CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Narayana on Elephant. A figure of Narayana on elephant who is identified with Lord Vishnu and is considered Supreme being in Vaishnavism, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal toys. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight toys are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Lakshmi on Elephant. A figure of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi on an elephant who represents wealth and good fortune and is consort of Lord Vishnu, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys and figurines as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal figures. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight figures are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Lakshmi on Elephant. A figure of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi on an elephant who represents wealth and good fortune and is consort of Lord Vishnu, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys and figurines as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal figures. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight figures are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Lakshmi on Elephant. A figure of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi on an elephant who represents wealth and good fortune and is consort of Lord Vishnu, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys and figurines as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal figures. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight figures are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. Back view of the object. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Lakshmi on Elephant. A figure of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi on an elephant who represents wealth and good fortune and is consort of Lord Vishnu, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys and figurines as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal figures. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight figures are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Lakshmi on Elephant. A figure of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi on an elephant who represents wealth and good fortune and is consort of Lord Vishnu, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys and figurines as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal figures. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight figures are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Man on Elephant. A figure of a man on an elephant, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal toys. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight toys are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Man on Elephant. A figure of a man on an elephant, made in cow dung. Cow dung, over centuries, has been used for making toys as an inexpensive alternative to wooden and metal toys. A lump of mixture of clay and cow dung is shaped and smoothened with a coat of chalk and then painted. These lightweight toys are generally coarse in design and lack detailing and ornamentation. This object has been loaned by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Hathi (Elephant). An elephant made of paddy. 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: Hathi (Elephant). An elephant made of paddy. 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: Elephant. A coir elephant used for decoration and symbolizes prosperity. For coir craft, coir, the fiber removed from the nuts of coconut palms is converted into toys and ornamental objects by tying and folding the fibers together in a zig-zag manner. The figures are made in parts and then joined together. Facial structures are added with colored wool, stitched on the figure. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Elephant. A coir elephant used for decoration and symbolizes prosperity. For coir craft, coir, the fiber removed from the nuts of coconut palms is converted into toys and ornamental objects by tying and folding the fibers together in a zig-zag manner. The figures are made in parts and then joined together. Facial structures are added with colored wool, stitched on the figure. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Elephant. A coir elephant used for decoration and symbolizes prosperity. For coir craft, coir, the fiber removed from the nuts of coconut palms is converted into toys and ornamental objects by tying and folding the fibers together in a zig-zag manner. The figures are made in parts and then joined together. Facial structures are added with colored wool, stitched on the figure. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Elephant. A coir elephant used for decoration and symbolizes prosperity. For coir craft, coir, the fiber removed from the nuts of coconut palms is converted into toys and ornamental objects by tying and folding the fibers together in a zig-zag manner. The figures are made in parts and then joined together. Facial structures are added with colored wool, stitched on the figure. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Elephant. A coir elephant used for decoration and symbolizes prosperity. For coir craft, coir, the fiber removed from the nuts of coconut palms is converted into toys and ornamental objects by tying and folding the fibers together in a zig-zag manner. The figures are made in parts and then joined together. Facial structures are added with colored wool, stitched on the figure. This object has been procured by Utkalika, Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.

Subject: Hati 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 is adorned in the Hati Besha or elephant attire on the event of Snana Purnima during which he is dressed like Ganesha, who bears the head of an elephant. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Hati 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 is adorned in the Hati Besha or elephant attire on the event of Snana Purnima during which he is dressed like Ganesha, who bears the head of an elephant. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Gaja udharana Besha of Lord Sri 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. The Gaja udharana besha depicts an epic story of Lord Vishnu saving a helpless elephant from the clutches of a crocodile. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Gaja udharana Besha of Lord Sri 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. The Gaja udharana besha depicts an epic story of Lord Vishnu saving a helpless elephant from the clutches of a crocodile. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Bankachuda 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. The Bankachuda besha is done on the eleventh day of bright fortnight of month Kartika, to commemorate Lord Krishna. Lord Jagannatha wears a golden headgear in this besha. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Lakshmi Narayana 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. Lakshmi Narayan Besha is also known as thiakia besha of Lord Jagannatha. It is done on eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartik. The worship of Lakshmi and Narayan has gained popularity in Jagannatha culture since the visit of saint Ramanuja. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC).

Subject: Lakshmi Narayana 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. Lakshmi Narayan Besha is also known as thiakia besha of Lord Jagannatha. It is done on eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartik. The worship of Lakshmi and Narayan has gained popularity in Jagannatha culture since the visit of saint Ramanuja. Back view of the object. 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: Hair Pin. This is a brass hairpin with an elephant motif atop that is used to secure the bun.