Bhubaneswar: As Odisha looks to give its traditional handicrafts a contemporary market push, 150 appliqué artisans in Khordha district received advanced tool kits on Monday, aimed at improving their productivity, product quality and earnings.
The tool kits were distributed at a programme held at Bhakarsahi under Banamalipur in Khordha district as part of an initiative of the Odisha State Cooperative Handicrafts Corporation Limited (UTKALIKA).
The initiative seeks to equip traditional artisans with modern tools so they can produce better-quality handicrafts in less time and cater to the changing demands of the market.
UTKALIKA, which has been working for the welfare and development of artisans in Odisha since 1959, provides market facilities, marketing support, raw materials and forward and backward linkages to artisans. It also plays a key role in preserving and promoting the state’s traditional art and handicrafts.
For the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26, the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, approved 1,200 advanced tool kits for artisans engaged in seven different handicraft sectors across 12 districts of Odisha.
The sectors covered under the scheme include appliqué, wood, stone, horn, iron, terracotta and brass metal crafts.
Appliqué, popularly known as Chandua work, is among Odisha’s most distinctive handicraft traditions and has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The craft is particularly associated with the state’s rich cultural heritage and traditional textile artistry.
Officials said the advanced tools would help artisans improve work efficiency, productivity, precision and the overall quality of their products. The intervention is also expected to help them reduce production time and respond better to contemporary market requirements.
The initiative is not limited to providing equipment, but is aimed at strengthening the skills of artisans, expanding their market opportunities and improving their livelihoods, officials said.
“The strength of handicrafts lies in the skilled hands of artisans. Modern tools will help take that strength to new heights,” said Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Pradeepp Bal Samanta.
The remaining approved tool kits will be distributed in phases during the current financial year.
UTKALIKA Chairperson Debasmita Sahu, Vice-Chairperson Prashant Kumar Mahapatra, Additional Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, and Managing Director, UTKALIKA, Chinmayee Biswal, Deputy Director, Handicrafts, Santosh Kumar Mahanti, Deputy Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, and General Manager, UTKALIKA, Sheshadev Khatua, Assistant Director, Handicrafts, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India, Odisha, Bhubaneswar, Bhuban Bhaskar, among others, attended the programme.
