CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Man on a Cart. Odisha is known for its lineage of skilled artisans of terracotta pottery. Terracotta crafts being water and weather proof are popular as indoor objects as well as outdoor decoration. Products range from those belonging to ritualistic ceremonies to artifacts of utilitarian and artistic significance. This is a decorative object modelled as a man on a cart.

Subject: Man on a Canopied Cart. Odisha is known for its lineage of skilled artisans of terracotta pottery. Terracotta crafts being water and weather proof are popular as indoor objects as well as outdoor decoration. Products range from those belonging to ritualistic ceremonies to artifacts of utilitarian and artistic significance. This is a decorative object modelled as a man on a cart.

Subject: Man on a Canopied Cart. Odisha is known for its lineage of skilled artisans of terracotta pottery. Terracotta crafts being water and weather proof are popular as indoor objects as well as outdoor decoration. Products range from those belonging to ritualistic ceremonies to artifacts of utilitarian and artistic significance. This is a decorative object modelled as a man on a cart.

Subject: Man on a Canopied Cart. Odisha is known for its lineage of skilled artisans of terracotta pottery. Terracotta crafts being water and weather proof are popular as indoor objects as well as outdoor decoration. Products range from those belonging to ritualistic ceremonies to artifacts of utilitarian and artistic significance. This is a decorative object modelled as a man on a cart.

Subject: Tulasi Brundavati Chaura. In Odisha, goddess Brundavati is worshipped in the form of Chaura, which is a small temple like structure adorned with sculptures and with a Tulasi plant overhead. Tulasi Chaura is mostly worshipped by married women who want blessings for leading a prosperous family life. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Architectural Fragment. A fragment of the adhishtana (plinth) or basal molding of a temple. It shows a part of the head of a Vyala (mythical animal). This object has been loaned by the Odisha State Museum.

Subject: Shivalinga. An aniconic representation of the Hindu deity Shiva in stone. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This is an in-house artefact of the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Bowl. This octagonal bowl possibly serves a utilitarian purpose. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This is an in-house artefact of the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Naga. A stone Naga, a semidivine being in Hinduism and Buddhism. Here, he holds a sword and kamandala in his two hands. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This is an in-house artefact of the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Naga. A stone Naga, a semidivine being in Hinduism and Buddhism. Here, he holds a sword and kamandala in his two hands. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This is an in-house artefact of the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Naga. A stone Naga, a semidivine being in Hinduism and Buddhism. Here, he holds a sword and kamandala in his two hands. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This is an in-house artefact of the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Bed Lamp. A decorative bed lamp. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This is an in-house artefact of the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Bed Lamp. A decorative bed lamp. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This is an in-house artefact of the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Powder case. A powder case made of stone that has a scrollwork design on the basal body and the lid also has a scrollwork design confined in three shapes. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This is an in-house artefact of the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Balarama. Balarama is a god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is particularly significant in the Jagannatha tradition, as one of the triad deities. Balarama is depicted as light skinned, in contrast to his brother, Krishna, who is dark skinned. His weapons are the plough and the mace. Sometimes Balarama is considered one of the ten incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. Other legends identify him as the human incarnation of the serpent Shesha. He is the patron deity of farmers. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House Museum, Handicrafts Complex.

Subject: Balarama. Balarama is a god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is particularly significant in the Jagannatha tradition, as one of the triad deities. Balarama is depicted as light skinned, in contrast to his brother, Krishna, who is dark skinned. His weapons are the plough and the mace. Sometimes Balarama is considered one of the ten incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. Other legends identify him as the human incarnation of the serpent Shesha. He is the patron deity of farmers. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House Museum, Handicrafts Complex.

Subject: Balarama. Balarama is a god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is particularly significant in the Jagannatha tradition, as one of the triad deities. Balarama is depicted as light skinned, in contrast to his brother, Krishna, who is dark skinned. His weapons are the plough and the mace. Sometimes Balarama is considered one of the ten incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. Other legends identify him as the human incarnation of the serpent Shesha. He is the patron deity of farmers. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House Museum, Handicrafts Complex.

Subject: Kalki. Kalki or Kalkin is the final avatar (incarnation) of the Hindu god Vishnu, who is yet to appear. At the end of the present Kali yuga (age), when virtue and dharma have disappeared and the world is ruled by the unjust, Kalki will appear to destroy the wicked and to usher in a new age. He will be seated on a white horse with a naked sword in his hand. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House Museum, Handicrafts Complex.

Subject: Shiva . The Hindu god Shiva is represented here wearing a garland of skulls around his neck and carries in his hands a deerskin, a trident, a small hand drum and the fourth hand is in abhayamudra (gesture of fearlessness). We also see Shiva’s vehicle in the world, his vahana, the bull Nandi. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House Museum, Handicrafts Complex.

Subject: Krishna (Makkan/Labani Chora). Krishna is worshipped as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is also as a supreme god in his own right. Here Krishna appears with a dahi handi (yoghurt pot) referring to the legend of Krishna stealing butter and other milk products as a baby. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House Museum, Handicrafts Complex.

Subject: Alasi Nayaika. Nayaika translates to’ heroine’. Sculptures of nayikas in various roles and moods are commonly found in temples of Odisha. These are meant to depict facets of social life along with other sculptures. The lady in this sculpture is stretching her arms upwards. This object has been procured from State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House Museum, Handicrafts Complex.

Subject: Wooden plank of Lord Jagannatha & Balabhadra. The wood carving of Odisha exhibits a perfect blend of classical and folk elements. The wood items of the place are meant both for decorative and functional use. This is a wood carving of Lord Jagannatha and his brother Balabhadra. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Banana Tree. This is a collapsible banana tree that can be fit in a box and used for gifting and decoration. Odisha’s most recognized craft is stone carving. Odisha’s maharanas (stone carvers) sculpt in stones with simple tools by first outlining the figure on a stone block. The outline is incised to mark the shape of the motif and then the figure is carved. Stone carved sculptures are made for iconic sculptures from Odisha’s temples and idols of Hindu deities. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Horse. This is a painted wooden horse. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. Animal figures are a popular theme. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.