Utkalika Handicrafts and Handloom Exhibition Begins in Balasore
Balasore, Dec 20 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): A handicrafts and handloom exhibition has been launched in Balasore by Utkalika, the Odisha State Cooperative Handicrafts Corporation, under the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department of the Government of Odisha.
The exhibition, which was inaugurated on Friday, is being held at Surabhi Plaza premises near Sahadevkhunta Bus Stand in Balasore town and will continue until January 18, according to sources.
The event, organised with the support of the Odisha Government and the Directorate of Handicrafts, was formally inaugurated by District Collector Surjyabanshi Mayur Vikas, who attended as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, the Collector expressed hope that at a time when public interest in indigenous products is steadily increasing, the handloom and handicraft items crafted by skilled artisans of Odisha would meet the growing demand of consumers in Balasore.
Several dignitaries were present at the inaugural ceremony, including Utkalika Managing Director Mamata Nayak, former Managing Director Kalyani Pattnaik, Utkalika Vice-Chairman Prashant Mahapatra, Assistant Director of Handicrafts, Balasore Dhan Tudu, and District Artisans’ Association President Uday Mahanty, among others.
The month-long exhibition will remain open until January 18 and features a wide range of traditional crafts such as stone carving, wood carving, Pipili appliqué work, Pattachitra paintings, terracotta, Dhokra casting, silver filigree, and handicrafts made from cane, bamboo and glass. Handwoven textiles and other traditional products are also available for visitors.
According to the organisers, ten skilled artisans from different parts of the state have been provided the opportunity to sell their handcrafted products at the exhibition. The event has generated considerable enthusiasm among local residents, with a large number of visitors attending daily to purchase handicraft items and experience Odisha’s rich craft heritage firsthand. Organisers expressed hope that the exhibition will not only provide artisans with a suitable marketing platform but also play a significant role in promoting and preserving Odisha’s handicrafts tradition.
