Odisha the land of enchanting beauty is well known for its exquisite handicrafts. It has a rich tradition of handicrafts, unique in its characteristics that have evolved along with its art & sculpture, temple architecture, folk art, dance & music. The craftsmanship is unique for its technical perfection and artistic excellence. Having an ancient tradition of making splendid pieces of art by hands Odia artists have long been presenting their awe-inspiring masterpieces to the world. Age has not withered the beauty and dynamic diversity of Odisha’s traditional arts and crafts. Even today, despite the industrial revolution and availability of cheap machine-made products the handicraft industry has not only survived but also flourished amidst stiff competition.
Almost every district of the State makes a rich contribution to the numerous ranges of handcrafted articles available. Each article is a class by itself and is also perceived as painstaking self-expression of the artisan and the locale culture. As an industry it is highly labor-intensive and decentralized, being spread all over the state in rural and urban areas, and has contributed significantly to employment and also to GDP of the State. Also, many artisans are engaged in certain crafts work on a part-time basis.
A huge potential exists in the state for economic development in rural areas through employment and income generation by promoting handicrafts. Next to the handloom sector, they are the major providers of employment in the non-farm sector. Based on an assessment of the socio-economic status, employment, and market position, the handicrafts of Odisha, which are 51 in number, maybe broadly categorized under the following heads:
Popular crafts such as brass and bell metal, silver filigree work, applique work, stone carving, pattachitra, golden grass craft, wood carving, wooden painted toys, sea-shell work, palm leaf etching, terracotta & clay toys, solapith work, costume jewellery, dhokra casting, papier mache, cane and bamboo work and the like. These are called popular crafts because of their good market potential and they provide employment to a large number of artisans in the state.
Rare and languishing crafts are on a declining trend and some of them are on the verge of extinction. For example, the Jari work of Cuttack, Jaikhadi work of Parlakhemundi, cloth flower garlands of Tusra in Bolangir and Baleswar town, glass beads of Berhampur and theatrical dressmaking of Cuttack, Keora leaf work of Ganjam and Kendrapara, artistic footwear of Barang, paddy crafts of Koraput, Kalahandi and Bolangir, musical instruments of Koraput, Baragarh and Nawrangpur, lacquered toys of Nawrangpur, Bargarh ritual toys, durry and carpet work of Bolangir, flexible brass fish of Ganjam, betelnut work of Aska and Berhampur and the like. There are very few artisans now left to practice these crafts and keep them alive. Craftsmen practicing such crafts are not in a position to earn their subsistence due to the poor market of the items produced in a very highly unorganized and isolated environment.
It is estimated that Odisha houses about 1.50 lakh artisans. Interestingly, they constituted 22.78 percent of the total manufacturing, processing, servicing, and repair sector workforce of the state. The total amount of production generated by the handicraft sector is about Rs.150.00 crore. The direct export of handicraft goods exported to foreign countries is around Rs.5.00 crore. The export-oriented crafts of the state mostly consist of dhokra casting including brass metal wares, stone carving, appliqué & patch work, silver filigree, natural fiber craft etc.
Administrative Set-up
The Directorate of Handicrafts under the administrative control of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department is looking after promotion and development of handicrafts industries in the State with the following mandate:
- All-round development of handicrafts sector.
- Ensure sustainable livelihood for existing artisans
- Maximize employment opportunities
- Preservation of craft heritage
- Transform Odisha into a brand name in Handicrafts
- Enhance Odisha’s share of export of handicraft goods
- Welfare of artisans
The following state-level organizations are functioning under the administrative control of this Directorate to facilitate the development of the Handicrafts Sector:
Odisha State Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd
State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts
At the district level, respective Assistant Directors(Handicraft) are implementing various schemes and programmes of the Directorate.
