Paperman Media ( Bhubaneswar )- A meeting was held at the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC), under the Department of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, Government of Odisha, regarding the syllabus preparation and training for 15 additional handicrafts. The meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of Commissioner-cum-Secretary Mrs. Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, in the presence of the Departmental Minister and Chief Guest, Mr. Pradip Bal Samanta.
The meeting was attended by Mrs. Nivedita Prusty, Director of Handicrafts, Odisha; Mrs. Chinmayee Biswal, Member Secretary, SIDAC; Dr. Umesh Chandra Nayak, Representative of the Vice-Chancellor, Utkal University of Culture; Mr. Chhatrapati Baral, Lecturer at B.K. Art College, Bhubaneswar; Mr. Managobinda Jena; Santosh Mohanty; Bishnupada Mohanty; Soumya Surabhita Singh, Deputy Director of Handicrafts; Pramod Kumar Sahu, Principal Director and Head of CIPET; Mrs. Babita Mohanty from SIDAC; as well as National and State Award-winning artisans and Shilp Gurus including Sudhir Maharana, Rameswar Munda, Bhimsen Khuntia, Purusottam Mahapatra, along with fifteen local Master Craftspersons and the Public Relations Officer.
In today's meeting, with a focus on preserving Odisha's traditional handicrafts, creating skilled artisans, and developing employment-oriented skills, 15 additional handicrafts were identified for training by the State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC). A structured syllabus and training framework have been prepared for these crafts. Based on this, training programs will be launched very soon.
It is worth noting that Odisha has 64 recognized handicrafts, out of which state-level training is currently being successfully conducted at SIDAC for 6 handicrafts: Appliqué (Chandua), Terracotta, Pattachitra, Palm Leaf Engravings, Stone Carving, and Wood Carving. Building on this success, steps have been taken to include 15 more handicrafts within the scope of training.
The proposed 15 handicrafts include: Coir Crafts, Jute Crafts, Solapith, Coconut Shell Crafts, Lacquer Crafts, Bamboo Crafts, Batik Printing, Tribal Jewellery, Palm Leaf Decoratives, Silver Filigree, Brass & Bell Metal, Seashell Crafts, Papier-Mâché, Saora Painting, and Gond Painting.
This training course has been prepared based on various criteria such as market demand, export potential, availability of raw materials, traditional importance, availability of skilled master artisans, and employment opportunities. The one-year (1,500 hours) training program includes subjects such as raw material usage, design and drawing, product development, quality control, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, project work, and internships. Based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, provision has been made to award 4 credit points to artisan-trainees upon successful completion of their internship. Out of this 1,500-hour educational program, 1,450 hours will be dedicated to practical training and 50 hours to theoretical training.
Through this initiative, it is expected that a larger number of skilled artisans will be created in the state, traditional handicrafts will be preserved, product quality will be enhanced, entrepreneurship will be promoted, and market linkages as well as employment opportunities for artisans will increase.
A PowerPoint presentation was delivered during the meeting detailing the identification of the 15 additional handicrafts for training, as well as the curriculum and syllabus preparation. Following the PowerPoint presentation, the Honorable Minister called upon the attending artisans to blend their art and craftsmanship skills with innovation to further strengthen the unique identity of Odisha's handicrafts in national and international markets. He expressed that all artisans need to work with dedication toward preserving traditional crafts while expanding their market potential.
An interactive session with the artisans followed, during which detailed discussions were held regarding their skills, issues, and requirements. The artisans expressed that the training would enhance their skill levels and assist in their livelihoods and financial empowerment. From these discussions, it was highlighted that SIDAC operates 39 training centers across 26 districts of Odisha, where training is imparted to artisans through programs like the Guru-Shishya Parampara Craft Village Training Program, and Master Craftsperson Program.
Finally, Mrs. Nivedita Prusty, Director of Handicrafts, Odisha, delivered the vote of thanks.
