Wood carving of Puri, India.
In the May of 2019, I along with a few of my colleagues visited Puri, India. We spent nine days studying the traditional woodcraft. After observing, interacting, and learning from the craftsmen themselves we documented a plethora of invaluable insights into the rich heritage of Puri and its craftsmen. I decided to create a booklet that shares those insights in a way that is comprehensible regardless of having an art and design background. Generational craft in India is the foundation on which we have built our art and design industry and I found it imperative that these crafts be embraced and fed the recognition they deserve.
My initiative was welcomed by my mentor Prof. Mahendra Patel who gave his crucial advice and feedback throughout the design process of this booklet. The booklet's publication was endorsed by Symbiosis Institution of Design.
The 22-page booklet is divided into three sections. It starts with an introduction to the craft and culture of Puri. Woodcarving is an integral part of the daily lives of villagers. For some it is the only source of income, it is their pride. But even the ones who do not rely on craftwork for survival learn carving from their parents and embrace it as a part of their identity. The first section is a peek into the subject matter and how the religious beliefs of people inspire and influence their craft.
Page layout is inspired by the technique used by artisans to fuse different materials in their artwork.
This section focuses on the creative process and unique techniques used by craftsmen to create the detailed products Puri is famous for. It also gives an introduction of one of the artisans who helped us understand the relevance of wood carving in the village and taught us the basics of wood carving too. Artisans today are not afraid to experiment with contemporary themes and use different materials like stone, leather, and jute in their craft. Chitrashan Moharana is one of those pioneers who're reinventing the field of woodcraft in Puri.
Wood carving gives the people of Puri respect, purpose, meaning, and survival. But it doesn't give them the money they deserve for their craft. There is a flipside to the otherwise rich and staggering culture of Puri. The legacy of craft clusters in India is at the mercy of the modern-day market. The struggle these artisans go through not only to distribute and sell their products but also to create them is always ignored when we talk about the craft. Lack of proper equipment, dark and hot working conditions, bullying by the big distributors, and a general insufficiency of business education amongst the artisans make them vulnerable to the deadweight loss in the free market.
Special thanks to Abhilash Baishya and Kartik Khandekar for the amazing photographs.
