The Sky and Chandua: How Everything is Interconnected

Have you ever heard of a chandua? It is a humble but beautiful craft from the Indian state of Odisha. Here, the rivers run slow, and the skies are blue in the day, much like other places you see. Not very remarkable, right? I must add that little "Indian state of" now, for I have readers from faraway lands (you know who you are, dear friend).

Chanduas are quilts made using a unique and intricate applique technique, where small pieces of cloth are sewn onto a larger fabric base to create stunning designs and patterns. These cloth pieces are often brightly coloured and feature traditional motifs such as animals, birds, and flowers, making each chandua a work of art. All of these are stitched by hands that have inherited the craft from generations past.

A Chandua

Not only are canduās beautiful, but they also have a rich cultural significance in Odisha. They were made by women, but now, due to the huge growth in the industry, everybody is engaged in the art. They are often used as bedspreads or wall hangings, like in my studio. Canduās is considered an important part of the cultural heritage of the region, and the art form has been passed down through generations.

If you ever get a chance to see a chandua in person, take the opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship, colours, and everything that goes into the making of it. It's a beautiful example of the beauty and artistry that can be found in traditional handicrafts. Do talk to the artisans who make these pieces of art, get to know them, their way of life, for only then will you be able to understand the intricacies of this art.

Three small chanduas on the audio panels of my studio

Part 1: The Inspiration

I came across these beautiful quilts while reading the works of Kabisamrat Upendra Bhanja, particularly his book "Kotibrahmanda Sundari." Inspired by the mention of chanduas in Bhanja's writing, I knew I had to have them for my studio. Not only do they add a touch of traditional art and charm, but they also hold a deeper significance as I am going to discuss.

The lines that Kabisamrat wrote in the second chapter of "Kotibrahmanda Sundari" are: ବିତାନ ଏସନ ପ୍ରସନ୍ନ ଧରେ । ଯେସନ ଗଗନ ନିଶାକାଳରେ ।

ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରମଣ୍ଡଳ କରେ ପ୍ରକାଶିତ । ପୁଣି ତାର ତାର-ରାଜି ରାଜିତ ।୫।

Transliteration:

bitāna esana prasanna dhare । jesana gagana niśākāḻare ।

candramaṇdaḻa kare prakāśita । puṇi tāra tāra-rāji rājita ।5।

In the first sentence, Kabisamrat cleverly plays with the word "ବିତାନ" (bitāna) to showcase multiple meanings that the word holds, i.e., "sky" and "chandua". Then, the word "ପ୍ରସନ୍ନ" (prasanna) is utilised in a double entendre that showcases the state of "contentment" and "purity".

Explanation of the Lines:

In this passage, the poet describes the visual beauty of chandua by comparing the chandua to a night sky.

Through this comparison to the night sky, the reader is transported to a dreamy landscape of twinkling stars and the bright moon. The intricacy of the chandua is equated to the complexity of the cosmos, with pearls and gems sparkling like constellations made up of distant stars and galaxies.

The author continues the celestial theme with a reference to the moon, the glowing centerpiece of many a nocturnal sky. The jewel sewn into the chandua shines bright, drawing the eye, just like the moon.

Moving on, the last line is a display of wordplay that creates a sense of rhythm and poetic flow that is just beautiful, to say the least. By using "ତାର ତାର-ରାଜି ରାଜିତ" (tāra tāra-rāji rājita), Kabisamrat utilises a word within a word to create a compound effect that enhances the sonic beauty of the writing. Alliteration here is just an addition to the entire thing as an auditory element that enhances the reading experience.

Now coming to the main part of the post.

Part 2: Romanticism

I can't help but notice the beauty in the comparison of a chandua to the sky. This simple analogy refers to a cultural context that is beyond space and time. In just a few words, the words teleport readers into Odisha — to its art, and its landscapes. It teleports you to a clear-skied day in rural Odisha, lying in an open field, staring up at the endless canopy of stars.

A starry night sky

The chandua, with its display of precious jewels, is a cosmic painting that rivals even the grandest of galaxies that stretch across the heavens. The exquisite pearls that adorn it are a shining proof of the exceptional artistry and skill of the artisan that might have crafted it. As one gazes upon this magnificent work of art, they are reminded not only of the skill of human hands but also of the awe-inspiring craftsmanship of the very maker of the Universe, God, whose celestial creations can be seen in the twinkling stars and vast galaxies that decorate the night sky.

I was also struck by the poetic quality of this comparison. The sky, just like a chandua, is a canvas for the colours and textures of threads and experiences to intermingle and create something beautiful and new.

Therefore, one could say that the comparison of a chandua to the sky is a witness to the power of art to evoke emotion that transcend boundaries, and a reminder of the beauty and interconnectedness of all things in the universe. It makes us contemplate the deeper meanings and mysteries of life, and to find hope and inspiration in the beauty that surrounds us, natural or man-made.