Dokra works are at display at the handicraft mela

Ranchi, Feb. 15: Ten artisans from Orissa have assembled here to showcase handicraft made of seashells, stone powder, cidar wood, Nilgari stones, palm leaves and ?dokra?.

Organised by Development Commission, Handicraft Ministry of Textile, the local Bihar Club hall is housing the 10-day Orissa Handicraft Mela.

Vikas Saha, an artisan from Bhubaneswar, said they collect sea shells from Puri beach to make pen and agarbati stands, which are in great demand not only in India but in foreign countries too. It is exported to the US, England and Japan.

Foreign tourists, who visit Bhubaneswar, are the major buyers of such items. ?People here too are buying the handicraft items, which is unique for them,? he added.

Statues of Lakshmi, Ganesh, Goddess Saraswati and Ganesh chariots made up of stone powder in grey and chocolate brown have also found a place at the mela.

The stone statues of Goddess Shubodhra, Lord Jagannath and Balram are in great demand. The small statues are available in grey, white and chocolate colour.

Narendra Mohanty, an artisan from Puri, said the Konark Temple wheel made of Nilgiri stones have also attracted the art aficionados. Mitali Roy, a visitor at the mela, said, ?These handicraft items of original stones are not found here. The items of Orissa have an artistic touch.?

Artisans have also displayed their skills on palm leaves. Cards made of leaves adorned with fine needlework is unique. . The designs on palm leaves are made by skilled tribal artisans and it takes four days to make one card.

But even though the government is making all efforts to provide them a market, their skill is hardly recognised and appreciated, said Naresh, an artisan from Bhubaneswar.

?Pata Chitra is another art form displayed here. Vegetable colours on silk cloth give it an artistic look. Radha, Krishna and Ganesh figure in the traditional art form,? he added. The colourful wall hangings and lampshades with patch work and adorned with mirror works are also an attraction in the exhibition.

The ?dokra? artisans from Baripada district rued that they are no longer getting recognition. ?We had approached the government to revive the age-old art but nothing has been done so far. If the art is not revived, it would be difficult to earn our livelihood,? said another artisan from Baripada.