FROM FORGOTTEN DOLLS TO FINE ART

Jaukandhei is back in trend with help from Keshu Das, says Shabiha Nur Khatoon from Bhubaneshwar.

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People would have remained unaware of Jaukandhei dolls, Jaukandhei wedding, Utkaliya Jhoti festival, endangered horseshoe crab, peacocks of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, the traditional Pattachitra of Lord Jagannath, ancient names like “Kosamba” for Balasore and forgotten places like Dublagadi and Triveni Tirth, if Keshu Das wouldn’t have taken the age-old artform to a different level.

Here is the inspiring story of Balasore based Keshu Das who is an ardent follower of Fakir Mohan Senapati, an eminent Odia writer. Keshau Das has dedicated his life in reviving the Baleswari-Jaukandhei, a traditional artwork. To revive, redevelop and reestablish the vanished, ignored and not-so discussed art, artists and culture of his district, he is working as a dedicated volunteer. For the past three decades, he has been working as a committed worker for the development of child art, cartoon, tribal art, sand art and Baleswari folk art.

Jaukandhei, though small, is a symbol of pride and identity for Balasore. If we let our culture sink before our eyes, what's the point of education? As an educated and responsible artist, he believes it is his duty to preserve it. The biggest takeaway is that by focusing on Jaukandhei, he has created a whole new art form—Jau Painting—which was introduced to the world of Indian fine art by Keshu Das.