Odisha Project
Odisha Project
Odisha Project
BALANGIR
Terracotta: Terracotta' means burnt clay. It is also called 'Mruttika' in Odia. These crafts
are earthy, strong and extremely attractive when painted. Many different items are made from
clay by talented Odisha craftsmen such as diyas (small lamps), cute lanterns, earrings,
necklaces, masks, vases, utilities like coffee cups, glasses, chulhas or clay cookstoves,
incense stick stands, showpieces of just about anything (human figures, animals, plants,
Lords’ statues, monuments, even Angry Birds.
Lakhapali, Malamunda, Baghapali, Bahalbuka, Manahira, Bubel,,Titilagarh,Naren,Kumbhari
these district are famous for its manufacturing.
Patta Chitra: One of the oldest forms of artwork found in Odisha, Pattachitra art is
fascinating, depicts Hindu mythological tales and wonders. Primarily based on these stories
from the past, Pattachitra art is vibrant, unique and is a fine display of dexterous Indian
craftsmanship at its best. This kind of artwork has a traditional appeal and is intrinsic with
Indian values, customs and rituals, which are a part and parcel of the Hindu faith and
religion. What started off as different forms of paintings has however evolved to become an
immense facet of Indian accessories and other forms of traditional fashion as well.
Applique: Tailors at Pipli execute applique works, which are in great demand. Giant-sized
umbrellas of applique work are produced for use on festive occasions. Also used as garden
umbrellas in sprawling lawns, they lend grace and color to any gathering. Heart-shaped fans,
big and small canopies and wall-hangings are also prepared out of applique work. The tailors
cut out figures of animals, birds, flowers as well as geometrical shapes out of richly colored
cloth and these are arranged symmetrically on another piece of cloth and sewn in place to
produce an eye-catching design. The rich splashes of yellow, white, green, blue, red and black
colors dazzle the eyes of the onlookers and set the festive mood. Bags of various shapes and
sizes are also made with applique motifs. Applique chhatris(umbrellas) and tarasas(heart-
shaped wooden structures covered with applique work and supported on pikes) are used to
lend color to religious processions. Large applique canopies are an integral part of marriage
celebrations. In temples, canopies are hung over the deities to protect them from falling dirt
2. DHENKANAL
Dhokra casting: Odisha is best known for its Dhokra metal casting which is an important
traditional craft. The metal used for this casting is brass followed by lost wax method. Dhokra
is an alloy of nickel, brass and zinc. When these three are mixed in the appropriate proportion
it gives an antique look and augments well with the interiors. The motifs that are mostly used
for Dhokra are inspired by folk culture.
Bell Metals: Bell metal-ware occupies a pride place in Odisha's history. The artisans of
brass and bell metal are traditionally called 'Kansari'. They propagate ancient and modern
methods of manufacturing utensils and decorative items which are of traditional shapes. The
Bell Metal Handicraft is a metal casting technique and believed to be too oldest one.
Horn works: Horn Work in Orissa, India is mainly done by the artists of Paralakhemundi.
Located in Orissa's Gajapati district, horn articles of Paralakhemundi showcase the rich
cultural heritage of the place. Orissa Horn Work is mystical and showcases an outstanding
fashion design. The lively appearance, animation and dynamism of the horn articles vie with
the genuine objects of nature. In Paralakhemundi, many of the horn works boast of little
touches of silver filigree that offer an unusual look to these items. In Cuttack, the horn and
filigree works are blended to create decorative jewels as well as bangles. Several dexterous
artisans of Orissa also make articles of daily use such as combs pen-stands and flower vases
using the horn of cattle. It is quite evident that when it comes to Horn Work, Orissa, quite a
variety is on offer.
Straw works: The sleepy village of Jirala in Dhenkanal district is today synonymous with
straw painting. It has carved a place for itself in the art map of Odisha due to the efforts of
Pradeepta, who is the lone craftsman in the State practicing and promoting straw painting.
Considering beauty of the art form, the Dhenkanal administration has now roped him to train
others in the craft.
Wood carving: Wood carving is an old art form practiced in different parts of Orissa. Puri is
famous for its colourful and painted wood carving where the local skilled artists prepare the
finished goods using vegetable colors as well as chemical colours. Practitioners of this craft
are also found in Dhenkanal, Odisha. Craftsmen use woods like neem, teak, ceader and
sheesham. However, demand for the craft has declined over the recent years. Stylized version
of animals and birds like bull, elephant, horse, lion and peacock are also used. Hindu gods
like Krishna, Laddu Gopal and Ganesha are also made and if required are polished with wax
to obtain a glossy and smooth texture.
Stone carving: Stone carving in Orissa is an ancient practice of carving stone into works of
art and utilitarian objects. This is an ancient custom in Orissa, India. Stone carving is mainly
done by artisans in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Lalitgiri in Kathak district, but some carving can
also be seen in Kithin in Mayurbani district. Stone carving is one of the major handicrafts of
Orissa. This art form consists primarily of custom sculptural work, exemplified by the Sun
Temple of Konark and its intricate carvings, as well as delicate carvings on bright red
sandstone. Other notable monuments include the stupas of Udayagiri and Ratnagiri, the
temples of Jagannath, Lingaraj, Mukteshwar, and other temples in the area.
Silver Filigree: Silver filigree work is the art of twisting and weaving thin silver wires into
intricate designs, creating delicate and intricate pieces of jewellery and decorative items It is a
painstaking process that requires precision and patience, making It a true labour of love.
Today, silver filigree work continues to thrive in Odisha, with the artisans passing down their
knowledge and techniques from generation to generation. The craft has evolved over time,
with contemporary designs being incorporated into traditional pieces, but the essence of the
craft remains the same - the intricate weaving of silver wires into beautiful and timeless
pieces of art. Silver filigree work is not just limited to jewellery it is also used to create a wide
range of decorative items, including idols, lamps, trays, and even furniture These items are
often adorned with semi-precious stones, adding to their beauty and value.
3. GAJAPATI
Bamboo: Once upon a time bamboo was a huge product in Gajapati district. On
Saturday weekly market at Paralakhemundi & before Margashira of Odia month
when Laxmi Puja at various homes started as per rituals particularly among Odia
families which called 'Mana basa Gurubar, plenty of bamboo processed products
sold at various streets by those bamboo craft sellers. But now this seems almost
blank & customers use to search anywhere where it is available. In all weekly
market of 7 blocks those bamboo processed item was sold in huge quantities &
those sellers earned handsome amount. But now a days due to lack of inputs from
forest department nor proper planning to encourage those bamboo weavers
missing.
brass-bell metal kasa & pital: The fine engravings on brass and bell-metal
utensils, bronze bangles and pots are important aspects of Odishan art. Artefacts
made of metal, particularly brass, find pride of place in the homes of Odisha.
Beautiful lamps and lamp-stands are used during the worship of deities. Rice-
measuring bowls made of brass are used in many homes. The artisans also make
elephants and horses from brass and decorate them with intricate designs.
Containers of brass for betel chewers are designed both to be useful and
ornamental. There are household articles and utensils made out of brass and bell
metal and they are of different shapes and sizes. The brassware of Odisha reveals
the high workmanship of the artisans and their flair for innovation.
4. KALAHANDI
Stone carving: The stone carving is one of the major handicraft of Kalahandi. The
artisans of Kandhagarh , a small cluster having about 60 trained artisans, practice this art
for quite some time and produce decorative items like statue of God and Goddess, Devdashi
and utility items like table lamp stand, pen stand, table bowl, flower-vase etc. Both
traditional motifs as well as modern designs are used to produce a high range of products
including utility items.
Bamboo craft: The natural and durable bamboos not only make strong and durable mats
and baskets but also eco-friendly and trendy handicrafts expressing the artistic life of
artisans particularly in Narla and Karlapat forest regions.
Gem stone: Kalahandi was famous for gemstone (Karonda Mandal) in ancient times. Its
rich gemstone deposit included cat's eye, sapphire, ruby, garnet, crystal, topaz, moonstone,
diamond, tourmaline, acquamarine, beryle, alexandrite, etc. The distribution and occurrence
of precious and semi-precious gemstones and other commercial commodities of the region
have found place in the accounts of Panini (5th century BC), Kautilya (3rd century BC),
Ptolemy (2nd century AD), Wuang Chuang (7th century AD) and Travenier (19th century AD).
Until recently, Kalahandi, along with Balangir, supplied gem stones for handicraft work that
can be found in Delhi Haat. Jiligndara, near Junagarh of Kalahandi, has one of the largest
ruby deposits of Asia as per Geological Survey of India.
5. KANDHAMAL
Dokra: Dhokra art has been named after the nomadic Dhokra Damar tribe who primarily
belonged to the states of West Bengal and Odisha Thus, Odisha has been one of the nerve
centres of Dhokra handicrafts in India. Even though we find traces of Dhokra art across the
span of the Indian subcontinent, the primary Dhokra practicing tribes settled in the interior
and rural areas of this state, where they honed their skills to perfection, creating an art that
is one of its kinds, till date. As the popularity of Dhokra reduced in different parts of India,
Dhenkanal continued to rise as the citadel of Dhokra art in Odisha. While other regions like
Rayagada district are also well known for Dhokra production, the antique creations of
Dhenkanal remain unbeatable of Dhokra - Sadeibareni and Navjeevanpur Ghantaras are the
main.
Soft toy : A Soft Toy also known as Stuffed Toy is sewn from textiles like plain cloth, plush
or terrycloth and stuffed with cotton, wood wool, plastic pellets or straws. Soft toys are used
to represent various animals with different shapes and sizes . Modern stuffed toys are
commonly constructed of outer fabrics such as plain cloth, pile textiles like plush or
terrycloth, or sometimes socks. Common stuffing materials include synthetic fiber, batting,
cotton, straw, wood wool, plastic pellets, and beans.
6. KORAPUT
Kotpad Handloom: Kotpad is famous for Saree and Handloom products. Kotpad Handloom
is a vegetable-dyed fabric woven by the tribal weavers of the Mirgan community of Kotpad
village in Koraput. The Mirgan community of Kotpad is famous for their exquisite organic
dyed textile. They usually weave this textile for "Bhotada", "Dharua" and other motifs of their
neighboring tribal communities. Cotton sarees with solid border and Pata Anchal, duppatta
with typical Buties / motifs, Scolrfs on cotton, silk, handloom stoles, and dress materials are
all dyed with organic dyes. The natural dye is manufactured from the aul tree grown in this
area. The Kotpad tussar silk saree with tribal art and Kotpad handloom fabrics with natural
color is its specialty.
Puppets and Masks : Odisha is well-known for crafting masks in wood, sholapith, and
:
papier mache. These masks are used by the itinerant performers who stage plays based on
the great epics. The wooden masks are usually made of light drift wood and then painted with
bright colours. The craftspersons working with wood and papier mache are concentrated in
and around Puri. Puppets with faces and limbs made of brightly
painted wood and dressed in character are manipulated by string. They are popularly used in
jatra, the folk theatre in Odisha.
Sisal Fibre Craft: Like Sabai grass, golden grass and jute etc, Sisal fibre is also a natural
fibre. Due to its durability and strength, the leaves are prepared as a rope. Like Sabai grass,
golden grass and jute etc, Sisal fibre is also a natural fibre. Due to its durability and strength,
the leaves are prepared as a rope and then by weaving process with threads and other cloth,
various products such as hats, bags, carpets, and dartboards etc. are prepared.
Dhokra Casting
Bamboo Craft
8. NABARANGAPUR
Lac work: Though lacquer on wood can be found in most parts of India, the products in
Navrangpur in the Koraput district of Odisha are unique because here the lacquer is used on
articles made of bamboo.Lacquer is prepared by melting lac, and then mixing the required
shade of pigment and dyes to obtain the colours. The bamboo product is given a coat of the
chosen shade of lacquer by melting it evenly over the item. In the next stage, lacquer in
different colours is drawn into threads. These threads are patterned over the base into
designs that are geometrical, floral, and folksy, with beautiful borders. The artisans need to
be near the fire in order to have continuous flowing heat to facilitate. This work is done
mainly by the women and the tools they use are very simple and basic-a pair of scissors, a
blunt needle, a flat block of granite stone, and small wooden rods. The main items produced
are boxes in different lengths and sizes, though the repertoire has expanded to include
coasters, wall hangings, and folk animal and human figures.
Wood carving: Wood cravings are among the age-old crafts of Odisha. The descendants of
the artisans who once scaled the dizzy heights of excellence in temple building have kept the
sculptural tradition alive through their hereditary craft of stone carving. The carved products
include replicas of temples, images of gods and goddesses, the Konark wheel and horse, and
decorative figurines like alasa kanya(the indolent damsel), salabhanjika(lady leaning against a
sal branch), surasundari (heavenly. beauty), lekhika(lady writing a letter) etc. which are
popular items of household decoration. Wood carvings of Odisha are almost equally popular.
They differ from the artifacts of other states in so far as they are plain and shining with
smooth polish and without any paint or coating of lacquer work on them.
9. NUAPARA
10. RAYAGADA
Dhokra Casting
Cane & Bamboo
Tribal Jewellery
https://dhorissa.nic.in/hc_cluster.htm#Malkangiri
https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/odisha/arts-and-
handicrafts.html