The crafts of India are varied and illustrate the economy, history, culture, religious beliefs, politics, material culture, societal formations and creative faculties of a civilization. The craftsmanship of many states of India reflects diverse cultural influences and has a significant narrative relating to its origins. For ages, crafts have served as an archive of culture and heritage in various communities in India. Every state of India narrates its tales of handicrafts. The wonderful artistry of handcrafted artifacts, the traditions woven in time, get eroded by automation and accuracy, which draw us towards the ‘sophistication’ of repetitive mass production in a capitalist society. This seminar will attempt to retrace the cultural stitches and record artisans’ voices by listening to handcrafted tales.

The crafts of Odisha are embedded in a richly diverse cultural history incorporating elements from different sources: tribal, pre-historic, Jain, Buddhist, Shaivite and Vaishnavite. The intermingling of various traditions, communities, belief systems, and regional contexts has led to the emergence of an organic craft culture in Odisha. Silver filigree work of Cuttack, bell metal craft of Nayagarh, appliqué of Pipli, dhokra Craft at Sundergarh, palm leaf engraving and painting of Ganjam, stone carving of Konark, patachitras of Raghurajpur, Puri and Paralekhermundi, Ganjam, comb making by the Santhali tribe of Kendujhar, jhotti painting by the Saura tribe of Koraput, the ikat of Sambalpur, the Brahmapur silk weaving, kotpad saris of Koraput, Dongria shawl of Kalahandi, are a few examples from the rich tapestry of handicrafts of Odisha. Through tracing the resonant echoes of craft traditions, the seminar will explore the handicraft heritage of Odisha. The weaving stories of handloom, the sound of bell metal craft, the legacy of filigree, and the crafted folk narratives in patachitra, are all traditions woven in time. We often lament the loss of inherited values, the gap in intergenerational craft-making skills, and often reduce craft to ‘local’, ‘rural’ or ‘domestic showpieces’ in an industrial, urban space. Why is there a significant lack of craft history in academic contexts, despite widespread discourses on the loss, neglect, and challenges faced by indigenous craftspersons? Why do mainstream conversations on crafts perpetuate stereotypes of aid and display a condescending attitude towards craftspeople? This seminar, which is part of a Research Project under the Vision Viksit Bharat@2047 funded by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), will attempt to deal with this elephant in the classrooms. If the sustainability and viability of the crafts are essential, then it is probably time to pause and rethink the arts and crafts discipline of Odisha/India and think about the need for ‘contact’ between academics and practitioners. The seminar will also explore the possibility of economic empowerment of indigenous communities and show how the careful study of the micro can lead to economic empowerment of the artisans which will ensure the shaping of a Viksit Bharat.

Suggested topics in this sub-theme include, but are not limited to:

• Mapping the Craft Culture of Odisha
• Rural roots to Global reach – handicrafts of Odisha
• Weaving traditions of Odisha
• Crafting Narrative of Odisha
• Metal culture of Odisha
• Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Artistic Traditions
• Eco artistry and sustainability in crafts of Odisha
• Myths and Motifs of handicraft
• Crafts and other Arts
• Crafts in other Modern Art Practices
• Contemporarising Craft Culture
• Craft and Gender
• Craft and Caste
• Crafted Memories and Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer
• Significance of Craft in Political Economy
• Role of MSME and Handicrafts Development Corporation
• Scientific Innovations in materials and minerals used in handicraft

Submit your Abstract (300 words) with a Subject Line "ICSSR Seminar" to ssctis@srisriuniversity.edu.in with cc to tarak.d@srisriuniversity.edu.in 

Registration Fees:

Students and Research Scholas: Rs. 1,000/- | Faculties: Rs. 1,500/- [incl. of 18% GST]

Important Dates:

Last Date of Abstract Submission

15.01.2025

Intimation of Acceptance of Abstract Submission

17.01.2025

Submission of Full Paper

28.01.2025

Seminar

11.02.2025 & 12.02.2025

Final Submission of Full Chapter

01.03.2025

Intimation of Selection of Chapter for Edited Volume

15.03.2025

* Accommodation (twin-share basis) will be provided at the University campus, along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner for two Days of the Seminar and a Seminar dinner on 10 February 2025.

** Railway Tickets (3EC /3AC) for the shortest possible route will be reimbursed subject to the availability of further funds.

For any further clarification please write mail to ssctis@srisriuniversity.edu.in

Convenor of the Seminar:

Dr Rindon Kundu,

Assistant Professor and Director,

Sri Sri Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies,

Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha,

Principal Investigator,

ICSSR VVB@2047 Research Project.

Co-Convenors of the Seminar:

Mr. Tarak Nath Das,

Assistant Professor of Painting,

Faculty of Arts, Communication and Indic Studies,

Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha

Project Director,

ICSSR VVB@2047 Research Project

Mr. Trinath Majumder,

Assistant Professor of Applied Arts,

Faculty of Arts, Communication and Indic Studies,

Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha

Project Director,

ICSSR VVB@2047 Research Project

Prof. Jatindra Kumar Nayak,

Chairperson,

Sikshasandhan, Bhubaneswar,

Project Director,

ICSSR VVB@2047 Research Project

For any inquiry write to rindon@srisriuniversity.edu.in or Call/WhatsApp +919038798770

https://srisriuniversity.edu.in/sri-sri-centre-translation-interpreting-...