The Story Of Sakshi

Sakshi was tall, slim with fairly wheatish complexion. She had long hair extending till her waistline. She had black, attractive, expressive eyes. Sakshi was a skilled 'pattachitra' painter and was based out of Raghurajpur.

     

Ragurajpur is a village surrounded by grooves of coconut, palm, mango and jackfruit close to the famous pilgrimage site 'Puri' in Orissa. 'Patta' means canvas and 'chitra' means picture. 'Pattachitra' is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of Orissa.

Painting through the Pattachitra art was being practised across several generations of the Sahoo family. Biren Babu, Sakshi's father was a skilled pattachitra painter himself. Biren Babu now had a sagging skin, skinny frame and wore spectacles. As Biren Babu was ageing rapidly, he was unable to focus on the marketing and commercial aspects associated with the sale of the paintings.

      

The Sahoo family could often be seen preparing a mixture of chalk and gum as the basic starting point for creating the painting. This was then being painted over a piece of cloth known as the 'Patta'. Over the prepared surfaces colourful and intricate pictures of various Gods and Goddesses were often painted. The pictures would often depict stories from ancient mythological folklore and was decorated with flowers, trees and animals. Paintings were created on silk sarees, wall hangings, bags, door hangings and umbrellas.

            

Just like Biren Babu, Sakshi was adept in the skill of Pattachitra painting. She would be often be seen applying her skill to create innovative artefacts. Sakshi was planning to sell her paintings in Puri in the month of June as she had been practising for the past few years.

            

As planned earlier, Sakshi boarded a bus from Raghurajpur to Puri. She stayed in a lodge that had been booked by her earlier. It was the time when the biggest festival of India - the Jagannath Puri rath yatra was being celebrated in Puri. The famous Jagannath Rath Yatra is a festival dedicated to 'Lord Jagannath' or 'Lord Krishna', his wife 'Subadhra' and his elder brother 'Balram'.

                 

 Sakshi's lodge was in a place that was in close proximity to the Yatra site. The yatra witnessed a sea of humanity offer their respects to Lord Jagannath. A massive 18 wheeled chariot made the way through the massive crowds. As Sakshi watched the yatra, she was submerged in the festive spirit. She marvelled at the 'Maya' of the divine Lord.

      

After having had a glimpse of Lord Janaardan, Sakshi returned to her lodge. She had an early dinner that comprised of puri and bhaji. Sakshi had a tele-conversation with the Sales Head of the Orissa State Handloom emporium. Sakshi had been displaying her paintings and artefacts in the Emporium since the past few years.

               

Next morning at the break of dawn, Sakshi woke up. She had fresh lime water early in the morning. Her breakfast consisted of fresh sooji upma. She wore a peacock blue saree teamed up with a matka necked blue and black choli. Sakshi looked charming. She adorned herself with classic silver jewellery. The Orissa State Handloom emporium had some of the finest handloom sarees, Sambhalpuri sarees, wall hangings, and traditional jewellery. Sakshi met the sales head of the handloom emporium, Mr Biswaas. After a brief conversation with Mr Biswaas, Sakshi engaged in unloading her paintings from the transport vehicle.

      

While she was placing her paintings in the Emporium, Sakshi noticed a tall man with dense black hair, narrow nose and sharp features arrive in the emporium with two other men who seemed to be his friends. The young man happened to be a man named 'Rajib' who was accompanied by his friends Kishore and Aalekh. He was in Puri this year along with his friends to witness the Jagannath Rath Yatra. 

         

Rajib was a businessman based out of Mumbai. He had a large showroom of Indian ethnic wear in Linking Road in Mumbai. Kalamkari Sarees, Lucknowi Chicken dress materials, Phulkari Suits, Kantha work sarees and dress materials, Kanjiwaram sarees, Sambhalpuri sarees, Bandhani sarees, Patola sarees, block printed dress materials and sarees were some of the kinds of ethnic wear that were sold in his store in Mumbai.

   

Rajib wore traditional clothing that day. He was dressed in a cream coloured kurta and a white gamchaa. Rajib noticed Sakshi conversing with Mr Biswaas. Rajib was negotiating the price of a painting that he had selected from the emporium. As Rajib was closing the negotiation, he happened to watch Sakshi. He felt attracted to her. Rajib introduced himself to Sakshi as a businessman based out of Mumbai. He suggested that maybe Sakshi could join him for tea in the evening at the Wildgrass restaurant in Puri.

      

That evening Sakshi and Rajib met in the Wildgrass restaurant in Puri. They ordered for two cardamon teas, two Malpuas and Channa poda. Malpuas are prepared with fresh flour, bananas, cardamom, coconut, milk and fennel seeds. Channa poda is prepared with fresh cottage cheese and caramelized sugar.

   

They discussed the weather and climate in Ragurajpur and Mumbai. Rajib appreciated the creative streak in Sakshi's paintings. He felt that she was gifted. While Sakshi was touched by Rajib's humility and straightforwardness. They exchanged their contact details with each other.

      

Rajib flew from Puri to Mumbai in an Indigo airlines flight. After reaching Ragurajpur, Sakshi stepped up with her responsibilities as a dutiful daughter. She devoted her energies to the creation of the paintings and taking care of Biren Babu. She spoke to her friend Poornima who stayed close to her place. Sakshi told Poorrnima about her visit to Puri and the subsequent meeting with Rajib.

     

 As seasons changed and time went by, soon it was Monsoon time. Everything including the harsh Indian light was beautifully softened by the monsoon. Vines, creepers and bamboo started erupting in the underlying vegetation. Unfazed by the changes of weather and the passage of time, Sakshi continued to be the lifeline of her family. Biren Babu now required greater care and support. Sakshi was now completely handling the creation and marketing of paintings.  

      

Sakshi had meetings with Sales managers of State Emporiums based out of Bhubaneswar, Kolkata and Delhi once a month. Rajib too was occupied with expanding his Business in some other suburbs of Mumbai. Rajib called Sakshi once a few months. Their conversation that lasted for a few minutes instilled hope for the future. During one such conversation, Rajib invited Sakshi to Mumbai.

      

After a period of two years since their first meeting, Rajib met Sakshi at the Coffee House in Mumbai in the month of September. Rajib congratulated Sakshi for having successfully created a brand name for her Pattachitra paintings. Rajib said that he was proud that Sakshi had single-handedly marketed her brand in Bhubaneswar, Kolkatta, Delhi and Mumbai. Sakshi did not have wide exposure and was struggling to make ends meet. He lauded her efforts. Rajib said that he would consider himself fortunate to have her in his life.

         

Thus, was set the story of Sakshi's - a lady with a modest upbringing who decided to carve a path for herself. Sakshi toiled hard. She managed to create the 'Sakshi' brand for her Patachitra paintings. How many Sakshis are able to fulfil their dreams? Let us all help all such Sakshis to manifest their dreams.