Odisha traditional handicrafts

Major handicrafts in Odisha include applique work, brass and bell metal, silver filigree and stone
carving. Other forms include Lacquer, Papier Mache, and tribal combs, handlooms and wood and
traditional stone carving.
Having an ancient tradition of making splendid pieces of art by hands Oriya artists have long been
presenting their awe inspiring master pieces to the world. There are a lot of handicrafts that have been
running as the life force in the cultural land of Odisha (Orissa). Some of which include- Patta Chitra, Sand
Art, Metal Work, Silver Filigree, Stone Carving and making Puppets and Masks etc.
Patta chitras are miniature paintings, used as wall hangings with religious themes as their subject matter.
Legends from the lives of Lord Krishna are mainly depicted on this specially treated cloth known as
Patta.
Developed over the years, this art form has helped a distinct school of painting to evolve. Having its origin
in Sanskrit language, the word Patta Chitra literally means a painted piece of cloth. This ritualistic art
observes a fine blend of sophisticated art and folk element in the form of rich colors. The skilled hands of
the talented artisans present blood red, red ochre, lamp black, yellow, white and indigo in a unique way as
they pretend to be offsetting each other.
These pattas are carried back home by pilgrims to Puri as precious mementos. Practiced widely in
Raghurajpur and Dandshahi villages at the outskirts of Puri, these pattas have become synonymous to
the place.
Another famous handicraft of Odisha (Orissa) is also based at Puri. This implies carving a sand sculpture
with just clean and fine-grained sand mixed with water. Attractive sculptures are carved out of this sand by
the Oriya artists.Dating back to fourteenth century A.D. the origin of this art is associated to Poet Balaram
Das, the author of Dandi Ramayan.Very eye catching and splendidly beautiful, this art form has gained
immense popularity with the development of tourism.
The artists of Cuttack have also invariably contributed to enrich their tradition in the form of an art known
as Silver Filigree. Owing its popularity to this art form only the silverware or Trakashi of Odisha (Orissa) is
very widely known.
Thin wires drawn from beaten silver and foils are fashioned to make unique examples of artistic
excellence. Forms of animals and birds, small show pieces, fine pieces of Jewellery and articles of daily
use like vermilion receptacles are made by the filigree artists that are popular the world over.
Artists of Odisha (Orissa) create miraculous master pieces of art practicing yet other crafts too that are
now not popular in India but across the globe as well.
Odisha (Orissa) Art & Crafts guide - Odisha (Orissa) has an art and craft that are the products of a long
historical process in which the spiritual, philosophical and the human dimensions have merged to yield
the finest effects of a cultured and civilized life. This art and craft only have made the state a land of rich
and diverse artistic achievements.

The cultural heritage of Odisha (Orissa) is reflected in its vibrant art forms. Having distinct traditions of

painting, architecture, sculpture, handicrafts, music and dance, Odisha (Orissa) boasts of a long and rich
cultural
heritage.
Due to the reigons of many different rulers, the culture, arts and crafts of the state underwent many
changes, imitations, assimilations and new creations from time to time. Yet, the artistic skill of the Oriya
Art
&
Crafts
Information
is
unsurpassable
in
the
world.
Famous for its appliqu items, Pipli- the fare attracts thousands of visitors round the year and offers a
gala of alluring handicrafts. Silver filigree has also been an important export item of Odisha (Orissa) from
ancient times and has been a symbol of the summit of excellence reached by Orissan craftsmen. The
exquisitely carved stone sculptures, embellished on the walls of the ancient shrines and monuments
attest the artistry of those sculptors who perfected the skill through centuries of disciplined efforts. The
progeny of these artisans who built the magnificent temples of Mukteswar, Lingaraj, Jagannath and Sun
God at Konark, have kept alive the sculptural heritage of their forefathers and their apt hands still continue
to chisel and carve exact replicas of the original temple sculptures besides producing a variety of other
items.

Traditional Paintings of Odisha (Orissa)

Patachitras - The tribal, the folk and the classical are the three streams of the Orissan School of
Painting. The classical Orissan painting, pattachitras is painted on a specially prepared cloth (patta),
coated with earth to stiffen it and finally finished with lacquer after painting, producing motifs in vibrant
colours. Pattas are now used as wall hangings. The subject matter of patta paintings are closely
connected with the Jagannath cult and the episodes from Ram and Krishna life. Pattas showing in scenes
of Rasa Lila, Vastra Haran, Kaliya Dalan images of Lord Jagannath musical themes of eroticism, nature
and wild life and sets of ganjapa cards, small circular cards made in sets of 96 discs, executed in vigorous
folk style are special. The traditional chitrakars (painters) have the honour of painting the Puri temple
deities and their chariots (cars) every year.
Palm leaves (Chitra pothi) have long been used as writing materials. An exclusive indigenous tradition of
Odisha (Orissa), the craft of palm leaf manuscripts dates back to the medieval period. With the help of an
iron pen orstylus (lohankantaka), the artist first inscribes the text or design on the surface of palm leaves,
then applies a paste of tamarind seed, oil and charcoal. When the residue is rubbed off, the groove
stands out distinctly. Usually the legends of the Mahabharat and Ramayan, images of gods and goddess,
the nature and wild life themes are presented. The visual effects are enhanced using the vibrant
vegetable and mineral colours. Romantic figures drawn on small leaves now serve as book marks,
greeting cards and playing cards. Of late, the traditional artists clustered in the village of Raghurajpur,
about
50
km
from
Bhubaneswar
have
revived
this
art
from.
Originally, Pattachitra artists were settled by the Gajapati King of Puri to paint divine trinity on specially
treated clothes to be hung inside the sanctum of Jagannath Temple for the darshan of devotees during
Anavasar (retirement in seclusion) when the Lord steps out of the temple alongwith brother Balabhadra
and sister Subhadra to mingle with the masses, the occasion of annual Rath Yatra. Originating from this
tradition,
this
art
developed
and
gained
popularity.
The village of Dandasahi near Raghurajpur has been identified as another centre. Ananta Moharana and
his son Panu Moharana together have added some new elements to Patta paintings.
Odisha (Orissa) Tribal Paintings - The tribal paintings are intimately related to their religious beliefs and
drawn to appease their deities. Idital is the ethnic painting of the Saora tribe usually depicting everyday
like along -with the concepts of retribution, punishment and rewards. The Saora artists use right angled
triangles to cast the anthropocentric world in different moods and emotions. The Kondhs paint the walls of

their houses with geometric patterns, called Manji Gunda while the Santal paint the figurative designs.
Wall paintings of PaudiBhuyan reflect about agriculture whereas the wall paintings of Juang include
animals, birds and flowers.

Orissa is famous for her handicrafts which exhibit the skill and creativity of her artisans. Her brass work, silver work,
terracotta art objects, and applique work are unique examples of artistic excellence.
BRASS & BELL METAL WARE
The fine engravings on brass and bellmetal utensils, bronze bangles and pots are important aspects of Orissan art.
Artefacts made of metal, particolarly brass, find pride of place in the homes of Orissa. Beautiful lamps and lampstands 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 Orissa reveals the high
workmanship of the artisans and their flair for innovation
.
SILVER WARE AND FILIGREE WORK
Silverware of Orissa is very widely known. Her Filigree works particularly are unique examples of artistic excellence
rarely to be seen in any other part of India. Silver wires, extremely delicate, are shaped into intricate designs. Forms
of animals and birds, articles of daily use like vermilion receptacles are also made out of silver wires- Filigree
ornaments, especially brooches and earrings are very popular among Indian women. Cuttack is world famouS for
Ciligree work. Scenes from the Mahabharat are sometimes depicted in silver in particular interest is the chariot of
Arjuna driven by Lord Krishna done in silver. One feels amazed is see the skill with which minute details of the chariot
wheels have been worked. The beauty of the chariot, the proud stance of the horses and the true-to-hi figures, all
contribute to the over-all majesty of the silver art efact.
TERRACOTTA AND POTTERY
Potters of Orissa still make earthen pots to be used in various religious and social functions. They are made in
various shapes and sizes and are adorned with fish and flower motifs and geometrical designs. Horses and elephants
in terracotta are made to meet local demands during religious occasions. These are offered to the village-goddess
(grama-devati) to ward off disease and danger. In size they range from six inches to three feet. The potter also makes
clay toys and simple and appealing figures of human beings. They catch the essential characteristics of real-life
creatures. Terracotta toys are made in every pan of Orissa. The toys are simple in design and bear the traits of the
locality in which they are produced.
GOLDEN GRASS AND CANE WORKS
Baskets, handfans and tablemats are woven from golden grass by the female folk. Floormats are also woven out of
golden grass which is a local product, Today the demand for these goods has increased and this testifies to their
beauty, utility and lasting quality. Cane is used for weaving baskets and several items of furniture.
APPLIQUE WORKS
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 colour
to any gathering. Heart-shaped fans, big and smau 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 coloured 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 colours dazzle the eyes of the onlookers and
set the festive mood. Bags of various shapes and sizes are also made with applique motifs. Applique chharis
(umbrellas) and "tarasas" (heart-shaped wooden structures covered with applique work and supported on pikes) are
used to lend colour 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.
HORN WORKS
There are artisans in Orissa who are dexterous in providing articles of daily use like combs, flower vases and penstands out of the horn of cattle. The horn is polished smooth, and then shaped into various Corms. Cranes, lobsters,
scorpions and birds made of horn are finished to a nicety. Their surface throws off a dark somber sheen and the catch
the attention of all art-lovers.
SAREES AND OTHER FABRICS
Perhaps the most popular item in Orissan handicrafts iss the handloom saree. The saressc come in a variety of
designs and colours to suit every taste and pocket. Generally the villagers in Sambalpur district weave the sarees on
looms in the private or corporate sectors. Sambalpuri cotton saris have a smooth finish and have a distinctly original
border and pallu. Fish, conch shell and flower motifs are woven into the fabric. Sometimes animal motifs are also
used to decorate the borders and pallu. Silk sans are also produced by village craftsmen from local raw materials.
Khandua Pata saris have elaborate designs and a gloss which is attractive. Bapta saris have cotton and silk threads
in warp and woof. Berhampori Pata saris are worn by orthodox and modern women alike. The saris are named after
the places where they are produced, the quality of skeins used and the nature of the designs woven into them. Hand
woven bed sheets, bed covers, table cloths, curtains and dress materials of Orissa are equally popular throughout the
country.
STONE & WOOD CARVINGS
Stone carving is an age-old craft of Orissa. 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 Orissa 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.Apart Orissa has
many other items of handicraft such as paper mache, sola pith work, lacquer work, zari work, glass beads, cloth
garlands, camphor garlands, jute carpets, rush mate, and above all the, sea shell works undertaken in Puri and
Gopalpur.