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 Handicrafts of Orissa are stunning in their craftsmanship as they are mesmerizing in their simplicity and beauty. Easily available in the local markets of Orissa, do not let the chance of grabbing some of the handicrafts as souvenirs slip by, on your tour to Orissa with Tourism of Orissa tour packages.
Lets just see what the streets of Orissa can muster for you to do a double take and reach out for a gem amongst the clutter of Orissa's finest of handicrafts.
Applique work of Pipli is what I was talking about. Also known as Pipli work, besides its French name, the handicraft is created by sewing on patches of colored clothes onto a large canvas also made of cloth. Quite distinct from patchwork, the resultant effect of pure bold colors in floral and animal shapes emerging from a background of contrasting color is breathtaking in the simplicity of the colorful collage. Though exclusively practiced in Pipli, this popular handicraft is also sewn together by equally skilled professionals in the district of Khallikote, Parlakhemundi and Boudh.
The appliqué work that you can purchase on your tour to Orissa range from the items crafted in traditional forms, such as chanduas (canopies), chhati (umbrella), Tarasa, Jhalar (frill) and Batua (pouch) that are used in religious functions, to the more popular umbrellas, bags, ladies hand bags, wall hangings, lamp shades, be covers, pillow covers, letter holders etc.
Brass and Bell Metal work, especially the dhokra variety, is practiced by the Kansaris, Sithulias, Kantilo and Balkati tribes and is also available for you to see on tours to Puri, Cuttack, Ganjam and Sambalpur districts. The pifa style of metal work that involves continuous beatings is best exemplified in the cooking utensils such as tumblers, plates, cooking vessels etc.
Brass casting, practiced by Kansaris, can be bought in the form of idols like Radha, Krishna, Laxmi, Ganesha, Vishnu and Gurundi Gopal. Bells, lamp stands and lamps are the other popular brass casting items that you want to at least have a look at on your tour to Orissa. Items in Dhokra casting such as animals, human heads, kings, miniature replicas, images of Lord Ganesh and Durga also make for popular souvenirs on tours to Orissa.
Combs, pen stands, decorative figures and cigar pipes in Horn work; terracotta figures and small cane boxes in lacquer work; decorative items in papier masche; tribal combs and stone and wood carved items are some other handicrafts of Orissa that are popular with tourists for their finesse and superiority of design and artwork.
Another craft of Orissa that is unparalleled in its excellence of design and intrinsic energy is silver filigree. Especially a must see on tours to Cuttack, silver filigree work involves fine threads of silver worked into an assortment of shapes and patterns. Ornaments in silver filigree are a must buy on your tour to Orissa. When the thin blade of silver will caress your bare neck and cling to your ears, you will experience such harmony of spirit, which is attainable only by a yoga or ayurveda session in the rest of India.
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