Category: Odisha
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International Rural Women’s Day: 15th October
International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. – United Nations To celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity I start my journeys to the clusters I travel to for my work. Be it a […]
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#WomenWeSalute: Inspirational Tales Of Incredible Women
They’ve single-handedly planted entire forests, driven ambulances in WWII, and helped mothers bring healthy babies into the world. They’ve banded women farmers together and taught them how to increase their yield and market their products. They’ve aided and taught life skills to the visually impaired. They’ve plunged into the jazz scene and Hollywood with their dulcet voices […]
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An Uncommon Journey
Design in India permeates everything we do. Its in our clothes, our buildings, our temples, even in the pots and pans we use in the kitchen. In this plentiful land of many seasons and myriad languages, of ancient civilizations and constant influx of new peoples; every material possession has become a canvas for expression. It […]
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Koraput – Reviving Odisha’s Timeless Craft
Koraput – rough, coarse to the touch, yet soft on the skin and completely organic. Like a wildflower’s unrefined beauty, Koraput’s elegance lies in its unassumingness and simplicity. Woven for centuries in Kotpad – a dusty little town in Odisha, this fabric is entrenched in Kotpad’s regional identity. Traditionally woven by the Mirgan community, Koraput […]
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In a New Avatar: Dhokra Art
Who would have imagined fusing Brass and Rock together would create something so beautiful. Presenting Rock Dhokra by Devrai Art Village. Brainchild of Mandakini Mathur, a filmmaker, teacher and social activist and Suresh Pungati, an art teacher and an award winning adivasi craftsman from the Madia tribe. Under their stewardship, three ‘Dhokra’ artists from the […]
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Odisha Murals: Saura Tribal Art
Sauras are among the most ancient tribes of India, finding a mention in the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Ram’s devotee Savari in Ramayana and Jara, the hunter in Mahabharata who mortally wounded Krishna, are believed to have been members of this tribe. Like other tribes of India, the unique style, diversity and detail […]
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Divine Scroll: Pattachitra Art from Odisha
Pattachitra is a traditional art form from Odisha that is based on Hindu mythology. The name is derived from Sanskrit word for cloth “patta” and picture “chitra”, denoting cloth-based scroll painting. The art work is specially inspired by Lord Jagannath and the Vaishnava cult and all the colours used are naturally obtained. Since the beginning of the Pattachitra […]
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Bandha Re-Interpreted: The Famed Ikat of Odisha
Indian Ikat particularly from Odisha is admired for extraordinary illustration in resist technique. Nuapatna village in the cuttack district of Eastern Odisha is famous for the religious weft ikat textile – Geeta Govinda. It was inscribed with 12th Century poems of Jayadev written in the praise of Lord Krishna. In this village weavers belonging to […]
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Organic Cotton breathes a new life in Fashion
Summer comfort is defined by light, airy fabrics that breathe. This role often rests on the shoulders of the simple yet sophisticated cotton that is often referred to as “the fabric of our lives” and for good reason. We come in contact with it in varied forms in our daily lives and it has remained the […]
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Textile Discoveries
Excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro have unearthed bone needles and wooden spindles, clearly suggesting that homespun cotton was used to make garments. In fact, fragments of woven cotton have also been discovered from these sites. Historically renowned for it’s textiles, India’s woven love story dates back several centuries. The first mention of textiles in India […]
Storytellers of Wonder 