Tribal Art & Craft of Odisha

Brass bells and other items of ritual worship are symbols of tradition. A Hindu bride receives a set of brass cooking utensils in her trousseau. The copper and zinc alloy are of medicial value and are tied up with notions of purity. Bell metal products; a mix of copper and tin are finished through beating and casting. Dhokra; the ancient technique of lost-wax casting is still practiced in Odisha.

Silver filigree, Stone and Wood carving, Patta paintings, Tie and Dye textiles, bamboo basketry, brass and bell metal work, horn work, and many other famous handicrafts of Orissa can be selected as souvenirs from the local markets. Purchases can be made from Utkalika (run by the Department of Handicrafts) or at the many privately run shops.

Stone and Wood carvings, Patta paintings, the famous applique work of Pipli, and many other handicrafts of Orissa can be selected as souvenirs from the local market.

Soap Stone, Sea-shell, Pattachitras and Palm Leaf paintings, Horn work, Wood carvings, and Solapith work can be purchased from Puri.

The ingenious art and crafts of STs manifest their cultural efflorescence. The change in art is merely the efflorescence of certain long prepared effects. This has been linked with the lifeline of the ST especially the PTGs people. ‘No art no life’ is held to be the motto of their life and living. Art understood in a broader perspective encompasses all forms of traditional and indigenous know how and knowledge. They know their best how to preserve their environment, maintain the sacred sal groves, practise hill slope cultivation on a sustainable basis, and efficiently handle forestland, labour cooperatives and water management.