Known as the land of nimble-fingered artists and craftsmen, Odisha boasts a very rich artistic tradition. The art and crafts of the state are now being used by many renowned interior designers to embellish homes and offices. The expert craftsmanship of Odia artists is gaining much wider recognition across the country.
Sunday POST interacted with a couple of interior designers who have used artefacts from Odisha to decorate the homes and offices of their clients.
Prachi Patnaik, an interior designer with extensive experience in designing hotels, offices and homes, said, “The trend of decorating rooms with handicrafts is in vogue. Many people these days want to give an ethnic look to their interiors. They prefer the exclusive decorative items of the state to give their home an exotic feel. The refined skill of Odia artisans comes into play here.”
Prachi elaborates on the many colourful crafts that are part of the artistic tradition of the state.
Carved stone
Sculpting stone into art and utilitarian objects is an ancient practice in Odisha. Putting a stone carved Ganesha at the entrance of the home not only enhances the elegance of the entrance, it is believed that the idol brings prosperity.
These sculpted idols are available in different forms and sizes. However, consulting an astrologer about the form of the idol is always advisable.
Pattachitra
Pattachitra, a cloth-based scroll painting with mythological narratives, is one of the ancient art forms of Odisha. The colours used in the painting are extracts of fruits and flowers and the canvas is prepared by coating the cloth with a mixture of chalk and gum made from tamarind seeds. This is the reason that Pattachitra paintings are expensive. Adorning a wall with a Pattachitra wall hanging enhances the appeal of the interior and it is worth the money spent. Printed Pattachitras are also available in the market but they are as different as chalk and cheese from the traditional ones. Besides, buying the originals helps to keep the art form alive and aids the artisans.
Silver filigree
Interior decoration is not complete if your home does not have the silver filigree works of Cuttack, locally known as ‘Tarakasi.’ Today, more than a hundred families in Cuttack are engaged in this craft. Previously, people used to wear filigree ornaments, but these days filigree works are used to decorate homes in the state.
Wall hooks, glass lantern, plant pot stand and French wall made of tiny silver beads or twisted threads give a graceful touch to the interior. You can have a Tarakasi-made Ganesh, ship, chariots and Jagannath as showpieces too.
Brass works
This is a tribal craft form that combines metallurgical skills with a wax technique to create articles of distinctive beauty. The price of these items is a bit high because of the metal and the labour involved in manufacturing. But the pieces are worth the price for their magnificence.
Brass flower pots, sword and sheath, mirror stand, and figures of different animals can be showcased in a display cabinet.
Applique work
The mirror-encrusted appliqué work of Pipili adds grandeur to a space whether be it the walls of a drawing room or the pooja room. Lanterns, umbrellas and even bags are used for home decor.
A wide range of curtains, bed covers, sofa covers, cushion covers, and wallpaper are available to choose from to break the monotony of a room.
Horn craft
This craft gained in popularity more than a century ago. Many utility items as well as decorative items are made from the bone and horn of animals. Horn artisans design articles like combs, flower vases, pen stands, cranes, lobsters, scorpions and their surface has a dark sheen that catches the attention of art lovers.
Coir craft
Among Odisha’s notable contributions to the arts and crafts of the country are the artefacts made from coir. The lightweight, yellow fibre is made into animal and bird designs used as decorative items. Some of the popular animal figures include horses, crocodiles and dinosaurs made from coir.
Engineer Sanjay Choudhury is popular for his unique theme based interior designing and he said, “Home decor fashion is incredibly transient, but one thing that always works is the touch of tradition. With the advent of Internet, more and more people are becoming home decor connoisseurs.”
The state has a lot of potential to offer and here are some colourful and unique ways to give your home a stylish and exotic feel with the use of some Odisha products.
Terracotta craft
Exquisite terracotta craft has been around for a long time. Archaeologists have found terracotta sculptures that are nearly 5,000 years old. However, now there is a resurgence of terracotta in home furnishing accessories as well in embellishing interiors. Terracotta adds an intriguing retro touch to interiors. A painted terracotta lotus pond with floating fish or tortoise is the most sought after home décor by the designers. During festivals, floating diyas in these lotus ponds create a picturesque environment in a room. Nowadays people are using these ponds with diyas instead of decorative lights. Also, terracotta items are widely used in kitchen decoration to give the space a traditional look. Though terracotta is associated with a rustic style, young interior designers have been favouring its use.
Tribal paintings
Tribal paintings that provide a glimpse of tribal lifestyle when displayed on the walls instantly grab the attention of visitors.
Handloom
A very innovative way to add an Odia touch to your home is to use Odisha handloom for sofa and cushion covers, pillow covers, curtains, bed covers and wall hangings among others.
The colourful handlooms will surely give a room a soothing ambience.
SOYONG, OP