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THE EXQUISITE CRAFTS
OF ODISHA
AESTHETICS OF AN ANCIENT CULTURE:
Handicrafts play a very important role in representing the culture and traditions of any country or region. Handicrafts are a substantial medium to preserve rich traditional art, heritage, culture, traditional skills, and talents that are associated with people’s lifestyles and history. It’s rooted in traditions that come from community, culture and expresses cultural identity by conveying shared community values and aesthetics. It encompasses a range of utilitarian and decorative media including cloth, wood, paper, clay, metal, and more. These artistic works, as paintings, sculptures, basketry and utensils are typically produced in cultural isolation by untrained anonymous artisans of varying degrees of skill.
India is known for its ethnicity. As far as art and culture are concerned, India features among the most culturally rich countries in the world. The country is fortunate enough to possess some highly skilled artisans. They have increased the fame of Indian handicrafts globally. The panorama of Indian crafts celebrates many hues and shades of meaning that reflect interactions with social, economic, cultural, and religious forces. The traditional crafts manifest themselves in the temple architecture of the region as well as in the ubiquitous household products crafted with ingenuity from local materials and skills.
Despite the ruptures of history, invasions, and foreign occupation, the Crafts of India kept holding the legacy in many respects. The sustainability and viability of the crafts sector have become a necessity, particularly in an age of rapid communication and global change. Every state of India has its unique art that represents its cultural heritage. One of such states is ODISHA, which is prominently known around the globe for its magnificent historical importance. Odisha is very well known for her handicrafts which exhibit the skill and creativity of her artisans. Crafts involve technology as well as artistic skills. Any articulated product present in the sphere of creativeness should be termed as an “artistic handicraft”. A person who impersonates these unique handmade goods of different origins is generally known as a SILPI\ MOHARANA\ KARIGARA {all of which mean craftsmen}. The craft culture of Odisha reflects the firm base in this country’s age-old artistic traditions.
