KOCHI: The Orissa Crafts Utsav being organised by Art and Crafts Exposition will be held at Women’s Association Hall from July 2 to July 17. Orissa is blessed with an opulent artistic heritage that has specimens from the temple architecture as well as the edifices. Skillful artists and craftsmen of Orissa still maintain their traditional art by continuously processing it to adapt to the changing tastes.The hereditary skills of artists have bequeathed traditional arts and crafts like weaving of Ikat, Bomkai and Sambalpuri sari. Stone carving, applique and embroidery are equally famous, silver filigree work, palm leaf incised design, metal work, lacquered craftsmanship all have acquired a unique place world wide.A visit to the Raghurajpur artists village and Pipli, near Puri, is definitely a memorable experience. The ancient art of palm leaf writing still survives in Oriyan houses and temples. Religious texts and horoscopes traditionally written on palm leaves are still in vogue. Palm leafs are considered so auspicious that printing of new year cards and wedding invitations and important text on them is still popular in Orissa. Patachitras that are of great demand in India as well as in other countries will be available. Tourists to Puri carry back home these exquisite patas or patachitras as mementos and gifts. Like patachitras, applique work in Orissa also originated as a temple art. Coloured cloth is stitched into shapes of animals, birds, flowers and beautiful wall, garden or beach umbrella or lamp shades. Saris and other attires are designed with applique work, which is gaining a lot of popularity in the international market. Tiny mirrors are stuck or stitched by thread embroidery to create a remarkable work of art. Colours like red, yellow, white and black are mainly used, in the papier-mache art of Puri, Chikti Barpali, Parlakhamedi. A few villages around Cuttack has bizarre visages. This art of Orissa is also quite famous worldwide. The special feature of papier-mache toys is they have movable limbs and nodding heads that require specific skills. Elegant craft of silver filigree work will be on offer too. The textiles of Orissa have an individuality of their own. Bold and unusual patterns, vibrant yet subtle blend of colours, unique tie and dye effects and a luxuriant texture characterise them. The state is famous for its silk ikat weaves, an intricate process (bandha) in which warp and weft threads are first tied and then dyed to produce the designed pattern on the loom while weaving. The tribal people of the state also excel in producing textiles of myriad hues using vegetable dyes. The exhibition is open from 10 am to 9 30 pm.
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