Bhubaneswar: Master craftperson from Odisha, Bijay Kumar Parida has been conferred with the prestigious Shilp Guru Award for the year 2018 for Palmleaf engraving.
Total 30 Shilp Guru Awards and 78 National Awards for the year 2017, 2018 and 2019 were presented to master craftspersons, 36 of whom are women, by Vice Preisdent Jagdeep Dhankhar at a function organised by Ministry of Textiles in Delhi on Monday.
As many as 10 craftsmen from Odisha were honoured with the National Award for outstanding craftsmanship in different craft categories. They are:
Rakesh Kumar Maharana – Stone Carving
Biranchi Narayana Behera – Painting
Pradeepta Kumar Nayak – Straw Craft
Sabita Mahapatra – Pattachitra Painting
Swarnalata Mahapatra – Tasar painting
Ranjan Moharana – Stone Carving
Santosh Senapati – Palm leaf Engraving
Sanghamitra Maharana – Pattachitra
Rajendra Kumar Meher – Natural Fibre Tassar Silk
Kuni Patra – Straw Craft
Total 30 Shilp Gurus have been selected for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 out of whom 24 are men and six are women. The main objective of the awards is to give recognition for their excellence in craftsmanship and valuable contribution to Indian Handicrafts and textiles sector.
The Shilp Guru Awards are given to legendary master craftspersons in recognition of excellent craftsmanship, product excellence and the role played by them as gurus in the continuance of crafts to other trainee artisans as a vital part of traditional heritage.
The Awards were started in 2002, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the resurgence of Handicrafts in India. The Award consists of a gold coin, Rs 2 lakh prize money, a Tamrapatra, a shawl and a certificate.
Total 78 craftspersons have been selected for the National Awards for the year 2017, 2018 and 2019 including 2 design innovation awards where a designer and artisan collaborate to create a unique product.
The National Award consists of Rs 1 lakh prize money, a Tamrapatra, a Shawl and a certificate. The main crafts for which the Awards have been given are:
Metal Engraving, Chikan Hand Embroidery, Khurja Blue Pottery, Mata Ni Pachedi Kalamkari, Bandhani, Tie & Dye ,Hand Block Bagh Print, Warli Art, Stone Dust Painting , Sozni Hand Embroidery, Terracotta, Tanjore Painting, Sholapith, Kantha Hand Embroidery, Palm leaf Engraving, Brass wire inlay on wood, Wood Tarkashi, Madhubani Painting, Gold Leaf Painting , straw craft etc.
