Bhubaneswar: Metal crafts heritage of the state has come to focus at an ongoing exhibition being hosted here.

Crafts made of various metals such as brass and bell metal, dhokra casting, silver filigree, tribal jewellery and other related crafts from metal have been put up at the fair at Exhibition Ground.

The product range includes cooking ware, utensils like plates, bowls, glass tumblers, vessels, gong bells, small bells and so on.

"Metal craft is perhaps the single-most important craft in terms of the number of artisans engaged in its practice as in it has close links with the daily lives of the people of the state," said minister Snehangini Chhuria.

There are around 23,000 artisans involved in metal crafts. As many as 50 kiosks have been put up at the fair that is aimed at facilitating artisans, SHGs and co-operative societies to sell their products.

"My family has been involved in making horn art items since the past 22 years. This art form is a part of the cultural heritage of the state," said Dharmendra Sahoo, an artisan from Balakathi.

Artisans feel popularisation of the art form through fairs was necessary to promote it further.

"They are available in very few shops in the city hence selling it in the fairs that are regularly conducted in the city would increase its visibility," said Bishnupriya Sahu from Puri.

"This is a new beginning of innovations to translate possibilities into reality and also to empower artisans of Odisha," said Chhuria.