Handicrafts of Orissa

Apart from that, the Sun Temple of Konarak, the Rajarani temple of Bhubaneshwar, the caves in Udaygiri and Khandagiri are also major tourist attractions in Orissa. These places are not only popular as places of pilgrimage but are also popular across the world as specimens of ancient art, sculpture and architecture. But apart from these, the handicrafts of Orissa are also very interesting things to see and attract lot of tourists too.

Handicrafts of Orissa and the artistic skill of the people of the state are popular all over the world. Handicrafts of Orissa are some of the oldest forms of traditional handicrafts of India and are deeply related to rituals and traditions of Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of Puri. Handicrafts of Orissa are of different forms. Applique work, which is a unique technique of decorating fabrics by stitching is one of the most popular forms of handicrafts of Orissa. Small pieces of cut fabrics are joined side by side to make large piece of cloth. Applique work is also a fine technique of repairing damaged cloth.

Speaking about handicrafts of Orissa, one must not forget to mention about the metal work or metal craft which is done on dhokra or brass and bell metal. Metal work is basically a handicraft practiced by the people of Kansari caste. Silver filigree which is locally known as 'tarakasi' is also a very important part of handicrafts of Orissa. Silver filigre or trakasi is mainly an art of Cuttack district and a few villages in its surrounding areas. Silver filigree is actually a wonderful art of drawing silver through a number of small holes to produce fine strands of wire and then the fine silver wires are made into different shapes by craftsmen by bending and soldering with scissors and pincars.

Stone work which is clearly visible from the temples and archaeological monuments, wood carving, horn work and textile work are also important forms of handicrafts of Orissa.

Keep browsing through the pages of the website for acquiring further knowledge on living cultures in Orissa.