Bhubaneswar, Nov 1 : In a remarkable tribute to Odisha’s rich artistic legacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has selected a hand-painted Kalash, crafted by renowned Odia artist, Suryasnata Mohanty, to kickstart the ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra,’ an integral part of the “Meri Maati Mera Desh Maha Abhiyan.”
The ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh-Amrit Kalash Yatra’ is a nation-wide initiative undertaken to honour the sacrifices of our immortal martyrs.
Soil from the birthplaces of these martyrs is collected in Amrit Kalash, and this sacred soil is being transported to the National Martyrs Memorial in Delhi. A poignant tribute, the ‘Amrit Vatika,’ featuring a blend of soil and plants from 7,500 urns nationwide, will be established near the National War Memorial.
The hand-painted Kalash, a symbol of artistic excellence, was meticulously crafted by Suryasnata Mohanty, an accomplished artist and Joint Director at KIIT University.
Daughter of Dr. Bijoy Ku Mohanty, a revered Odia Professor, and Littérateur, and Renubala Mohanty, Suryasnata Mohanty is a gold medalist in LLM from National Law School Bangalore.
Her passion for painting has earned recognition at national exhibitions held in prestigious venues like the National Modern Art Galleries and India Habitat Centre.
Modi personally selected the Kalash painted by Suryasnata Mohanty from among thousands presented to his office, marking a historic moment for Odisha’s art community.
As the nation pays homage to its martyrs, it also acknowledges the immense contribution of Odisha’s artists to India’s cultural tapestry.