Bokaro: In a vibrant celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage, Delhi Public School, Bokaro, hosted a unique hands-on workshop, ‘Chitranjali’, on Saturday, introducing students to the intricate world of Paitkar painting, one of Jharkhand’s oldest and most treasured folk art forms.
Held under the school’s Experiential Learning Programme, the workshop featured renowned folk artist Vijay Chitrakar from the Amadubi Panijia Rural Tourism Centre in East Singhbhum as guest faculty. Widely respected for his work in promoting and preserving Paitkar art at the national level, Chitrakar led students through an immersive session that combined storytelling, natural colour-making, and traditional painting techniques.
Paitkar painting, often created on scrolls or cloth, is a visual narrative style rooted in tribal folklore, nature, mythology, and village life. Students learned to prepare colours from natural materials like river stones, turmeric, native leaves, and flowers such as putus, and discovered how organic adhesives are used to preserve these ancient artworks.
The workshop became a living cultural experience as Chitrakar narrated stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Santali legends, bringing tradition to life with each brushstroke. His integration of music into the painting process added an extra layer of creativity, turning the session into an engaging blend of learning and fun.
Applauding the school’s initiative, Chitrakar said, “This is more than just painting—it’s preserving a cultural memory. If children learn to value it now, they’ll carry it forward.”
Under his mentorship, students created their own Paitkar-inspired artworks, which were later displayed in a vibrant exhibition that showcased the harmony of tradition and youthful imagination.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Dr. A. S. Gangwar emphasized the importance of such initiatives, noting, “Indian traditional art forms are gaining global recognition. Preserving them is crucial not just for our culture, but for future generations to connect with our rich heritage. Our students must become the torchbearers of this legacy.”
He added that empowering students through experiential learning and artistic freedom would help build a deeper appreciation for India’s diverse cultural tapestry.
