Gopalpur art fest video is the only excuse you need to visit this beach town of Odisha

Flora Published On : Apr 5, 2018 at 2:22 PM Updated On : Apr 5, 2018 at 2:55 PM

Bhubaneswar: Gopalpur is all set to host PAGo (Public Arts in Gopalpur) on April 14 and 15 to promote the maritime and ecological history of this beach town of Odisha.

The town that once had a thriving trade relationship with the then Burma, during the British rule, has lost its sheen over years.

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To integrate the glorious heritage of the place with art, PAGo intends to rope in local and international artists and showcase the native art forms and rich cultural traditions of Gopalpur and Ganjam.

In a step towards this direction, the Berhampur Development Authority, in association with Odisha Tourism, released a spectacular video to popularize Gopalpur as an art town and eco-retreat hub, on the occasion of National Maritime Day, today.

“Every old building there has a history, a story to tell. Many of them have not been documented till date. Therefore, PAGo was started as a sort of a renaissance to celebrate the history of the place with contemporary art and culture,” said Sophia Simon, the founder of Detour Odisha, makers of the video.

The Gopalpur coastline near the famed light house will be dotted with about 7-8 art installations, curated by Bakul Foundation. From art installations to mural paintings, folklore and cultural programmes are part of the itinerary of this two-day fest. Workshops on sand casting and clay modelling, art and photo contests on maritime themes are other attractions of the second edition of this fest this year.

PAGo, (derived from the name of an appetiser of mixed condiments of the Odia gastronomical plate), saw a myriad of incredible art installations on the beach last year, including a 20 feet long iron and plastic version of Belaguntha brass fish, 500 Olive Ridley turtle art pieces by Biswaranjan Kar, public art on beach embankment and heritage site walls, revival of other cultural elements such as Baagha Naacha and Ganjapa playing cards and even the ecological spirit of the locals of Aska to judiciously protect endangered blackbucks in the area.