Sudarshan Shaw: Saving a village of turtle conservationists, the artwork means

Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR:  Sudarshan Shaw’s work are an interplay between man and nature. The younger graphic artist, who has been extensively engaged on the theme of wildlife, is now organising an artwork fundraiser to assist the coastal group that has been defending the endangered Olive Ridley habitat at Rushikulya for ages.

The portray ‘Turtles and the Sea’. (Photo | EPS)He is promoting his artwork work ‘Turtles and the Sea’, portraying the journey of Olive Ridley turtles to the coast to put eggs and the journey of the hatchlings again into the ocean. It reveals the connection between the turtles, Rushikulya seaside and the communities that defend them, he mentioned, including that it is part of his sequence, My Picture of Divinity.

“During one of my visits to Rushikulya to witness the Arribada (congregation of Olive Ridleys), I came across this community of fishermen-cum-guides who have been at the forefront of keeping the habitat safe for the turtles and protecting their eggs. Leading them is a young fisherman Bipro Behera who is also a conservationist and a naturalist. They did not earn anything as guides during the turtle nesting season this time and due to the prolonged lockdown, Bipro and his community also lost their link with the fish market. It was very disheartening to see the plight of these people who have been putting their heart and soul for turtle conservation”, says 29-year outdated Sudarshan, who began the fund raiser every week again.

 “Many people have come forward to contribute as they are familiar with Bipro’s contribution to the cause of Olive Ridleys,” says the Bhubaneswar-born artist.

The proceeds will go to the group. An avid traveller and a naturalist himself, Sudarshan has been specializing in wildlife and folklore since his commencement days at NIFT, New Delhi.

“Art and wildlife bond in a world where words are alien. Both speak in a language only as splendid and clever as their seeker. Both wild, both free! The bigger the room for art grows inside human hearts, the bigger the home for the wild”, says Sudarshan who has been a commissioning artist for Odisha Forest division, Wildlife Trust of India, WWF-India and National Zoological Park, New Delhi.