Rekha Smriti Trust

in association with

SASATWA
FOUNDATION FOR ART
Organisers
About Rekha Smriti Trust

Mrs. Jaya Gaur has been active in the field of education in Azamgarh for many years and is an art
enthusiast. She takes keen interest in the development of her village, Bhopatpur and also foresees
a sustainable life in the village where the village women are self dependent. She believes that
development of women in any area results in development of the area and the future generation as
a whole. Thus, Project Pankhi sprang out of her immediate wish to work for the village and the
rural community. Being an art admirer, she feels that art plays an important role in inspiring people
and felicitating the growth of her village. Rekha Smriti Trust was founded by Mrs. Jaya Gaur in 2017.
This foundation was made with the aim of building a better community through art, craft and
design. It wants to focus on bringing about a sustainable life form in the village, introduce various
social development programmes for the betterment of the village community, touch peoples lives
through art and inspire others about community living.

About Sasatwa Foundation

Sasatwa Foundation was founded by Ms. Satyabhama Majhi in Bhubaneswar with the aim to
promote art and culture. It has been functioning since 2010. The foundation stands for the
strength, creativity and power of women. It believes in associations, collaborations and projects
related to art that not only promote female artists but also empower women in rural communities.
The foundation also works for education of children through art. It has been involved with various
community based art project that help in the development of women and children in the rural and
tribal sector.
About the
Place
About Azamgarh

Azamgarh is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Azamgarh is

situated on the bank of Tamsa River. Azamgarh is also known as land of
the sage Durvasa whose ashram was located in Phulpur tehsil, near the
confluence of Tamsa and Majhuee rivers, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north of
the Phulpur tehsil headquarters. The district consists of a series of
parallel ridges, whose summits are depressed into beds or hollows,
along which the rivers flow; while between the ridges are low-lying rice
lands, interspersed with numerous natural reservoirs. The soil is fertile,
and very highly cultivated, bearing good crops of rice, sugarcane, and
wheat and orchards of mango and guava. Maize, gram, corn, mustard
are other major crops.

About Bhopatpur

Bhopatpur is a Village in Jahanaganj Block in Azamgarh District of Uttar

Pradesh State, India. It belongs to Azamgarh Division . It is located 20
KM towards South from District head quarters Azamgarh. 296 KM from
State capital Lucknow. Azamgarh , Mau , Adari , Saidpur, Ghazipur are
the near by Cities to Bhopatpur. This Place is in the border of the
Azamgarh District and Mau District. Mau District Ranipur is East
towards this place . Also it is in the Border of other district Ghazipur .
About the
Project
Project Pankhi

Project Pankhi is a venture by Rekha Smriti Trust in association with Sasatwa foundation that aims at rural development through
community based art projects.

Project Philosophy

Art and design are powerful tools in social development as they encourage social- emotional learning and provide a platform for
people of varied abilities, cultural backgrounds and interests, to participate for a common goal which has a global appeal. An initiative
using art and creativity enables social connection and collective empowerment. Governments and people around the world are
realizing the importance of arts and culture as a sector that opens gates for employment, education and sustainability.
Project Pankhi is such an initiative that aims at social development through skill development activities in art, design and creativity to
eventually create opportunities of economic development and sustainable lifestyle for the village community.

Objectives

1. Create wall art with an aim to build social connection and develop interest in art and craft among the village community.
2. Present wall art as an initiative towards further projects of social development.
3. Connect and gather village community to motivate them for living a self-dependent lifestyle through self-employment.
4. Introduce ideas of skill development in arts and crafts for further projects for employment generation.
5. Create Children’s Park with the help of artists and village community to provide space to village kids for leisure activities.
6. Connect artists and village community for growth in skill and creativity that further contributes to social development.
7. To realize existing skills in village girls and women like stitching and embroidery and further enhance these skills with the
mentorship of artist/designer in order to create design products of market interest.
Project Plan

Role of artists for Wall Art

8 artists who are involved in the wall art section would be assisted by some village women each. Through personal interaction the
artists would help the village women brainstorm and pick up elements from their day to day life in the village. Those elements could
be directly related to art like alpana or their traditional wall art during weddings, or they could also be related to their regular
household activities like cooking or cleaning etc. The artists would further help the village women in imagining and creating forms out
of their imaginations and depicting them on walls. This project does not concentrate on artistic technique.

Role of artists for Children's Park

3 artists would build a sculptural park for children with the idea of “Education through Game”. The artists would be assisted by men
and children of the village. Children these days spend most of their leisure time in digital games. The idea of this project would be to
create artistic sculptures that involve forms and shapes that look fun and create enthusiasm in children to play together to encourage
the concept of community activity right from childhood. This sculptural park would also have elements of academic interest that help
children in learning through games.

Role of other artists

There would be 3 other artists who would be involved in photography and documentation of the complete project.
Artists
Satyabhama Majhi

Satyabhama is an artist from Bhubaneswar (Odisha) practicing in varied expressions such as

Painting, Installation art, Sculpting and Photography. Her strength is painting and she does a
lot of concepts on Growing Urbanization. Apart from that, she also undertakes many socially
relevant and much needed projects where she takes art as a medium to engage with the
community. In the past 15 years she has been working a lot with school children to help them
and their school authorities understand and indulge in creative learning processes though art
and art practices. She also works very closely with tribal communities to understand their
culture and lifestyle. She believes that her efforts are a process of developing empathy and
better relationships with nature, oneself, each other and the surroundings.

Contact : satyabhama1981@gmail.com / +91 9438731542

Sidharth Mohanty

Sidharth is an alumni of NIFT, Bangalore with more than 13 years of experience in the
apparel industry. He has worked in Delhi for several years as a designer for exports
handling buyers from Europe and Middle East. But having special love and fascination for
Indian handlooms and handicrafts he hasbeen designing for several handlooms and
handicrafts like Bomkai, Ikat, Terracotta, Bell Metal, Bamboo etc. He is also a
professional contemporary dancer/choreographer. In the recent past he has been
collaborating with artists of varied genres and from different places of the world to
create design that is of global appeal. In addition, he has also been imparting design
education to young aspiring students of premiere institutions like NIFT, KIIT , INIFD etc.

Contact : sidharthm_nift@yahoo.co.in / +91 7873490973

Artists
Pratap Chandra Jena

Pratap is a sculpture artist with graduation from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar and Post
Graduation from Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan. He is a recipient of Scholarship –
Senior Fellowship from Ministry of HRD Gov't of India -2013-15 and junior Research Fellow
from Ministry of HRD Gov't of India -1996-9. With various State and national level awards
under his collar namely the Lalit Kala Academy Scholarship award, The National Merit Award,
the Alice Boner Memorial Award etc., he has marked a dignified name for himself as a
sculpture artist. Apart from that he has participated in various symposiums and camps
nationally and internationally. He is also a guest faculty at Utkal University of Culture,
Bhubaneswar.

Contact : pratapmamu@gmail.com / +91 9437211177

Nityananda Ojha

Nityananda is a graduate in sculpture from Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar and

he did his masters from Faculty of Fina Arts, M.S University, Baroda. He has participated
in various exhibitions around the country like Orissa State Lalitkala Academy Annual
Exhibition, G.C.A.C. Annual exhibition. Kolkata, Illuminati , a solo show of sculptures and
light works at Hutesing Art Gallery, by Salvadore Ferragamo and Mercedez Benz, IPCA(Ila
Panda Contemporary Art Foundation ) Annual Show, Bhubaneswar. He has also been a
part of various camps around the country and is a recipient of several awards like Alice
Borner Memorial Award, Garhi scholarship, by Lalitkala Akademi, New Delhi, Junior
Fellowship, Department of Culture , Govt of India etc.

Contact : nttojha@gmail.com / +91 7873537302

Artists
Pinaki Ranjan Mohanty

Pinaki did his Advance Diploma in Fine Arts (Ceramic/Design) from Kala Bhavan, Visva
Bharati, Shantiniketan and Bachelors of Fine Arts (Sculpture) from B. K College of Art & Crafts,
Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar. Pinaki has done various shows and exhibitions
around the country like Group Show at M.F.Hussain Art gallery in Jamia Milia Islamia
University,New Delhi , IPCA show , Lalit kala Akademi 56th National Exhibition of Art,
Residency by Space 118 Studio , Mazagaon, Mumbai etc. His collections have been a part of
Bodhi Tree -Monestry of Art-Kolkata, Jodhpur Museum for Art,Rajasthan, 0di-Center for Art at
Badkul, Chillika etc.

Contact : pinakimohanty6@gmail.com / +91 9337435203

Priyadarsini Mohanty

Priyadarsini has done her Bachelor in Fine Art in Design from B.K. College of Art & Crafts, Utkal
University Bhubaneswar, Odisha and Master In Visual Art in Culture University, Odisha.
Priyadarsini is a freelancing artist. Participated in various National level group art exhibitions .
Participated in National and State level Artist camp. She has participated in many activities for
children organized by NGO’s. She also participated in public art and project works. Presently ,
she is working for her three paintings series : “ What next ”….. ! , “Can Emotions Be
Electronic”? and “Cuttack city through my chasma”.

Contact : priyadarsini.mohanty8@gmail.com / +91 9437511105

Artists
Nirodnalini Behera

Nirodnalini has done her Bachelor in Fine Art in Design from B.K. College of Art & Crafts, Utkal
University Bhubaneswar, Odisha and Master In Visual Art in Culture University, Odisha.
Priyadarsini s a freelancing artist. She participated in various National level group art
exhibitions and artist camps. She has participated in many activities for children organized by
NGO’s. She also participated in public art and project works. She also also participated in
State Level Women Artist Camp organised by Odisha Lalit Kala Academy of Odisha, State
Tribal Children Festival(SARAGI PHULA) organised by State Govt. of Odisha . She does
illustration of book designing for many organisations. Presently, she is an Art Teacher in
School.

Contact : nalininiru@gmail.com / +91 9437130608

Saroj Rout

Saroj Kumar Rout is an Odia artist who has a BFA in Sculpture from Utkal University of Culture
and a MFA in Ceramics from Visvabharati University, Shantiniketan. He has exhibited in
numerous Exhibitions and shows and has won the 35th Odisha State Lalit Kala Akademi Award,
2011. Saroj experimented in new forms and shapes based on the tribal motifs of the Dongria
Kondh tribe of Niyamgiri Hills. He developed several conceptual objects including cutlery based
on the triangle motif that dominates the Kondh tribe's decorations on their walls, handlooms,
earthenware and other daily objects.

Contact : sarojss2010@gmail.com / +91 7873918257

Artists
Kalyani Uday

Kalyani has done her Bachelors in Visual Arts from S. N. D. T. Women's University, Mumbai .
She has participated in various exhibitions and camps like Roof Top art gallery, Bhopal , MP ,
Maharashtra State Art Exhibition,Mumbai , MH , Artist camp, Aakar pot art , Indapur , MH ,
International Imphal art camp, Imphal, Manipur, National Spring art camp, Shrinagar public
school, Jammu & Kashmir etc. She has also given workshop to kids at various schools and has
been a part of several residencies like International performance Art festival, KIPAF, Kolkata,
National land art residency ,Gram art project and Fica art, Nagpur, International art residency
, khoj art association and gram art project etc.

Contact : kalyaniuday33@gmail.com / +91 9082410192

Aditi Bhattad

Aditi's art practice is a reflection of her personal journey and that has helped her heal in her
own life as well. Her art practice has also been a healing process for her. For Aditi, it has been a
struggle to get out of social customs and constraints. Aditi’s art expression shows her
emboldened self. This process has helped the artist not just to voice out her concerns, but has
also helped her make lifestyle changes. But this journey of healing hasn’t been smooth and not
at all over yet. It’s been full of struggles not just with those around, but also with self.

Contact : aditi.bhattad@yahoo.com / +91 8087740508

Artists
Sibdas Sengupta

Sibdas graduated from B. K College of Art & Crafts, Bhubaneswar and is pursuing his masters
from Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida. He has participated in various exhibitions, camps
and residencies , namely, Student Biennale part of Kochi Muziris biennale, Wall art
camp by Bakul Foundation and East cost Railway , Bhubaneswar, "HORIZON" Group Show
at Press Club , Bhubaneswar, " Kala-setu' Utsha foundation for contemporary art in
partnership with the Raza art foundation,2017 etc. He has also been a part of various public
events like ''PAGO" Public Art Project Gopalpur at Gopalpur ,Ganjam ,Odisha by Govt. of
Odisha, Thought Loom Public art project by Utsha foundation for contemporary art ,
Bhubaneswar and KALPANADHAM Workshop by GRAM VIKAS (NGO) with School Kankia,
Berhampur, Ganjam.

Contact : sibdassengupta61@gmail.com / +91 7377689050

Julius Das

Julius graduated from B. K College of Art & Crafts, Bhubaneswar and is pursuing his masters
from Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida. He has participated in various exhibitions, camps
and residencies , namely, Student Biennale part of Kochi Muziris biennale, Wall art
camp by Bakul Foundation and East cost Railway , Bhubaneswar, "HORIZON" Group Show
at Press Club , Bhubaneswar, " Kala-setu' Utsha foundation for contemporary art in
partnership with the Raza art foundation,2017 etc. He has also been a part of various public
events like ''PAGO" Public Art Project Gopalpur at Gopalpur ,Ganjam ,Odisha by Govt. of
Odisha, Thought Loom Public art project by Utsha foundation for contemporary art ,
Bhubaneswar and KALPANADHAM Workshop by GRAM VIKAS (NGO) with School Kankia,
Berhampur, Ganjam.

Contact : dasjulius35@gmail.com / +91 8908116112

Artists
Soumya Ranjan Lenka

Soumya is a graduate from B. K College of Art & Crafts, Bhubaneswar . He has participated in
various exhibitions, camps and residencies , namely, "Introspection" Group show Art Gallery
,Sanskruti Bhavan , Panjim ,GOA , Wall art camp by Bakul Foundation and East cost Railway
, Bhubaneswar, "HORIZON" Group Show at Press Club , Bhubaneswar. He has also been a
part of various public events like STAMP ART Project by GOVT. of Odisha an
Bakul Foundation, ''PAGO" Public Art Project Gopalpur at Gopalpur ,Ganjam ,Odisha
by Govt. of Odisha, Thought Loom Public art project by Utsha foundation for
contemporary art etc.

Contact : soumyaranjan1915@gmail.com / +91 8339868689

Biswajit Sahani

Biswajit is a Bachelors in Apllied Arts from B.K College of Art and Crafts, Bhubaneswar. He has
participated in various seminars and workshops like Design seminar and workshop on textile
design in B.k college of art & crafts , a group exhibition named waggery held at Chitrabithi
gallery , Art exhibition of Shraddhanjali at Lalit Kala Academy in photography, Barbil art project
III , a group exhibition named Kalpana held at Lalit Kala Academy etc.

Contact : biswajit.sahani@outlook.com / +91 9777070033

About artists
and community
Artists and Community

Artists can play an important role in building strength and connection in

communities. Art and artists shouldn’t be restricted only to museums
and galleries, they should be everywhere around us. Art enriches our
lives and brings people together. Everyone in the society has the
creativity and imagination to build a healthier and stronger society and
livelihood.

All the artists involved in this project have been a part of various
community art projects where they have worked with people not only
to create works of display but also to channelize the power of
community for larger good.
The People

Artists
Project Organiser
Mrs. Jaya Gaur Children’s Park
Mr. Pratap Jena
Project Head Mr. Nityananda Ojha
Ms. Satyabhama Majhi & Mr. Sidharth Mohanty Mr. Pinaki Mohanty

Project Conceptualisation and Coordination

Ms. Satyabhama Majhi Wall Art
Ms. Priyadarsini Mohanty
Project Planning and Management Ms. Nirodnalini Behera
Mr. Sidharth Mohanty Mr. Saroj Rout
Ms. Kalyani Uday
Post Documentation & Content Writing Ms. Aditi Bhattad
Mr. Sibdas Sengupta

Photography and Videography

Mr. Julius Das & Mr. Biswajit Sahani