Odisha, has a rich heritage behind it and Odisha handicrafts play a
pivotal role in that rich cultural history. 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 the very prominent ones are:
PATTA CHITRA ART
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 This ritualistic art
observes a fine blend of sophisticated art and folk element in the form of rich
colors. Practiced widely in Raghurajpur and Dandshahi villages at the outskirts
of Puri, these pattas have become synonymous to the place.
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 This ritualistic art
observes a fine blend of sophisticated art and folk element in the form of rich
colors. Practiced widely in Raghurajpur and Dandshahi villages at the outskirts
of Puri, these pattas have become synonymous to the place.
TARAKASI
ART
There
are some artists of Odisha who have contributed to enrich the tradition of art
through a highly skilled art form, which is more than 500 years old. This is the art of Silver Filigree or Tarakasi work. Presently, the silver filigree
workers are largely from the district of Cuttack, where the art flourishes. The
filigree artists mainly work with an alloy of 90% or more pure silver. This
very special type of art includes making beautiful and attractive figures from
silver in the forms of animals, birds, flowers and even miniature handbags and
other souvenirs. The Konark Chakra
and temple are great favorites as mementos, even scenes from the Mahabharata and
stills from Bhagavad Gita are popular.
SAND SCULPTING ART
The sand sculptures are another famous handicraft of Odisha and is mainly
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
sand by the Oriya artists. Very eye catching and splendidly beautiful, this art
form has gained immense popularity with the development of tourism.
More such handicrafts of Odisha that
are less known, but equally beautiful are:
Dhokra Casting: An alloy of brass and bell metal coupled with the
skill of the artisans produces amazing pieces of art. These are mainly made in
Khurda, Puri, Dhenkanal and Ganjam. Lost wax technique is used to cast
beautiful designs of lamps, boxes, tribal figures and Gods and Goddess. The
motifs are mostly inspired by the folk culture.
Golden
Grass work: Golden
grass products are extremely loved amongst all the people irrespective of
gender or generation. The village artisan in rural areas of
Odisha make best use of grass tansforming them in to beautiful things of use.
From the stem of the Khuskhus plant, women make a variety of boxes, baskets
dinning, mats which the look shiny because of the golden colour of the stem. 
Horn
Works: The
products of Parlakhemundi, these are exquisitely designed artefacts made up of
animal horns. This
craft has been practiced for ages, primarily by the tribes of Santhals, Oraons
and Marijas. Contemporary artisans use the cow and buffalo horn to make more
utility items like ashtrays, jewelry and combs. Lacquer Toys: Lac, a gum collected from the Kusum trees add in the hue to the bamboo baskets which result in fashionable lacquer baskets and boxes. Beautiful motifs of birds, foliage are painted over the boxes and at times mirrors are also studded to the surface to make them more colourful and attractive. This turns out to be a tremendous show of creativity with various geometric and religious patterns on it.
Tassar Painting: This unparalleled work of beauty is famous and is produced largely from places near Puri. As a religion art form it evolved from the temple rituals. These paintings potray a large variety of themes, from religious and mythical stories to exotic and raga (musical) narratives.
Papier Mache: This art form actually converts waste paper and waste materials into unbelievably beautiful relics. The waste is mashed together with the process of crushing and beating. The mediums used for longevity and durability are variety of seeds and gums to safeguard the pulp from termites. This is then converted into beautiful pieces of art.
By now, we have all realised that Odisha is a state renowned for its handicrafts.
There are two villages that one can visit where making various handicrafts is the main profession of the resident, so as to enhance the experience of culture of handicrafts.
Pipli
If one is
interested in brightly coloured applique and patchwork, then Pipli is the place
to go. This village has a long history dating back to the 10th century,
when it was established to accommodate craftsmen who made applique umbrellas
and canopies for the annual Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra. Back in those days,
applique artisans predominantly catered to the needs of temples and kings. This
place still bears the legacy of beautiful handicrafts with elan.
Pipli is
best visited when traveling between Puri and Bhubaneshwar.
Raghurajpur
Raghurajpur
is a smaller and less commercialized village, and artisans carry out their
crafts while sitting out the front of their prettily painted houses. There are
just over 100 households in the village, which has a picturesque setting
amongst tropical trees next to the Bhargavi River near Puri. Pattachitra paintings
are a specialty here.
Raghurajpur
is located a couple of kilometers from Chandanpur.
