DHUBRI, Feb 8 - In a three-day International Artists Residency Programme conducted here with the theme, �Art as Food, Ritual and Offering�, an eight-member international artists� team representing four nations attended the programme from February 5 to 7.
The programme was organised by the Directorate of Museums, Assam and supported by the Embassy of Brazil, New Delhi and was hosted by the District Museum Authority with the support of the district administration.
The team visited places around Dhubri which are rich in folk art and craft and took part in interactive sessions with the local craftspersons.
While showing around the art of terracotta in Asharikandi, the local artisans flaunted the unique style of Asharikandi terracotta which by now enjoys worldwide recognition. A workshop on Solapith craft form was also organised for the delegates where they interacted with the local craftspersons and got a hands on experience of the craft. The team also visited Ramraikutir Satra in Satrasal, where they were greeted with traditional Vaishnavite customs and traditions.
They also got a chance to taste the traditional Rajbongshi delicacies as a welcome gesture by the locals of Satrasal. The day-long residency programme ended with a historical tour of the heritage town led by senior journalist Bijoy Sharma followed by a workshop on weaving of Rabha textiles in a village near Gauripur.
Development Commissioner Banashree Nath also joined the group at the workshops and commented that such visits and programmes should be more frequent as �this will promote tourism in the district of Dhubri, and as a result, the unique culture and tradition of this area will be promoted all over.�
�The residency programme will indeed help the local art and craft form of Dhubri in finding a place in an international platform,� hoped Mrinmoy Das, District Museum Officer, �as their art forms get added to the ongoing exhibition at the Assam State Museum titled �Art as Food, Ritual and Offering� which further travels to Delhi and thereafter to different countries.�
Meanwhile, the delegates included visual artists Dr Angela Barbour, Hugo Fortes, weaver artist Janine Kok, multidisciplinary artist Jennifer Roseman, academician Darlen Farris-LaBar and international artists Patrica Hessel, Regina Carmona and Alai Fonseca respectively.
