Community Based Indian Folk Artist in Residence
The "Community Based Indian Folk Artist-in-Residence-2023" at Prayogillu is a celebration of Indian folk culture, diversity, creativity, and storytelling with active community participation. We believe in the power of art to transcend boundaries and connect people on a deeper level. The invited folk artist from India engages with the local community, immersing yourself in the vibrant tapestry of village life. We encourage folk artist to depict the rich social and cultural stories of the village through the intricate and expressive medium of folk style, transforming into not only an artist but also a storyteller, sharing the narratives behind your creations with the community. Moreover, we encourage a symbiotic exchange between folk artist and the local community. As part of our initiative, we aim to empower the residents by providing them with the opportunity to learn and engage in the Indian folk art technique. This collaborative effort will enable them to express their own cultural, ritual, and social experiences through the Indian folk art styles.
A well-known Mithila (Madhubani folk art) painter Shanti Devi from November 16-20, 2023
During Prayogillu's community-based Indian folk artist residency, the local community, especially women and girls, engaged with the renowned Mithila Painter Shanti Devi to depict Velulla village stories through the lens of Madhubani painting, all while embracing the art of storytelling from November 16-20, 2023. In this way, Indian folk art from Madhubani cherished through collaborative efforts, social interactions, cultural transformative reflections, and the magic of storytelling.
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Participants Artworks
Cheriyal Koyya Bommalu (Mask Workshop) by D. Pavan Kumar & D. Sowmya from January 27- February 02,2024
Cheriyal Folk artists D. Pavan and D. Sowmya were invited to celebrate Indian folk arts and honor these traditional practices through collective learning. During this event, they demonstrated the intricate techniques and shared the stories behind the Cheriyal folk art and masks, emphasizing the cultural significance of these traditions. They also showcased the process of making natural colors used in mask-making.
During their residency at Prayogillu, the local community, particularly rural girls and women, actively participated and learned the Cheriyal mask-making process. Each participant crafted two masks, often pairing them as male and female figures. The artists not only shared their expertise but also integrated the local community into the learning experience, fostering a deep connection between the participants and the art form.
Through this residency, Prayogillu celebrated Indian folk arts, ensuring their preservation and continuation by creating a collective learning environment where these traditional practices can thrive and be passed down to future generations.