Bhubaneswar, Feb. 18: An exhibition of the state's indigenous crafts concluded today at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

A team of experts had trained 35 young designers for six months by conducting workshops with artisans from all over the state. As an outcome, the artisans fashioned the crafts based on designs created by the students.

An initiative of the development commissioner (handicrafts), under the aegis of the Union ministry of textiles, the young designers were trained as part of the design mentorship apprentice programme to hone their skills. Fine arts and fashion designing graduates were invited to send in applications for the six-month programme.

Eminent designers such as Dinanath Pathy, Ramahari Jena, Arnab Paul, Vivek Ranjan, Biranchi Prasad Sahu and Chintamani Biswal were made mentors for the youngsters in the six-month-long programme on the institute's campus. In multiple theoretical sessions and workshops in traditional, modern and contemporary arts and crafts, the designers got an exposure on new patterns and traditional craft styles.

The students were divided under one mentor and each team took up a craft form such as bell metal, dhokra, appliqué and pattachitra - out of which they created utility designs. The students visited the traditional craftsmen from the Bonda, Kondh, Paraja tribes as well as artisans in Dhenkanal, Old Town of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Pipili.

"We interacted with the artisans and they were extremely happy to create the designs made by the youngsters. They have also expressed why they do not have the freedom to work on new designs due to the added expenses. It was an impressive learning process for both the designers and the artisans," said Vivek Ranjan, who mentored the designers specialising in filigree.

Patta paintings were created on wooden surfaces to create utility articles such as alphabet cards and storage as well as jewellery boxes, key rings out of coconut shells, dining mats and trays, paperweights and playing cards - inspired by traditional Ganjapa cards.

"We have been informed about various government schemes such as loans and subsidies for upcoming handloom and handicrafts designers from the state. Most of us have plans to set up design studios, and we would love to contact authentic artisans to create Odia handicrafts for the contemporary market," said Basumati Raul, a 20-year-old designer.