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Handicradts of Orissa |
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The
state of Orissa boasts of a strong ethnic
handicrafts industry. It has, infect, carved
out a niche for itself in the spheres of
appliqué work, metallurgy, silver filigree,
stone and wood carving, etc. An interesting
aspect about the handicrafts of Orissa is that
they are directly or indirectly linked to the
elaborate rituals observed in context of Lord
Jagannath, the presiding deity of the world
famous temple at Puri.
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Applique Work
'Applique', which is a French term, is a
technique by which the decorative effect is
obtained by superposing patches of coloured
fabrics on a basic fabric, the edges of the
patches being sewn in some form of stitchery.
It is distinct from what is known as patch
work in which small pieces of cut fabrics are
usually joined side by side to make a large
piece of fabric or for repairing a damaged
fabric. Though the form is not unknown in
other parts of India, it is Orissa and
specially in Pipli that the craft has a living
and active tradition continuing over
centuries.
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 small canopies and
wall-hangings are also prepared out of
applique work.
The art form typically depended on four basic
colours - red, white, black and yellow to
produce a striking effect. In recent years,
green too has been applied vigorously
enlivening the craft even more. Temples and
other religious institutions extensively
patronized this art. In fact the basic
inspiration for the art form was mainly
religious in nature.
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Stone Carving
Stone carving is a very major handicraft of
Orissa. As is evident from the innumerable
archaeological monuments, rock-cut sculptures,
caves and temples built for centuries and
embellished with most beautiful and
intricately carved statue and other
adornments, the art of carving in stone had
reached in Orissa dizzy heights of excellence
perfected through centuries of disciplined
efforts of generations of artisans.
The progeny of these artisans who built the
magnificent temples of Parsurameswar,
Mukteswar, Lingaraj, Puri and that wonder in
stone, the temple chariot of the Sun God at
Konark, besides the beautiful Stupas and
monasteries of Lalitgiri Ratnagiri and
Udayagiri have kept alive the sculptural
traditions of their forefathers and their deft
hands can and do chisel and carve exact
replicas of the original temple sculptures
besides producing a variety of other items.
These stone images give a touch of distinction
to modern décor that little present
embellishment can hope to surpass. They are
timeless reflection of glorious tradition, an
unfinished story in stone.
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Pattachitra
The Orissa Pattachitra Paintings have
been a part of the heritage of Orissa since
time immemorial. They are intricately linked
to the cult of Lord Jagannath, an incarnation
of one of the Holy Trinity of the Hindus, Lord
Vishnu. Every year, in the Jagannath temple of
Puri, the three idols of Jagannath, Balaram
and Subhadra are given a ritual bath. This
bath leads to a slight discoloration of the
vibrant paint on the idols. Then they are
removed from the sanctum sanctorum of the
temple for painting. During this time, when
the idols are not in place, they are
substituted by three paintings. They are
prepared by the temple painters on specially
designed clothes. They are called 'Patas' in
the local language. Hence the term 'Pattachitra'
came into being which literally means 'Cloth
Paintings'. The art of 'Pattachitra' commenced
as a ritual. But now it has burgeoned into a
bona fide school of painting. The exponents of
this kind of art are called the 'Chitrakars'.
They are local to Puri and two adjacent
villages, namely Dandshahi and Raghuraipur.
Each of them possess a family sketchbook which
is a traditional legacy handed down from
generations. They prepare the canvas with a
lot of care and call it 'Nirvas Kalpa'. In
fact, this quintessential art form depicts the
cultural legacy of the bucolic locales and
finds expression through the paintings of
Orissa which has been passed down the
generations.
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Brass & Bell
Metal
The fine engravings on brass and bellmetal
utensils, bronze bangles and pots are
important aspects of Orissan art. Artifacts
made of metal, particularly brass, find pride
of place in the homes of Orissa. 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
Orissa reveals the high workmanship of the
artisans and their flair for innovation. These
products are cast in brass by lost - wax -
process and display an intriguing wirework
finish. The wax- work is done with great skill
and meticulousness from wires of bees - wax.
These pieces with their antique look go well
with interior decor. The brass fish of Ganjam,
with its elegantly decorative form and
intricate pattern, represents a marvel of
craftsmanship in sheet metal. |
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Silver Filigree
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 Filigree 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 effect.
Locally known as "Tarakashi", the silver
filigree of Cuttack is noted for its
delicateness and intricate workmanship. The
art is ancient, dating back to the dawns of
early history. Made of silver drawn into
threads as fine as spider's web, the filigree
jewellery and decorative art work of Orissa is
internationally known for their superb finish,
fine foils and texture - snow glaze, delicate
artistry and elegant craftsmanship.
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Horn Work
Horn articles of Orissa are mystical and are
blended with a superb fashion design. Their
lively appearance, dynamism and animation vie
with the real objects of nature - that spells
the names of Parlakhemundi and Cuttack. There
are artisans in Orissa who are dexterous in
providing articles of daily use like combs,
flower vases and pen-stands 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. The horns, that are mostly
from buffaloes and cows require a high degree
of skill and imagination in application. The
artisans who excel in this art have used the
specific texture of this material t mould all
sorts of objects with a marvelous degree of
fluidity in movement.
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Lacquer Work
The work is executed in delightful folk
designs, and form an important part of a
girls' trousseau in Orissa. Among other
beauties of this crafts are the bangles,
necklaces and toys, all of them distinctive
and hence in great demand by the cognoscenti.
Bamboo boxes are lacquered in various colours
and shades. These bamboo boxes in graduated
sizes are widely exported. The accompanying
illustrations reveal the sparkle of these
boxes. Naturally these boxes make for
attractive presentation items on all
occasions.
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Papier Mache
Papier Mache skill has been creatively
practiced by crafts persons from all over
Orissa. Paper, waste cloth and different kinds
of natural fibers are soaked and beaten into
pulp, then mixed with a variety of seeds and
gums for strength and as protection from
termites. Special clays and bio-wastes are
added for body and reinforcement. The entire
process results in a medium so malleable that
it requires little skill to be molded into
countless forms. However, despite its
versatility this craft has remained neglected. |
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