RECOGNISED
CRAFTS
Crafts
approved by the Directorate of Handicrafts and Cottage Industries, Odisha Handicrafts
Industries of cuttack district are as follows.
FEATURES OF MAJOR CRAFTS
1. ART TEXTILE
The Art
Textiles of Odisha characterised by the bold and unusual patterns, beautiful blend of
colours and luxuriant texture have an individuality of their own. The magic hand of the
weavers of this traditional art has made it possible to convert the cotton and silk
threads into beautiful sarees and dress materials. The skill of the artisans has
proved Odisha to be the land of fine arts and clothes. The weavers of cuttack produce
sares and other fabrics in buautiful design and colours using the hand operated looms. The
distinctive feature of Odisha textile industry is the 'Ikat" design. This design
which finds its ancient linkages with the maritime activities of sout-East Asia is an
intricate process of tie and dye. selected yarns are knotted before dippin them in
separate colours one at a time and finaly weaving them to produce delightful designs in
multiple colours and in motifts adopted from nature. some of the typical varieties of
Odisha sarees are passapali (chess Board) from Sambalpur and Bolangir districts,
Bichitrapuri (double ikats) woven into temple motifts such as fish, lion etc. also from
Sambalpur district, Sonepuri woven in zari thread sonepur district. Other varieties
include Khanduas,Saktapada,Tarabali,Bomkai etc. These exquisite fabrics in large range of
designs and variety of materials are durable and economical too. Alongwith cotton, tassar
silk is also used extensively. The availability of fine quality of tassar yarn is
very popular for its natural lustre.
2.
BRASS AND BELLMETAL
Brass
and Bellmetal are the two earliest known alloys. Bellmetal ware occupies a pride of place
in Odisha history. The artisans of Brass and Bellmetal are traditionally called
"Kansari". They are propagating ancient and modern method of manufacturing
utensils and decorative items which are of traditional shape. They are used in temples and
houses for religious and other pruposes. The flexible brass fish of Ganjam, the cute brass
figurine of khalisahi, the brass and bellmetal wares of Cuttack, Khurda, Dhenkanal, Jajpur
and Sambalpur are typical examples of
Odisha’s
metal ware, presenting a syntax of beauty and utility. These products are manufaftured in
the traditional process of heating and beating. Every brass and bellmetal utensils with
its shape and netal composition has got its own characteristic and is known for its
cooking and medicinal properties. In couple of decades, this traditional craft activity
has received a great set-bak, beacuase of shift of demand for steel, aluminium and plastic
products. Fir sustainable development of this craft, product diversification with
introduction of appropriate technology is inevitable.
3.HORNWORKS
Mystical
and awe-inspiring, richly textured and finely fashioned from the hroms of animals, these
hand crafted objects are a class apart. 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 to mould all sorts of objects
with a marvellous degree of fluidity of movement. The craftsmen of Cuttack and
Paralakhemundi skillfully fashion horns into birds arrested in flight, animals of prey
caught prowling, fifhting bulls, fish-guzzling cranes, deer nuzzling young, elephant
rolling logs, combs, pen stand, pipes, prawns, lamp-stands etc.
4.SILVER
FILIGREE
Filigree
is unique craft. It has its own intricate design and superb craftmanship. Cuttack district
has a long tradition of meticulous and sophisticated craftmanship in selver filigree
works. locally in own as "Tarakasi' the silver filigree of Cuttack is noted for its
delicateness and intricate workmanship. The art is ancient which has its origin in persian
countries since 15th century. This craft had sufficient patronage during the Moghul period
but subsequently suffered for lack of encouragement and marketing facilities. most of the
artisans engaged in the trade has to seek other avenues for their livelihood under
difficul conditions. In 1952, the State Govt. took a bold step to ameliorate the
conditions of these artisans by brining them in co-operative fold.
There
are three categories of filigree crafts, such as Rose work, Siko work and Jali work to
make filigree articles. The artisans first prepare a frame work for the article by means
of a piece of silver wire drawn into thread as fine as a spider's web. Then weave inner
textures and set it inside the frame. The whole thing is then fixed on a mica sheet with
an indigenous paste and soldered. To give it a finish it is burnt in fure and cleaned in
soap nut water. Filigree work is distinguished from other ornaments and jewellery by
excellent finish, fine foils, textures and snowy glaze. That is why they are presented as
Souvenirs and given by important functionaries including the State Govt. of persons of
national and international eminence visiting the State Decorative Pieces of Lord
Krishna's chariot, Konark chakra and variety of other eye catshing and spectacular silver
ornaments are a craze for the modern fashion loving folk. The invention of machine finish
is a threat to the sector which can be counter balanced by inovative creations of
artisans.
Source : The District Culture Officer, Cuttack ( on 03.06.2004)
 |
|
Go Top |
 |