CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Lekhani (Stylus). Lekhani is a metal stylus that is used for inscribing on palm leaf. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Ganjapa Cards and Box. Ganjapa cards are playing cards with an adaptation of pattachitra on them. The origin of the word ganjapa lies in the Persian word ganjifeh. In Odisha, ganjapa cards can be found in 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 suits. They are packed in a box that is also richly painted with motifs, designs and mythological themes. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Ganjapa Cards Box. This is a box in which Ganjapa cards are placed. Ganjapa cards are playing cards with an adaptation of pattachitra on them. The origin of the word ganjapa lies in the Persian word ganjifeh. In Odisha, ganjapa cards can be found in 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 suits. They are packed in a box that is also richly painted with motifs, designs and mythological themes. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Ganjapa Cards Box. This is a box in which Ganjapa cards are placed. Ganjapa cards are playing cards with an adaptation of pattachitra on them. The origin of the word ganjapa lies in the Persian word ganjifeh. In Odisha, ganjapa cards can be found in 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 suits. They are packed in a box that is also richly painted with motifs, designs and mythological themes. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Puppet (Monkey). Painted wood shaped into an animal (monkey) and used as a toy.

Subject: Puppet (Monkey). Painted wood shaped into an animal (monkey) and used as a toy.

Subject: Puppet (Monkey). Painted wood shaped into an animal (monkey) and used as a toy.

Subject: Puppet (Monkey). Painted wood shaped into an animal (monkey) and used as a toy.

Subject: Krishna-Radha on Kandarpa Hasti. In this straw craft image, Krishna and Radha are on a Kandarpa Hasti. Kandarpa Hasti, the heavenly elephant, is a popular theme in the context of Krishna Raas Leela. The other name of Kandarpa Hasti is 'Navanarikunjara' where nine gopis are entangled with each other to form the shape of an elephant. Straw craft is created by placing straw strand by strand to form a sheet and then cutting the sheet to create a patchwork for the desired shape. This is pasted onto a black cloth that has been mounted on a board. Images created are usually historical or religious. The Kandarpa paintings portray Krishna with the milkmaids or gopikas who are under the spell of his love, in different formations.

Subject: Krishna-Radha on Kandarpa Doli. The Kandarpa paintings portray Krishna with the milkmaids or gopikas who are under the spell of his love, in different formations. In this straw craft image, Krishna and Radha are enjoying the Kandarpa Doli (divine swing) formed by gopis. Straw craft is created by placing straw strand by strand to form a sheet and then cutting the sheet to create a patchwork for the desired shape. This is pasted onto a black cloth that has been mounted on a board. Images created are usually historical or religious. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Krishna-Radha on Kandarpa Ashwa. In this straw craft image Krishna and Radha are on a Kandarpa Ashwa. Kandarpa Ashwa, the heavenly horse, is a popular theme in the context of Krishna Raas Leela where gopis are entangled with each other to form the shape of a horse. Straw craft is created by placing straw strand by strand to form a sheet and then cutting the sheet to create a patchwork for the desired shape. This is pasted onto a black cloth that has been mounted on a board. Images created are usually historical or religious. The Kandarpa paintings portray Krishna with the milkmaids or gopikas who are under the spell of his love, in different formations. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Nabakeli. This straw craft image refers to Nabakeli, a pleasure trip by Krishna, on a boat rowed by the milkmaids or gopis in the Yamuna. Straw craft is created by placing straw strand by strand to form a sheet and then cutting the sheet to create a patchwork for the desired shape. This is pasted onto a black cloth that has been mounted on a board. Images created are usually historical or religious. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Nrusingha Wall Hanging. This is an appliqué wall hanging with the image of Nrusingha who is the man-lion avatar (incarnation) of the ten primary incarnations of the Hindu Lord Vishnu. The demon Hiranyakashipu was ousted by Nrusingha who emerged from a pillar and slew the demon at dusk on the threshold. 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: Lampshade. This is an appliqué lampshade. 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. Traditionally appliqué items are used for ritualistic practices but modern lamp shades such as this are used for decorative and utilitarian needs. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Dashavatara Door Hanging. This is an appliqué door hanging showing the dashavatara or the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The list of included incarnations varies across sects and regions. Most draw from the following set of figures, in this order: Matsya; Kurma; Varaha; Narasimha; Vamana; Parashurama; Rama; Krishna or Balarama; Buddha or Krishna; and Kalki. Such a door hanging is used to ward off negative energy away from 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: Kamadeva Wall Hanging. This appliqué wall hanging has an image of Kamadeva, who is the Hindu god of love and in some versions, the son of Lord Vishnu. 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: Dashavatara Wall Hanging. This is an appliqué wall hanging showing the dashavatara or the ten incarnations of Vishnu. The list of included incarnations varies across sects and regions. Most draw from the following set of figures, in this order: Matsya; Kurma; Varaha; Narasimha; Vamana; Parashurama; Rama; Krishna or Balarama; Buddha or Krishna; and Kalki. 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: Alata (Hand Fan). This is an appliqué Alata. 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: Trasha (Banner). This trasha is a heart-shaped wooden piece covered by appliqué with birds, elephants and flowers motifs and glass pieces. 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: Chhatri (Umbrella). This appliqué chhatri is an adaption of a traditional canopy that is generally used in the processions before deities to express their divinity. 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: Rooftop Chandua (Canopy). This is an appliqué chandua or umbrella-shaped canopy used to dress up the chariots during the processions. 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: Crane. This a decorative horn crane that symbolizes awareness and focus. Horn from cattle and water buffalo is collected and soaked in water to soften it. The design is then etched on the softened horn and heated to make it malleable. The heated horn is brought to shape by gentle pressure using a mallet and then smoothened using hand filing blades. Individual pieces are joined together to create a final figure. The final figurine is polished with charcoal ash and coated with coconut oil for a shiny finish. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Nabgunjara Wall Hanging. This wall hanging shows the mythical creature Nabgunjara that is a composite animal in which Lord Vishnu disguised himself in the Odia version of Mahabharata. It has the head of a cock, neck of a peacock, hump of the bull, a snake for tail, and the waist of a lion. Three of its legs are from a tiger, a horse and an elephant while the fourth is a human holding a flower or a mirror. Such appliqué wall hangings are used for good luck. 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 a peacock and floral design. 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.