The crafts of Orissa are as diverse and dynamic as they are basic and traditional. It has a history that is thousands of years old and stands as a colorful testimony to the integral life force amongst the people from this land. Cross-cultural influences in religion and utilitarian trade have produced a range of exquisite handicrafts that add color and vibrancy to the lives of people not only of this state but all over India.
Orissa's religious heritage and the patronage of Royal courts of have been instrumental in fashioning the range of crafts available today in Orissa. Not only Vaishnavism and Shaivism but also Buddhism, Jainism and strong tribal traditions have shaped Orissa's arts and craft history. Artists villages were created by the visionary kings to promote arts and crafts. There are influences from Indonesia and China too because of Orissa's sea-faring history.
Appliqué Craft of Pipili Appliqué in Orissa is an inseparable part of temple art and craft, which has been refined to perfection. A fine example of the craft is the enormous appliqué canopies above the reigning deity of Puri, Lord Jagannath. Appliqué craft is the process of cutting colored clothes into shapes of animals, birds, flowers, leaves and other decorative motifs and stitching them on a piece of cloth, that can ultimately be used as a lamp shade, a hand bag or even a garden umbrella. Decorative wall hangings and letter holders are also made using this craft. The color, cutting and stitching style along with the themes make this appliqué work very unique. The village of Pipili close to Bhubaneswar, is the site of beautiful appliqué work, created by artists, quite a few of whom have won national award for their craft. This craft form has now also mixed with modern day lives by including subjects like Mickey mouse and other Disneyland characters. However it has not been able to match up to the charm of traditional designs.
Textiles of Orissa Ikat is the gloriously woven, blurry edged, gem colored designs of textile, in gorgeous yarns of silk and cotton. It is the intricate process of 'Tie and Dye'. In this process yarn in knotted in a particular way and then they are dipped in separate colors one at a time. Finally the different colored yarn is woven to produce multi hued tones. The motifs woven in the textiles are drawn from richness of nature. Along with silk and cotton, golden threads are also used to highlight the designs. the double Ikat designs from Sambalpur and the gold embroidered ones from Sonepur are great buys. The Bomkai Ikats have motifs drawn from the Shakti cult. Tusser silk produced from Tusser silkworms (Antheraea mylitta and Antheraea proylei) is a non mulberry silk fabric is valued for its texture and natural gold colour, which is unusually rich and deep is also very popular and widely used textile in Orissa. Tusser silk sarees are a favorite among the women of eastern part of Orissa while the double Ikat sarees of Sambalpur have gained worldwide popularity.
Silver Filigree of Cuttak Tarakashi or silver filigree from Cuttack region, is a poetic expression of form using silver. Beaten silver is drawn through a series of consecutive small holes into fine wires or 'tara' and foils which are then fashioned together by bending them into different designs and soldering them with pincer and scissors. The craftsmanship here is similar to that done in Indonesia and it is these cross-cultural influences which might have introduced this beautiful craft to India. Silver dishes, decorative pieces and jewellery are the main products of this craft which is both decorative and utilitarian. The silver used in this craft generally is of high purity.
Bamboo and Cane work Cane and bamboo craft is one of the traditional and conventional craft of not only Orissa, but entire eastern and north-eastern India. In India, since ancient history , cane and bamboo crafts have rendered artisans' sustenance and livelihood. Many decorative items are made out of cane and bamboo, like mats , baskets, durries, lamp shades etc. Now a days , in homes different furniture items are used made from bamboo and cane. In fact, cane furniture is the latest craze among fashion conscious people to display style in a simple, elegant manner.
A very interesting procedure is followed to create these beautiful pieces of utility. The whole stem of cane and bamboo is cut with a hacksaw and split along the length. Then it is heated on slow fire for providing flexibility. The objects are made in two forms. Either by coiling for baskets or weaving for mats. In coiled basketry , creation of basket is done by first coiling a cane around central core. It is built up spirally and coils are joined together by sewing strips. Therefore , basket is made by sewing the strips. Finally , ornamentation of basket is done with paper, lace and shells. Weaving process is done by hand using water to soften the splits.
Stone Craft of Orissa The stone carving craft traditions of Orissa is best observed in the architecture and rock-cut sculptures of the temples of Orissa. Some of the well known temples of Orissa are Lingraja, Jagannath, Mukteshwara, Raja-Rani, temple chariot of the Sun God at Konark (Sun temple). Other noteworthy mention include stupas of Ratnagiri and Udaygiri, Surasundaris or heavenly beauties playing on different musical instruments at Konark temple, the Konark wheel, horse, elephant, lion. Other motifs include Krishna and Radha, Laxmi, Vishnu, Durga, Buddha and Ganesha. Contemporary artisans have made many a decorative and utility articles like ashtrays, paperweights, candle stands and book rests. The other set of products include stoneware utensils and kitchenware.
The craft person while working on stone first studies the natural design contents of the stone that he has chosen to work upon. The shaping is done therefore very carefully with chisel and hammer. Water is sprinkled repeatedly to was the powdered stone and avoid heat generation. Finally it is polished by rubbing with a file.
Wood Craft of Orissa The Ratha or cars which are used in the annual car festivals of Lord Jagannath are newly built every year and bear testimony to the wood craft of Orissa. Even the idols of lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are carved out of wood. Wood Carving is a intricate and highly specialized form of carving. Decorative pieces like animals, temple carvings, idols of Lord Jagannath, and toy items are some of the popular pieces that are produced from wood in Orissa. Utilitarian items like bowls, plates, ashtrays and other household items are also produced and used by the people in day to day life. The craftsmen of Khandapara are famous for their wooden handicraft products. Daspalla area near Puri is also famous for wood crafts. The craftsmen of Khandapara in Puri are proficient at carving plates, bowls, flowerpots and other decorative articles from a creamy white wood. Known as Sholapith work, the carved articles, if left in natural off-white, look like ivory. Besides this other decorative items and animal and bird toys extensively carved out of wood, and painted wooden masks, are just awe-inspiring.
Metal Craft of Orissa Metal craft has reached a great deal of perfection in Orissa with some truly indigenous designs emerging from its craftsmen’s skills. Bell-metal and brass work are carried out throughout the state, with craftsmen churning out numerous religious and household utensils. Lamp bells, ornate with designs are quite lovely. The traditional Dhokra work is typically tribal craft in bronze with its mesh-like features giving it a distinctive beauty. The tribal families in Sadeiberini, a village near Dhenkanal town, produces this unusual craft familiar in items like boxes, Gods, Goddesses, lamps and animal figures.
Miscellanea Besides all these there are a lot more utilitarian and decorative craft traditions that are followed throughout Orissa. Wasted paper is used to make papier mache toys and masks which are very unique and quite famous around the world. Dried long grass is used to make mats and other utility items like baskets, coasters etc. Generally two types of grass is used. Sabai grass and golden grass. Coconut tree fiber is used to make ropes and decorative items like animal and bird figures. Cow horns, Buffalo horns, stag antlers and tusks are used to make pen stands, table lamps, paper weights, lamp shades, snuff boxes, walking sticks, vermilion containers.
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