Three-day Lacquer Doll Workshop Concludes at Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya: Over 100 Students Learn Traditional Craft

Balasore, 19/12 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): A three-day lacquer doll workshop, organised by Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya, Kalika, under Jaleswar block, concluded yesterday under the programme “Ama Sanskruti Ama Khelana” (Our Culture, Our Toys). The workshop had been conducted from last Tuesday with enthusiastic participation from students.

The inaugural session was presided over by the school Principal, Ranjita Tudu. Renowned artisans Kesu Das, Maya Nayak, and Rakesh Behera, along with art teacher Shaktipada Mandal, were present on the occasion and introduced the students to the cultural value and importance of traditional toys.

Addressing the gathering, artisan Kesu Das said that Indian toys, especially traditional lacquer dolls, are eco-friendly, affordable, and deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge systems. He expressed concern that people often prefer expensive Chinese and American toys, which strengthens foreign economies while Indian artisans struggle for survival. This, he noted, has led to declining interest among the younger generation in traditional crafts.

He further observed that while dolls are universally loved, the art of making lacquer dolls is itself a refined and creative craft. If mastered properly, such handmade toys can find markets both in India and abroad, helping to promote India’s culture, heritage, traditions, and artistic excellence globally.

Generally, lacquer is associated with bangles, jewellery, and woodcraft. However, very few are aware that lacquer can be applied over dried clay dolls to create colourful and durable lacquer dolls. During the workshop, more than 100 students learned this rare craft with keen interest. On the second day, students prepared clay dolls, applied lacquer coating, and shaped a variety of attractive toys. On the third day, a lacquer doll exhibition was organised at the school, where students displayed their creations and submitted a one-page explanatory note on the preparation process to the artisans.

At the valedictory session, certificates were distributed among the participating students. The workshop was conducted under the supervision of art teacher Shaktipada Mandal, with active cooperation from other teachers and staff members of the school, ensuring its smooth and successful completion.