Applique Works || Lacquer  || Stone Carving  || Papier Mache || Tribal Combs  || Horn Work ||
Silver Filigree  || Wood Carving   

       The roots of many of the handicrafts of Orissa are in one way or the other inter wined with the rituals and traditions of Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of the Puri temple. 'Applique Work' is a technique by which the decorative effect is obtained by superposing patches of coloured fabrics on a basic fabric, the edges of the patches being sewn in some form of stitchery. Dhokra or Brass and Bell Metal craft is perhaps the single most important craft in terms of the number of artisans engaged in its practice as in its close links with the daily lives of the people of the State.

       Horn articles of Orissa are mystical and are blended with a superb fashion design. Available in widest spectrum of items like combs, pen stands, cigar pipes, decorative figures, their lively appearance, dynamism and animation vie with the real objects of nature. 

      Lacquer Work is yet another form of handicraft Orissa is famous for. Lacquer, the refuse of an insect gathered by the tribals in the forests, is mixed with colors and applied on small cane boxes and terracotta figures. After several coats of lacquer have sealed the core, the surface is decorated with motifs borrowed from nature, geometric patterns and religious symbols. The visual power of colour and design combine to make an ornamental effect.

      Of all the handicrafts of Orissa the most unique and the finest, in fact the queen among them, is Silver Filigree, locally called tarakasi. The process consists of drawing silver through a series of consecutively smaller holes to produce fine strands of wire which are then made into various shapes by deft hands of the craftsmen by bending them into different designs and soldering them with pincer and scissors. Silver used by the artisans is usually of high purity often exceeding ninety per cent. 

       Stone carving is a major handicraft of Orissa. As is evident from the innumerable archaeological monuments, rock-cut sculptures, caves and temples built for centuries and embellished with most beautiful and intricately carved statue and other adornments, the art of carving in stone had reached in Orissa dizzy heights of excellence perfected through centuries of disciplined efforts of generations of artisans. 

      An interesting contribution by the tribals to the handicrafts of Orissa is the art of Comb Making, known to only 12-15 tribes out of the sixty-two tribes inhabiting Orissa. A distinct feature of Orissan tribal community is that those who don't make combs, don't have to buy them. They can get a comb as a gift or in exchange of agricultural surplus from others. Since the socio-economic conditions, religious-cultural beliefs and tradition, and tastes of tribes differ from community to community, one can find a variety of designs, crafts, colours, shapes, sizes and materials in the tribal combs. The tribal comb bears the emotions of its makers' expression of love, and its takers' acceptance of it. This can be elaborated through the variety in design and usage of the combs in the following tribes. 

       Wood carving can be broadly grouped into three sub-groups - painted wood carvings, plain wood carvings and wood turned items. In the first group we have painted wooden toys of Puri and Bargarh masks, and idols and chariot decorations. Popular items are small pitchers with mango leaves and coconut, glass, bowls, and incense stands. It is interesting to note that although the process of wood turning with small hand operated wooden lathe is also used else where in India, the Orissa artisans prefer to leave the surface plain and they do not lacquer it like the famous toy makers of Chennapatna in Karnataka.