Simple designs and appliqué work pulls buyers to Odisha handicraft exhibition

Festive season calls for traditional wear, adorning oneself with exquisite jewellery and also decorating one’s home.

Here’s a chance to do all this as Utkalika, an Odisha government handicrafts and handloom emporium, has organised an exhibition in the Navi Mumbai Tamil Sangam premises. With a wide variety of merchandise, the exhibition is a one-stop shop for beautiful hand-made items from Odisha.

From appliqué work on umbrellas and bags, silver filigree souvenirs, palm leaf engravings to dhokra castings, golden grass wall hangings, pattachitra paintings, the list is endless.

The handwoven items include Sambalpuri sarees and dress materials that use tie-dye process. It is a process in which parts of the cloth are tied before dyeing, so that the dye is not fully absorbed by the fabric. Tribal jewellery made of dhokra and brass include earrings, necklaces, among others items.

“Works of about 20 craftsmen have been displayed in this exhibition. Since we are well into the festive season, this is the right time to give people an assortment of items that truly represent Odisha’s handicraft and handloom scene,” said SK Bhola, branch manager of Utkalika.

Some of the artisans also explained in detail to interested customers, how some of the particular handicraft items are made.

Damodar Fatesingh has a stall of Pattachitra paintings, Tusser paintings and palm leaf carvings. “For palm leaf carvings, we join two leaves by stitching them together. Then, using a pencil we draw the required designs and since it is very intricate, an iron needle is used for the carving. Lastly, we use lampblack mixed diluted in water to give colour,” he said.

In the few days since it began, the most wanted items are the different types of sarees, mainly Sambalpuri. “Although it is traditional, the sarees have a sober look and design. This is the first time I saw Sambalpuri sarees and I really liked the simple design and the pattern.

The bedsheets and pillow covers also have similar designs and since everything is made of cotton, it is all the more likable,” said Vashi resident, Ratna Waval. The exhibition which began on Monday will continue till September 25.