Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken up a plan to train artisans in 15 additional handicrafts, with the State Institute of Design and Art Craft (SIDAC) preparing a structured curriculum for the initiative.
A meeting was held at SIDAC, under the Handloom, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, to finalise the curriculum and training framework. Departmental Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta attended the meeting as chief guest, while Commissioner-cum-Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar chaired the proceedings.
During the meeting, the minister urged artisans to blend traditional skills with innovation to strengthen Odisha’s identity in national and international handicraft markets. This was followed by a detailed discussion with artisans on their skills, challenges, and training needs.
Officials noted that SIDAC currently operates 39 training centres across 26 districts of Odisha, offering training through the Guru-Shishya tradition, Craft Village Training Programme, and Master Craft Person Programme.
Officials also said the move aims to preserve Odisha’s traditional handicrafts, create skilled artisans, and support employment-oriented skill development. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Handicrafts Department, representatives of Utkal University of Culture and B.K. College of Art, and several national and state award-winning artisans, including Shilpaguru Sudhir Maharana, Rameshwar Munda, Bhimsen Khuntia, and Purushottam Mohapatra.
Odisha currently has 64 recognised handicrafts, of which state-level training is already being conducted successfully at SIDAC in six crafts – Applique, Terracotta, Pattachitra, Palm Leaf Engravings, Stone Carving, and Wood Carving. Officials said the success of this programme has prompted the decision to bring 15 more handicrafts under training.
The newly identified crafts include Coir Crafts, Jute Crafts, Solapith, Coconut Shell Crafts, Lacquer Crafts, Bamboo Crafts, Batik Printing, Tribal Jewellery, Palm Leaf Decoratives, Silver Filigree, Brass and Bell Metal, Seashell Crafts, Paper Mache, and the traditional Saora and Gond paintings.
The curriculum has been designed based on market demand, export potential, raw material availability, traditional significance, and employment opportunities. It covers a one-year, 1,500-hour training programme, including 1,450 hours of practical training and 50 hours of theory, with modules on design, product development, quality control, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and internships.
In line with the National Education Policy 2020, artisan-trainees will be awarded four credit points upon successfully completing their internship.
Officials said the initiative is expected to create more skilled artisans, preserve traditional crafts, improve product quality, and boost market linkages and earning opportunities for craftspersons across the state.
