Programme Updates

The exhibition is closed, but you can still explore Pipili appliqué here.

OCO Fellowship Programme 2025-26

This project aims to explore and highlight the rich Chandua craft traditions of Odisha. By working closely with artisans and studying regional practices, it traces the histories, techniques, and cultural meanings embedded in this art form. The focus is on acknowledging its diverse narratives and preserving the knowledge that continues to shape this significant craft tradition.

A collaboration between

OCO Fellowship 2025-26 starts on

7th December

MGM Foundation

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Bhubaneswar Experimental Art And Design Studio

Residents list:

Raj Maurya, Madhulika S Naidu

Vision

This project aims to blur the binary between art and craft, integrating craft practices into pedagogy, exhibition, and cultural history writings.

Dhokra (left) and appliqué craft of Pipli (right) in a stark contrast

Our Story

Odisha Craft Odyssey (OCO) is a collaborative programme between MGM Foundation and BEADS. The project envisions creating an inclusive cultural platform that highlights the craft practices of Odisha, challenging the conventional hierarchies between fine arts and crafts in South Asia.

Odisha Craft Odyssey

Tribal painting of Dongria Kondh from Niyamgiri

The Bell Metal Craft of Odisha

Metal crafts in Odisha boast a rich history, flourishing since the Ganga Dynasty in the 11th century and continuously developing to this day. The village of Balakati in Khordha district stands out for its traditional production of brass, bell-metal utensils, and temple articles. This craft is said to have truly taken root around 1400 AD.

Brass and bell metal, considered “pure” metals, are the primary materials for these utensils. Stepping into Balakati, you’ll be greeted by the rhythmic sounds of hammering and the focused energy of craftspeople.