INDIA

Orissa Crafts

When talking about Orissa handicrafts, one can never forget the popular Sand Art. Amongst other Orissa crafts that form a part of the Orissa handicraft industry, Patta Chitra and Puppet and Mask making are prominent.

About Orissa

Orissa is a state of diverse and vibrant culture and an unmatched architectural inheritance. A land of temples with beautiful stone carvings, the state holds prime attraction amongst pilgrims from all over the country. Orissa is renowned for its natural heritage. It is the place where Chilka Lake, Asia’s largest lagoon, is situated where you can see millions of migratory birds, including pink flamingos. Other major places of interest in Orissa are Sun Temple of Konark, Bhitarakanika, Udayagiri Caves and Mahendragiri. Besides, the astonishing art ad crafts of Orissa artists are also major source of interest for both domestic and international tourists.

Orissa handicrafts

Orissa possesses a wide range of art and craft and the Oriya artisans are experts in making splendid hand made pieces of handicraft. Many such art of the state has received awe-inspiring laurels from across the world. The number of handicrafts being made and created in Orissa includes Patta Chitra, Sand Art, Metal Work, Silver Filigree, Stone Carving and Puppets and Masks making and so on. Orissa artists create amazing masterpieces of art and crafts that are now popular not only in India but across the globe.

Different categories of Orissa handicrafts

Patta Chitra
Metal Work
Silver Filigree
Stone Carving
Applique Work
Woodcarving
Horn Work
Textile
Sand Art
Puppet and Mask making

Patta Chitra is one of the most popular forms of handicraft in Orissa. These are painted with bright colors and have a unique charm of their own. These paintings are unique because of their distinct pictorial concept, the technique of painting, line formation, color scheme and so on. Another art form, the palm leaf painting, also belongs to this category of Patta Chitra where the traditional painting is done on palm leaf.

The Metal Work of Orissa is another traditional craft of the state. The metal work includes Dhokra craft along with Brass or Bell metal crafts. These crafts give employment to many artists in Orissa. The Dhokra craft is, however, limited to a few villages in Orissa.

Amongst all handicrafts in Orissa Silver Filigree is the most important and most sought after craft. This craft is locally called as tarakasi and is mostly practiced in Cuttack. The silver filigree holds an important position in the socio-cultural scenario in Orissa. The utensils made out of this craft are used for many social and religious functions. Moreover,
Silver filigree is also an important export item of Orissa.

Stone Carving is another craft that holds prime position in the handicraft market of Orissa. The work of this craft can be seen in the many monuments, sculptures and temples in Orissa. Artisans of Orissa use variety of materials for sculpting. The various stones used for sculpture making include white soapstone called 'Khadipathara', which is very soft as well as the hardest black granite called 'mugunipathara'. They also use greenish chlorite or 'Kochilapathara', and pinkish Khandolite.

Applique Work is another craft in which patches of colored fabrics is used on a basic fabric to get a decorative effect. The patches are stitched on the fabric in a unique way.

Woodcarving is another important handicraft of Orissa. This craft creates objects like painted wooden toys, Bargarh masks, idols and chariot decorations. The craft uses light variety of wood and mineral colors. Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri are the places where you get this craft.

In Textile, Ikat is popular. This is a gloriously woven, gem colored design done in silk and cotton fabric. This is an intricate process of Tie and Dye in multi-hued tones with beautiful motif designs.

Other crafts of Orissa include Horn Work, Lacquer Work, Sand Art and Puppet and Mask making.

Manufacturers of Orissa handicrafts

1. Samir Applique is manufacturer of handicrafts like pata chitra, paintings amongst other things.
Address: At-main Road Pipli, puri, Odisha

2. M/s National Coir manufactures handicrafts, antiques, and various coir products.
Address: AT/PO, Pattanaikia, Puri, Odisha

3. Suncrafts is the manufacturer of handicrafts, sculptures, pata chitra painting, palm leaf etching and so on.
Address: Police Line Square, V.I.P. Road, Puri, Odisha

Exporters or export industry of Orissa handicrafts

1. Taj Handicraft are exporters of handicrafts, handlooms, silver filigree jewellery, palm leaf paintings, palm leaf engraving, stone works, metal crafts, wooden crafts, handicrafts, and so on.
Address: Laxmi Sagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

2. Shikha Works & Management Pvt. Ltd. Exports handicrafts like stone work, appliqué work and so on.
Address: Plot No. 3299, Ananta Vihar, Gouri Nagar, Near Gauri Garden, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Website: http://www.shikhagroup.com

3. Rajkumari Imports & Exports are exporters of handicrafts, cosmetics, and other goods.
Address: House No: Viih-15, Sailashree Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Orissa

The handicrafts of Orissa cover a wide market ranging from Nepal, Bangladesh, Philippines and many other Asian and other countries. The artistic skills of the Orissa craftsmen are genuine and authentic. These are especially popular with international tourists.