
DeleteYour post defines #madeofgreat to the hilt. Goodluck for the contest
ReplyDeleteMy answer is:
Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the pillars of strength on which TATA have built a brand that has put India on the global map. It is a brand that has stood the test of time just like Lionel Messi who tackles opposition on the field with his skill,agility,strategy,brilliance and raw power to reach and score a goal so has been the track record of TATA motors who has become a brand leader and a global giant. These qualities make TATA Motors and Lionel Messi perfect partners who stand for the same set of values thus Lionel Messi is the perfect brand ambassador to represent TATA Motors.
Hope my best to be a winner here; do contact me for the prize at mahima2014j@gmail.com
fingers crossed
Thanks a lot Mahima! Good comment! :)
DeleteYour post describes #madeofgreat so well that it has winner written all over it. Good luck for your entry.
ReplyDeleteHere is my answer.
Like minds think and act alike looking at the track record of TATA Motors it has stood the test of time and built a business that was built using bricks of hard work on a foundation of trust. Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the trademarks of brand TATA Motors. These same qualities are present in Lionel Messi who with his immense talent has made a mark for himself on the international football field .Facing all hardships he has worked hard toiling on the fields and in training sessions facing injuries and pressure to come out trumps and be a winner. Thus these two greats Lionel Messi and TATA Motors are made for each other .There association is a bond of two legends
In case you pick me a winner my email id is : princess09hema@gmail.com
Fingers crossed :)
Thanks so much Hemaa! Well written! :)
DeleteHi Amrita
ReplyDeleteYours is a very well written post your .Its is a very nice description of #madeofgreat
TATA Motors is a brand associated with performance, endurance and excellence. These words are also synonymous with Lionel Messi who plays as a forward and weaves his magic on the football field.Just as Lionel Messi is considered the best footballer in the world ,TATA motors which is Indias premier automotive manufacturer gives wheels to the people of India with its wide range of vehicles. Both believe in excelling in whatever they do and set examples for others to follow. They compliment each other as both are reliable trustworthy and leaders thus Lionel Messi is the natural choice as the brand ambassador of TATA Motors
yagneshbjoshi10099@gmail.com
Thanks a lot Yagnesh! Comment is good! :)
DeleteA great post. Both the art and the artist have been beautifully portrayed. This post deserves to win. Thanks for promoting odisha thru this post.
ReplyDeleteComing to the question I think when a champion footballer becomes brand ambassador for a company of Tata Motor's calibre the association only promises excellence. This excellence is certainly going to be manifested on Indian roads ere long.
pramodksahoo2003@yahoo.co.in
Thanks so much Pramod! Short & sweet comment! :)
DeleteLovely to read your post! Artist Sri Bhaskar Mahapatra is truly #madeofgreat! Excellent pictures!
ReplyDeleteMy answer:
Lionel Messi is an inspiration,
Tata Motors too shares the same passion.
Messi and Tata Motors association,
Is a super-duper combination.
Both have #madeofgreat equation,
To excel is their inclination.
In their own way they are champions,
Constantly striving for upgradations.
Recognized in many nations,
They are world-class #madeofgreat creations!
Thanks a lot Adisri! Poetry in ur comment is gr8! :)
DeleteMy email is rainbowthinker@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks Adisri!
DeleteThat is an extremely smart written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I will certainly return.
ReplyDelete