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Bhubaneswar, Oct 20: An exclusive terracotta craft exhibition Mruttika was kicked off at Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar Thursday. The expo was inaugurated by Chithra Arumugam, the commissioner-cum-secretary of the state handlooms, textiles and handicraft department.
Mruttika, an annual terracotta fair, is being organised by the Directorate of Handicrafts and Cottage Industries, Orissa. The eight day long fair will witness participation of 130 artisans from across the state. Artisans from districts like Jajpur, Keonjhar, Balasore, Subarnapur, Baragarh, Rayagada, Khurda and many others are expected to take part in the fair.
About 65 stalls are set up at the venue for the purpose.
Clay artworks — bells, candle stands, wall hangings, lamp shades, ornament boxes and containers of different shapes and sizes — are featured at the fair. Handmade terracotta items, earthen vases and traditional vessels also found its place at the fair. It witnessed good footfall on the first day as visitors appreciated the items showcased here.
Artisan Ranjan Kumar Rana from Baragarh showcased a variety of colourful earthen lamps. “Few days are left for Diwali and people will surely purchase these lamps. They are priced between `10 and `2,500 based on their size,” he said.
The handicrafts department has been conducting the exhibition since 2006 with the aim to provide artisans, self-help groups and cooperative societies with a platform to showcase their products and to create a market for such crafts.
“The department is providing support to help the handicraft
sector grow by organising such exhibitions. Such inititatives encourage the artisans to produce terracotta items and create
opportunities for self-employment.
Besides, online marketing has been introduced through ‘Utkalika’ for marketing such products,” said Sanghamitra Kanungo, the director of state handicraft and cottage industries.
Artisan Nakula Rana from Keonjhar said he has been participating in the exhibition since its inception and was quite satisfied with the support the government has been providing.
“I have done good business at each of the exhibitions held over the last ten years. I hope to do so this year also,” he said.
Sources from the handicraft department said they expect a turnover of `80 lakh from this edition of the exhibition, which concludes October 27.
