Stone Crafts
Artisans practicing the craft of stone carving in Orissa have remained largely tradition-bound while producing objects of ritualistic, decorative and practical use. Turned utensils for both cooking and serving and artifacts of tourist interest are made in Khiching located on the borders of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, from a semihard, grey stone which takes on a deep, dark polish, while beads and figurines are carved out of soft stones available in many shades of orange in Phulbani district.
Stone Crafts |
Theatre crafts
The Desiya Nata of tribal Orissa derives its distinctive style in some part from Prahlada Natakams and Jatras of the Hindus. Its colorful costumes - embroidered head-dresses and painted masks which adorn the key actors, and the use of imaginative props are a craft in themselves. Masks carved out of paper mache and sholapith, the weightless bark of a water plant, represent various gods, goddesses, demons and animals.