Report by OD bureau, Bhubaneswar : A meeting was held under the  chairmanship of Mr. Maheswar Mohanty, Minister Tourism, Culture, P&C at his Secretariat chamber to discuss for successful organization of international art & craft exchange programme to be held from 13th October to 19th November-2012 at the heritage village Raghurajpur, Puri.

Mr. Mohanty told that the Raghurajpur international Art & Craft exchange is an opportunity for contemporary artist to exchange ideas  and skills with the traditional crafts people of Odisha, India. During the 5 week exchange artists from around the world will have the opportunity to study with master craftsman and learn traditional skills such as Palm leaf craving, stone and wood carving, Pata chitra and tassar painting paper macs making, cow dung toy making, Ganjapa Playing card making as well  as performance dance as Gotipua Dance, Odissi, Naga, Durga, Horse ad  fire dance. An in-depth study of ancient time Erotica art which is of significant importance in Indian cultural history also offered there. This knowledge and these traditional artists will share their ideas about contemporary art work. In exchange the international artists will share their ideas about contemporary art with the villagers who can incorporate this ideas in to their traditional art.

Principal Secretary Sri Ashok Tripathy told that weekly cultural programme will be held to display and present the creative result of this artists exchange, interaction and collaboration is encouraged Raghurajpur includes numerous display and performance spaces including an outdoor amphitheater a river, ponds, jungle and groves of ancient trees. 35 international artists will be selected to participate in RIACE-2012 from country like Australia, Italy, USA,  UK, Ireland, Canada, South Africa, Dubai and London.

It may mention here that 12 nos of National awardees, Dharmapada awardee including Padmabibhusana Kelucharan Mohapatra belongs to this heritage village Raghurajpur. Everyday research scholars from various parts of universe visit this village. 120 families of this heritage village Raghurajpur are involved in various visual and performance art.

Director tourism Sri H.S. Upadhaya, Director Culture, Sri Sushil Das, MP Sri Pinaki Mishra, Tourist Officer Puri Sri Bijoy Jena, DCO Sri P.K. Samantra, Information Officer Sri Barada Das, President RIACE Sri Pravat Prusty, Director Handicrafts, Sarapanch of village and other members of festival committee were present in the meeting.

One day stage performance will be presented by the foreign artists with the inauguration of an international journal at Jayadev Bhawan on 12th Novemebr-2012 at 10 AM as told by organizer RIACE. All above  programme will attract the tourist.