Handmade in India

The southern district of Koratpur and the adjoining
Nawrangpur, Phulbani and Rayagada are the tribal hinterland
of Orissa. The region falls within the Eastern Ghat hills and
its fertile forests provide materials for building houses, tools
and musical instruments; and tubers and fruits for food. The
hills are home to tribes like the Santhal, Kondh, Gond,
Munda, Oraon and Bondo and their economy is based on
agriculture, food gathering, hunting and fishing. Many of the
craft objects made in this region carry religious or social
significance. Crafts and ornamentation are an intrinsic part of
tribal identity. Metal crafts like dhokra objects and brass
ornaments are made by traditional metal craftsmen for tribal
communities. The scarf embroidered by the women of
Dongaria Kondh trivbe of Rayagada district and worn by
them is unique to this region. Other crafts like wood carving,
lac combs and paintings were done extensively by the Kondh
tribe which they have discontinued because of unfavorable
economic conditions. Nawrangpur is well known for making
lac-coated bamboo objects. Bamboo is widely available in the
forests. Rice is the staple crop that is cultivated in the plains.
The innovative paddy craft, a speciality of this region has
emerged from the availability of this raw material.
ACCESS
The closest railway station to Koraput town is the
Vizianagaram Railway station in Andhra Pradesh. The twon
is also well connected by road to Vizianagaram. The
headquarters of other districts are connected to each other by
road. However, to access the village areas, it is advisabe to
hire private taxis.
1. Embroidery of a kapra gonda,
Dongaria scarf.
2. Rolling hills of Eastern Ghats,
Koraput district.
3. A bride waring tribal ornaments
made by goldsmiths in Pilika
village, Nawrangpur district.
4. Bamboo basket seller at a weekly
market in Chitkona near
Bissamcuttack.
5. A woman of the Dongaria Kondh
tribe.
6. Women in Nawrangpur heating
the lac strands for decorating
bamboo boxes, lakho pedi.
RESOURCES
Craft Raw Materials Sources
Dhokra
casting
Brass, Beeswax, Clay, Paddy
husk, Charcoal, Cowdung,
Firewood
Local market
Lac ware Lac Chandahani
forest in
Nawrangpur
Terracotta toys, Bamboo
products, Mirror pieces,
Colour powder, Plyboard,
Wooden toys, Coal
Kotpad sari Cotton yarn
Tribal
ornaments
Castor oil, Cowdung, Roots
of Al tree, Ash of burnt wood
Brass, Bell metal, Soldering
material, Coal, Sulphuric
acid, Nitric acid
Local market
Bargarh in
Sambalpur
Local market
Kodpad
Subclusters of
KORAPUT
Koraput district:
Tangniguda
Kotpad
Nawrangpur
district:
Jhoto Bal
Nawrangpur
Damnaguda
Papadahandi
Taragaon
Phulbani district:
Barakhamba
Phiringia
Rayagada district:
Bissamcuttack
Kurli
Hato Munigudav
Jigidihi
Crafts of
KORAPUT
Kotpad sari
Dongaria scarf
Dhokra casting
Tribal ornaments
Bamboo craft
Paddy and root craft