Odisha Handlooms, Handicrafts Draw Buyers at IHGF Delhi Autumn Fair

Greater Noida: Odisha’s traditional handlooms and handicrafts are attracting buyers and visitors from India and abroad at the 62nd IHGF Delhi Autumn Fair 2026, with the state showcasing its distinctive textiles and craft traditions to explore new business and export opportunities.

The Odisha Pavilion, organised by the state’s Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida, was inaugurated on Tuesday by Commissioner-cum-Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar. She toured the pavilion, viewed the exhibits and appreciated the range of traditional and contemporary products on display.

Speaking at the inauguration, Tapas Kumar said the fair provided an important platform to present Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship to national and international markets. She said connecting artisans and weavers with buyers, designers and business organisations could open up new markets, create export opportunities and help them secure better value for their products.

The five-day fair, being held from October 13 to 17, brings together products across home furnishings, lifestyle, fashion, furniture, gifts and interior décor, providing a business-to-business platform for manufacturers, exporters and buyers.

Traditional crafts take centre stage

The Odisha Pavilion features a diverse collection of handicrafts that reflect the state’s artistic traditions. The exhibits include Pattachitra paintings, terracotta products, stone carvings, Pipili appliqué work, seashell crafts, Sabai grass products and Dhokra metal craft.

These art forms showcase the skills of local artisans and the distinctive designs associated with Odisha’s cultural heritage.

The state is also presenting its well-known handloom traditions, including Sambalpuri textiles, Odisha Ikat, Bomkai sarees, Khandua silk, Kotpad sarees, Gopalpur Tussar sarees, Habaspuri sarees and Karuna silk sarees. Several of these textile traditions have received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition, highlighting their regional identity and unique craftsmanship.

Contemporary products expand market appeal

Alongside traditional sarees and fabrics, the pavilion features a range of contemporary products designed for everyday use. These include laptop bags, bedsheets, jackets, files, purses and home décor items made from handloom fabrics.

Live demonstrations of silk yarn preparation using different varieties of silk are also being conducted at the pavilion. The demonstrations offer visitors an opportunity to understand traditional textile-making processes and the skills involved in producing silk fabrics.

The combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary product designs is drawing interest from buyers and business representatives attending the fair. According to the organisers, visitors are exploring the exhibits, while some buyers have placed orders with artisans for future business.

The response is expected to create opportunities for artisans and weavers to reach new customers and expand their presence in domestic and international markets.

Focus on livelihoods and exports

Odisha’s participation in the fair is aimed at strengthening market linkages for its handloom and handicraft sectors. By presenting traditional products alongside contemporary designs, the state is seeking to connect its artisans with changing consumer preferences and wider commercial opportunities.

The initiative also highlights the potential of traditional crafts to support livelihoods while preserving specialised skills passed down through generations.

The inauguration was attended by Sucharita Sarangi, Additional Resident Commissioner, New Delhi; Sudip Samarendra Sarkar, Executive Director and CEO of India Expo Centre and Mart; Braja Kishore Nayak, Additional Director, FICCI; Surya Narayan Pattnaik, Additional Director, Sericulture, Government of Odisha, and Managing Director of Resham Odisha; along with other senior officials of the department.

The fair will continue until October 17, providing Odisha’s weavers, artisans and enterprises an opportunity to engage with buyers and explore further business prospects.