Bhubaneswar: Craft exhibition organised to support terracotta artisans

A terracotta craft exhibition, 'Mruttika-2019' was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, October 19, which aims to provide a platform for marketing of products of clusters and individual artisans. Speaking at inauguration event, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Development Commissioner, Odisha said it was a big opportunity for terracotta artisans to sell ir products directly to consumers, right ahead of Diwali.

'A big opportunity for artists'

"From past 13 years, we have been organising terracotta exhibition at State level. It is a big opportunity for artists to market ir products just before Diwali festival. In future, we will try to give more such opportunities to m", Mohapatra told news ncy ANI.  event is organised by Directorate of Handicrafts and Cott Industries, Odisha and will be held from October 19 to 25. Around 200 artisans from 20 districts across state are participating in exhibition. 

Odisha government's plan to help local artisans

Mohapatra also said that Odisha government is committed to providing help to local artisans and are looking at various ways to ensure better quality products in future. " government is providing training and or support to local artisans and we have planned to provide m with better technical support, design-led training, and loan facilities in future so se artisans can design and produce better products," he said.  Odisha government has approved as many as 50 different crafts which are practised by more than 1.30 lakh artisans in varying degrees dispersed all through state.

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artisans participating in 'Mruttika-2019' too expressed satisfaction with arrangements made at exhibition and hoped for good sales ahead of festival of lights. "I have come with many decorative pieces in this exhibition. Water fountains made out of terracotta is my speciality, I have been coming to this exhibition since past 8-9 years and sales are great. people prefer goods made of clay over ors," said an artisan at exhibition. Ar artisan added that "We are hopeful of good sales ahead of Diwali. This is a good platform for local artisans like us."

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(With ANI inputs)