CHANDANPUR,A HUB FOR HANDLOOMS

                                      CHANDANPUR, A HUB FOR HANDLOOMS

The most promising part of Odisha is the existence of handlooms in various forms. The tradition carry in a most beautiful way by the weavers of Odisha. The cotton hand looms are also a notable feature of weaving sector. Among all ,the weaver community at Chandanpur are very creative to weave the cotton materials.

It is very essential to make a visit there for the direct interaction with the artisans.Chandanpur is basically 10km distance from Bangiriposhi. There is direct communication from Baripada  by train or local bus upto  Bangiriposi. The distance between Baripada to Bangiriposi is 36km.One can hire taxi upto Chandanpur. But,it is always very enjoyable to travel by local transport.

Though Chandanpur is very small village amidst greenery and paddy fields, villagers are depending upon the farming of rice and weaving of various materials by their looms..

Dumuria Cooperative Society is there. Which is looking after the supply of raw materials 

among weavers and after finishing of the products they are handover to the supervisor of the Society.

Once reached there one could awestruck to see the marvelous working of the artisans. The senior weavers are very perfectionists to weave anything under their supervision.  The finishing touches are very fine and the traditional design display on the cotton materials.

Most of them are skilled artisans and their schedule of work in a day is very hectic and stressful. No proper facility is there by which they can do their work properly. 

I met with a numbers of people of that village who are associated with this work since many years. No options are there for them except this work. They wish good return of wages for their work. Alas,their hope and expectations  are remaining within their dreams only. 

They are feeling very proud to give 10 to 12 hours a day for weaving. Most of them are very senior in age. They are taking this opportunity as a destiny of their own and willing to give this art to young generations. 

While discussing regarding the various aspects of their work they informed that the raw materials that they received through cooperative society from Tamilnadu and Karnatak. 

Gamccha,Stoles,Cotton Sarees are mainly weaved through their the looms. Designs are created by a sections of experts.The smoothness of the fabrics and the organic colors are the favorable point which attracts the customers demand.

The patterns and designs that they bring from their traditional art.  The flower motifs,animals and the wheel of konark temple they depicts on the clothes. Stoles are so beautifully woven that one cannot resist oneself to bring at least a set of dozen.

While roaming around their villages it's a great relief to see their support to each other. The village itself is very organically producing everything for themselves. 

The cooperative society is giving training to the young ones and providing stipends also. Still few people expressed their plight for not getting any good return of their work.

If opportunity available then I wish each one of us must visit to this beautiful village where so many artisans are living and they are the main backbone of our traditional art.

Give them opportunity to be a part of this revolution.  The art can get great exploration by the popularity of their weaving skills. Use their beautiful Gamccha and Stoles and proudly say this is our best bet for the future  styles for fashion .

Sapna Acharya
Travel Writer
Dt-21.4.2020