Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited annual terracotta exhibition, Mruttika-2024, commenced today at the IDCO Exhibition Ground, Unit-III, in Bhubaneswar. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department, who ceremoniously lit the inaugural lamp. The exhibition, organized by the Directorate of Handicrafts under the Odisha Government’s Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department, is set to run until October 30, 2024, welcoming visitors from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The exhibition’s core objective is to provide terracotta artisans with a unified platform to display their products, expanding their reach and business opportunities. This year, Mruttika has attracted more than 300 terracotta artisans from 27 districts, and organizers anticipate a business turnover of around Rs. 2.5 crore.
Special dignitaries attending the inaugural ceremony included Special Secretary of the Department Madhumita Rath, Director of Handicrafts Pranati Chhotray, Director of Textiles Shobhan Krushna Sahoo, Additional Secretary Bikramaditya Barik, and Joint Director Sisir Kumar Ratha.
A distinctive craft among Odisha’s 51 recognized handicrafts, terracotta has deep roots in the state, with approximately 36,000 artisans working in 40 designated craft clusters across various districts. The Directorate of Handicrafts has been organizing Mruttika since 2006 as a themed annual exhibition dedicated to the display and sale of terracotta products. Each evening, cultural programs will enhance the event’s appeal, drawing in visitors and showcasing Odisha’s artistic heritage.
Originally planned from October 22-29 to align with the upcoming Diwali festivities, Mruttika-2024 was rescheduled to October 26-30 due to Cyclone Dana. The exhibition promises to be a vibrant showcase of Odisha’s terracotta artistry, celebrating the craftsmanship and dedication of the state’s artisans.