Applique work of Pipli in Orissa drawing foreigners to Puri

Orissas appliqué work that has traditionally been used for decoration during the world famous Chariot festival of Lord Jagannath is now attracting foreign tourists visiting Puri for the first time.

By Sarada Lahangir

Pipli (Bhubaneswar), Oct.6 : Orissa's appliqué work that has traditionally been used for decoration during the world famous Chariot festival of Lord Jagannath is now attracting foreign tourists visiting Puri for the first time.

Coming from all corners of the world, these tourists find appliqué art entrancing, as it can also be used for various ornamental purposes back at home. Most of them are eager to buy these attractive pieces of appliqué thus leading to increase in its demand.

The special artwork has actually been a family tradition for residents of Pipli town, a tiny town near Bhubaneswar. .

Appliqué is a decorative trimmed art made with one material and attached to another by sewing and gluing. Over the past decade, even saris and assorted household linen are being lent the touch of appliqué art and their demand is on the rise.

"It can be used for decorative items for the home decoration. It can also be used for the decoration of deities. Since the past two to three years, people have been using it as a decorative item in marriage ceremonies. Moreover, foreign tourists ask for these in particular. Its demand has increased over a period of time to manifolds," said Sheikh Rahim, an artisan.

Appliqué work has been an integral part of the temple tradition. Its main centre of production is in and around Pipili, a tiny town near Bhubaneshwar.

The appliqué work by Pipli artisans has traditionally been used as canopies during the Chariot festival or Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra in Puri.

Meanwhile, to meet the increasing demands, the local appliqué work businessmen and manufacturers have involved many artisans besides taking machines on lease for a speedy output.

"The work is done depending upon the size to be crafted. I have been doing this work for the past two-three years. We are 10 craftsmen working here and those engaged in the hand woven or knitting work are nearly 200 to 300 workers," said Sumitra Dass, an artisan.

Tiny mirrors in a whole range of geometrical shapes of polygons and designs are encapsulated by thread embroidery to create a striking work of art.

Four basic traditional colours, red, yellow, white and black are used, while green has been added in recent times in the appliqué art form.

Pipili's applique work finds a good world market, receiving huge export orders.

"These are used for various purposes. It goes to big star-rated hotels and used as side walls or garden umbrellas. It can be used anywhere. Earlier we had cotton material to work upon but now the demand for velvet has increased," said Rajiv Singh, a shopkeeper.

Apart from traditional designs, one can opt for designer appliqué products.

"Whatever could be made, we try to craft that. We also give the designing work to the girls so that they can make it in their homes. Even they earn some livelihood while sitting at home," Rajiv added.

Pipili is a premier handicrafts centre producing a fascinating range of appliqué products in an array of shapes and sizes and in brilliant hues.

The colourful products range from awnings, canopies and wall-hangings to decorative pieces of Kundini-worked cotton fabrics which reflect a dazzling display.

In the recent times, the appliqué art novelties such as attractive animals, birds, flowers, leaves and other decorative motifs have been used to add more of glitter to household lampshades, garden umbrellas and even handbags.

This traditional cottage industry has been the backbone of several families and hired artisans of Pipili. Many families have taken up appliqué art as traditional profession on seeing the lucrative returns.

ANI