Vedanta Lanjigarh helps train a new generation of Saura enthusiasts
26th September 2022
- 36 students handpicked to undergo a six-month training program in the art form
Lanjigarh, Kalahandi District; 26th September, 2022: Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina, has commenced a six-month training program for students in the tribal artform of ‘Saura’, at the SSD High School in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district, Odisha. 36 students have been handpicked for the training program, based on their interest and aptitude.
Saura art features prominently in the tribal arts heritage of Odisha. The art form draws inspiration from nature and the artists’ ways of life that includes animals, farmers, elements of nature, gods, natural spirits and ancestors. Witnessing Saura art lose its sheen in the throes of modernity, Vedanta Lanjigarh stepped in to preserve and promote the artform. In addition to the training program for students, the company is also supporting the professional training of around 20 Saura painting exponents. Further, Vedanta Lanjigarh is assisting them in developing producer groups to enable better market opportunities and visibility for their handicrafts.
Speaking about Vedanta Lanjigarh’s intervention to preserve this ancient art form, Mr. GG Pal, Dy. CEO – Alumina Business, Vedanta Limited, said “We take a great sense of responsibility towards preserving the rich cultural heritage of Odisha, through its myriad arts and crafts. Saura art is a reminder of the innate ability of human beings to create beautiful artifacts with the bare minimum tools. By immersing the young generations in the opportunity to engage with this ancient art form, we are creating the possibility of new innovations and applications of Saura art in the modern world.”
Smt. Mamata Majhi, the teacher coordinating the program, said “I am happy that our students are getting an opportunity to hone their creative skills, and in the process helping preserve the artistic heritage of our Odia culture. We are grateful to Vedanta Lanjigarh for giving our children such avenues to express themselves creatively while staying attuned to our valued traditions.”
In addition to its efforts in preserving Saura Art, Vedanta Lanjigarh has also received several accolades for its contributions towards preserving Dhokra craft, which is an ancient metalworking artform that dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. In the Kankeri village of Lanjigarh, the craft had been passed down to the inhabitants through generations, but their craftsmanship was limited to rudimentary trinkets which did not have much market value. Dejected by the hand to mouth existence, many of these artisans moved to other states to work as migrant laborers, in the hopes of earning a stable income.
Looking at their potential, the team at Vedanta Lanjigarh worked with the residents of Kankeri village, enabling them with raw materials, trainings in contemporary designs, art exhibitions and market linkages. This initiative infused new vigour into the Dhokra artisans’ fraternity, for their designs fetched them much higher incomes. Looking at their success, many of the earlier migrants returned to Kankeri to take up the craft once again.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.26 million tonnes in FY22. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 4th in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2021 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. The company operates a 2 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) capacity alumina refinery in Lanjigarh (Kalahandi district, Odisha), India since 2007 and an associated 75 MW captive power plant. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
About Vedanta Aluminium Business:
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
For more information, please log on to www.vedantaaluminium.com
Follow us on LinkedIN, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Disclaimer:
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” – that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “should” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
