Odisha govt accords handicraft status to tribal paintings

Bhubaneswar: The state government has accorded handicraft status to tribal paintings in Odisha.

The paintings of tribes like Lanjia Saora, Saora, Gond, Dongaria Kandha, Kutia Kandha, Santal, Kolha, Juang and Oraon have been given handicraft status by the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts department of Odisha, said an official today.

Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Rita Sahu approved a proposal sent by departmental Principal Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee to provide handicraft status to nine tribal paintings, said the official.

The state government had earlier granted handicraft status to as many as 50 traditional crafts in Odisha. The list include appliqué work, leather work, artificial bonsai, silver ware, filigree work, terracotta, pottery, golden grass & cane works, horn work, Saris & other fabrics and stone and wood works, sources said.