In this age of web page and multimedia, the traditional palm leaf art is on the verge of extinction. The reason can be attributed to shortage of raw materials and apathetic attitude of the authorities towards the palm leaf artisans.
Shortage of palm leaf coupled with stiff competition from practitioners of modern art and craft have pushed the palm leaf artisans to the brink. “The centuries-old craft was once the cynosure of art lovers. But, due to lack of patronage and marketing facility, it is dying a slow death,” said Narahari Nayak (65), a palm leaf artisan of Damarpur village.
Though there is a long-standing demand for conservation and promotion of palm leaf art, no step has been taken so far to give the art a much needed fillip. Palm leaf art is mostly dominated by mythological themes.
Epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat were also depicted on palm leaves. Gradually local legends and folklore too found their way into the paintings. Horoscopes are traditionally written on palm leaves by professionals known as ‘nahaks’. But, the palm leaf art is steadily losing its market.
“Some of us, who are still practising the art, are doing so only to keep the tradition alive. Otherwise, one cannot make both ends meet in this profession,” Manamohan Nayak, an artisan of Garadapur. There are over 50 families around Kendrapara who still practise the art.
Of late, many palm leaf artisans have switched over to other professions. “Two years back, the officials of District Industry Office (DIC) had promised to help us to promote the craft. But the officials are yet to take any step,” said Raghunath Nayak (52), an artisan of Madanpur.