Whenever the thought of vibrant craft heritage of Odisha comes to our mind, it generally can’t go beyond the vibrant Pattachitras as well as the magnificent stone carved temples. But hidden among these over popularized artforms, there are still lesser known forms of heritage, which carry the immense cultural pride of Odisha within themselves, one of which is the Lacquerware art. This native craft traces back its humble beginning from the naturally abundant bamboo, wood and cane, transformed into dazzling and glossy crafts considered as the colorful treasures, which have been created using the ancient techniques inherited through generations as a part of their intergenerational knowledge system.
Background and Origin
Origin of this unique craft traces back to the historical period, when the land of Koshala (modern day Western Odisha and some districts of Chattisgarh) and Kalinga, both of which had one of the important trade routes during the historical period, having a complete control over the trade routes linking Eastern India with South India. Presently this artform is only surviving in the Nabarangpur and Baleshwar district of Odisha and it is believed among the scholars that this craft developed parallel to other village based artisanal practices, which were primarily dependent upon the raw material available naturally such as bamboo, wood, lac resin. Another group of historians suggest that this lacquerware tradition of Odisha might have evolved as the result of cross cultural transmission among the merchants from different regions (such as Chattisgarh and Jharkhand), where lac cultivation was very common. But, when we are speaking in the context of Odisha, this art form took a unique turn, which combined aesthetics, religion, symbolism with the indigenous culture. Traditionally, the Gudia and Maharana communities specialized in this craft, who crafted a wide range of toys, bangles, and other ritualistic objects, subjected towards the local festivals and weddings. The village fairs and temple towns evolved into commercial hubs where these lacquered made commodities were traded, which deeply incorporated this craft as part and parcel of Odisha’s s economic and cultural history, making it an indigenous adaption of ancient practices, reflecting its resourcefulness and spirituality.
Magical Relation of Lac and Colour
As its name defines, the primary agent used for this craft is Lac, a natural resin harvested from an insect, locally known as “Lakha Poka”(Kerria Lacca), which is then processed and colored using vegetables and mineral dyes. After they are processed, the artisans carefully apply a special coating made of this mixture on the handcrafted objects, which range from toys and jewelry boxes to bangles and other household items in multiple layers of lac. Once they are applied, these objects get hand polished or spun on a simple lathe to achieve a glossy finish. The entire process demands patience, precision and a very deep understanding of the natural materials implemented on the crafted objects, which can only be achieved with a skill mastered in course of time with practice. As a result of this process, a range of bright, bold and durable finished goods are produced, which are then painted with organic colors.
Motifs as a Rich Language of Symbols
The beauty in these lacquerware is not just limited to its color and shine, but also can be seen in their intricate set of designs and various motifs that adorn each handcrafted piece. These motifs are one of the finest example available, which exhibit decorative randomness, for which, each of the pieces carry spiritual, cultural and natural symbolic significance, conveying tales of tradition, belief and environment, some of which are:
- Floral Patterns: A multitude of flowers such as lotus, roses and creepers are one of the most common depictions in this craft, which symbolizes purity, prosperity and the beauty of life. Especially, the lotus symbol conveys a deep religious meaning in Indian culture, representing the beauty of the divine as well as the spiritual awakening.
- Animal Motifs: Many animals such as the elephants (symbolizing strength and wisdom), peacocks (symbolizing beauty and immortality), deer(grace and gentleness), and horses (showing vitality and energy) have made their way to the hall of depictions for this craft. These creatures are showcased in a rather highly stylized as well as flowing pattern, which depicts the connection between nature and mythology.
- Geometric Patterns: Not only these handmade crafts are immersed with floral and faunal symbols, but also house the numerous concentric and continuous geometric patterns, such as spirals, chevrons and zig-zag lines, which are widely used, symbolizing continuity, fertility, protection and the cyclical nature of life, which brings a harmonious aesthetic to this artform.
- Mythological Symbols: Ancient religious motifs like the Sun, Swastika and conch shells, which highlights energy, prosperity and purity, which are occasionally incorporated into designs, specially depicted on objects related to rituals and offerings.
- Folk Narratives and Daily Life: Several tribal interpretations also display different narrative based motifs, ranging from village life, festivals, dances and farming activities, which are depictions of rural existence and communal harmony.
Rooted in Rituals and Traditions
Apart from their immense beauty, lacquerware items have a much greater spiritual and cultural significance in the state of Odisha. Lac bangles are worn by married brides for better luck and a prosperous married life; lacquered toys are used as gifting materials during auspicious occasions and lacquered ware artifacts are also used in rituals and festivals like Raja Parba and Makar Sankranti. As mentioned earlier, Nabarangpur district of Odisha is considered the cradle of this craft, where particularly the Gudia and Maharana communities have preserved this craft for many centuries.
Challenges and Opportunities
Just like any other traditional handicraft, Odisha’s lacquerware artisans are also facing significant challenges in their generational profession due to multi-faceted factors such as rapid industrialization, abundance of synthetic substitutes and significant decline in the demand for these crafts, which are not inexpensive, are posing a huge threat towards it, yet, there’s a hope of light, that is the global initiatives like sustainable living and hand crafted goods has provoked public interest. Organizations like TRIFED and many local NGO’s are taking initiatives in making these crafts available to the reach of global audience for increased connectivity.
Conclusion
A living heritage that continues to evolve while holding on to its roots, yes! that’s what the lacquered craft of Odisha is, which justifies its definition as more than just an art. Every glossy toy played, every intricately patterned box used and every vibrant bangle that was worn carries it out in the annals of Odisha’s rich historical legacy, which goes beyond the envision of a culture. By appreciating such art form, we rejoice human creativity as well as a timeless connection to tradition, which sparkles lovingly on the object, denoting a important aspect of human life.
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