Unique - Beautiful - Ethnic...

"A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist."

Orissa is famous for the variety of handicrafts that get created here. It encompasses a wide arena from jewelry, to paintings, to sculpture, to textiles.

PattaChitra, are paintings inspired by the beautiful, ancient murals painted on the walls of temples. Chitrakara, the artist, recreates these on cloth treated with chalk and tamarind glue, sometimes on Tassar silk. The themes of the paintings are based on scenes from religion like familiar episodes from Radhakrishna legends, scenes of epic stories, and folk lore. Palm leaf etchings and paintings too illustrate delicate and thoughtful figures in a majestic form.

Art is a tryst, for in the joy of it, the maker and beholder meet. Orissan sculptures are breathtaking in their poses and themes. Unique stone sculptures in Sandstone, Granite and Serpentine speak volumes in silence of the amazing creativity that the artist communicates to the beholder. The themes vary largely, but we can observe an inclination for various dance postures, many times erotic, and celebrating womanhood.

Dhokra, ancient art of brass sculpture and jewelry is also found in a very mature form here. Other art forms include filigree work, and handlooms, well appreciated throughout the world.