CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Banabhoji Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. This besha is done on the tenth day of dark fortnight of month Bhadrav, where the deities are ready to go on a picnic with cowherd friends. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Rajarajeswara Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are dressed up in royal attire in the month of Kartik Purnima. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Rajarajeswara Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are dressed up in royal attire in the month of Kartik Purnima. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Tahia (Head gear). Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Odishi dancers bejewel their heads with a decoration of white solapith flowers called tahia which is the highlight of the Odissi dance costume.

Subject: Tahia (Head gear). Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Odissi dancers bejewel their heads with a decoration of white solapith flowers called tahia which is the highlight of the Odishi dance costume.

Subject: Boat. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Solapith boats such as these are used during the ceremony of Boita-Bandana (worshipping of boats) in October or November during which for five consecutive days people gather near riverbanks or the seashore and float miniature boats in remembrance of their ancestors who once sailed to faraway lands (such as Malaysia and Indonesia).

Subject: Boat. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Solapith boats such as these are used during the ceremony of Boita-Bandana (worshipping of boats) in October or November during which for five consecutive days people gather near riverbanks or the seashore and float miniature boats in remembrance of their ancestors who once sailed to faraway lands (such as Malaysia and Indonesia).

Subject: Sarasvati. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Idols such as this Goddess Sarasvati are made by joining innumerable pieces together. Sarasvati is the goddess of learning and the arts, especially music.

Subject: Devimukha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns such as this devimukha or face of Devi.

Subject: Ganesha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. Idols such as this Ganesha are made by joining innumerable pieces together.

Subject: Krushna Balarama Besha of Lord Jagannatha. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. In the Krishna Balarama besha, Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra are dressed like Lord Krishna, Balarama and Yogmaya respectively on the thirteenth day of the fortnight of month Bhadrav. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Durga. Solapith craft uses the pith or soft inner core of the Indian cork tree for making decorative items. The pith is cut in different sizes and shapes for the design and assembled by glue. The pith is incised or removed to create ornamental designs and patterns. The artistry of solapith is seen in the intricate and ornamental decorations of goddess Durga’s idols during the ten-day long festival of Dussehra, to celebrate triumph of good over evil.

Subject: Batua (Wallet). This is an appliqué wallet that may traditionally be used to hold provisions such as pan and pan masala. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Shopping bag. This is an appliqué shopping bag with motifs of fish and tortoise. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Shopping bag. This is an appliqué shopping bag with motifs of fish and tortoise. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Tortoise Wall Hanging. This a wall hanging with appliqué tortoise motifs and ornamentation of glass mirror, plastic and wooden beads and metal bells, which is generally kept at door or window frames to invite positive energy into the house. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Tortoise Wall Hanging. This a wall hanging with appliqué tortoise motifs and ornamentation of glass mirror, plastic and wooden beads and metal bells, which is generally kept at door or window frames to invite positive energy into the house. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Fish Wall Hanging. This a wall hanging with appliqué fish motifs and ornamentation of plastic and wooden beads and metal bells, which is generally kept at door or window frames to invite positive energy into the house. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Fish Wall Hanging. This a wall hanging with appliqué fish motifs and ornamentation of plastic and wooden beads and metal bells, which is generally kept at door or window frames to invite positive energy into the house. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Trasha (Banner). This appliqué trasha is a heart-shaped wooden piece covered by applique with deer motifs and supported by a long wooden pole. It is associated with the procession for deities and kings to show respect. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items such as this trasha are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Binchana (Fan). This is an appliqué paddy binchana or fan that is a hand held fan usually used to fan deities in the temple. Paddy craft uses un-husked rice or paddy which is strung together using cotton thread to create chains, idols of deities, animal figures, garlands and floral arrangements and other votives.

Subject: Alata (Hand Fan). Alata (fan) is generally used for fanning kings and deities in the temple and is associated with dignity and pride. Appliqué is an art of cutting and stitching stylized and bold cloth designs onto a piece of base cloth which could be mounted on a frame. Appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices as well as for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Joupedhi (Nesting Box). Joupedhi or nesting box sets are trinket boxes in graduated sizes that are traditionally a part of bridal trousseau in Odisha. Bamboo craftspersons make the structure using either bamboo or cane and lacquer craftsperson applies successive layers of lacquer on it to create decorative boxes. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Joupedhi (Nesting Box). Joupedhi or nesting box sets are trinket boxes in graduated sizes that are traditionally a part of bridal trousseau in Odisha. Bamboo craftspersons make the structure using either bamboo or cane and lacquer craftsperson applies successive layers of lacquer on it to create decorative boxes. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.