T he
handicraft exhibition organised recently by Utkalika was
a tribute to the skilled craftsmen of Orissa. Carved mini idols
in Nilgiri paththar (stone), Patta paintings, papier-mâché,
art on palm leaves and silk saris were the main attractions
at the Handicrafts Exhibition held on the second floor of The
Institution of Engineers in the city. Utkalika is the Orissa
State Handicrafts Development Board. The handicrafts sale
was sponsored by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts),
New Delhi.
Wonderful wooden toys in different colours, coconut  shell
crafts like ice cream cups, wine mugs, dry fruit and spice
containers, ashtray, incense stick holders were novel for being
both utilitarian and beautiful enough to be displayed as showcase
pieces.
Straw mats and handloom saris in silk and cotton, woodcarvings,
embroidery, jewellery, brass and bell metal crafts were also
available at the exhibition. The items in linen included cushions,
aprons, bedspreads and carpets brought all the way from Orissa.
Eye catching Dhokra toys, lovely wooden panels, and delicate
appliqué work were the other popular pieces that attracted
the visitors.
 Shashi
Balakhare, the Manager of Utkalika said that many
of the Nilgiri paththar idols that had been put up for sale
at the exhibition had won awards. Among the stone carvings,
there were chariots, replicas of renowned temple idols and statues.
These exquisite creations were all within a height of three
feet. There were also small stone idols of Hindu gods and goddesses
like Krishna, Saraswathi and Ganesha among others.
There was a platform for "modern art" carvings
in both stone and wood. Among the Nilgiri Paththar stone carvings
few had been coloured in black, but most of them were left
in natural rock. Besides this, the traditional saris of the
state of Orissa were also on sale.
Orissa handicraft items are available at the following address:
Utkalika, #101, Centre Point,(Opposite Galaxy Theatre),
#56, Residency Road, Bangalore-560001.
Phone: 558 2744
| Photos and Text by
Y. Rama Mohan |
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