Appliqué in Sonepur District - Subarnapur

Appliqué in Sonepur District 

Brief about the SC Women artisan of the Sonepur Block 

The Women artisans’ communities of Sonepur Block l are residing in the 

Subarnapur district since independence. The Major Craft activities 

practiced by the artisans are patchwork, appliqué, embroidery and folder 

making. This crafts have a cultural relationship with the local festivals & 

local traditions. 

Present Production Process & Raw Materials: 

The SC Women artisans of Sonepur Town and its locality are 

producing different utility & decorative products as per the demand of 

local market. The main products are folders, Wall hangings, Bags, 

Garments and Tent equipments. These artisans are procuring raw 

materials from sonepur town, Bolangir and Pipili market. The artisan 

are engaged in community production and marketing of their product. 

The details of the production process are 

v Preparation of Sketches as per the motifs. 

v Cutting of Cloths in different size as per the sketches. 

v Sewing 

v Stitching 

v Finishing 

v Packaging 

Marketing of the Products: 

The SC Women artisans of Sonepur Town and its locality are 

marketing their products through different exhibition, melas & craft 

bazaar. Some of them have also marketing Tie up with showroom of 

Raipur & New Delhi. 

Skill level of the artisan & present tools & equipments used for production: 

The skill levels of the artisans are highly appreciable. They can make 

any type of prototypes as per the designs. The artisans are producing 

both traditional & modern products. The main hand tools and 

equipments used by the artisans are 

1. Hand operated sewing machine 

2. Scissor 

3. Scale 

4. Knife 

5. Niddle 

6. Play board 

Recently, a tie up has been made Hyderabad based Tarini Handicraft, Proprietor Sailabala 

Sahu to purchase all the appliqué product of Sonepur. 

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INTERVENTION OF JAQUARD IN SONEPUR DISTRICT 

At the outset, Spl. SGSY project in Sonepur district has 

wide visioning of modernization & diversification of weaving 

technology. Towards backward linkage, DSMS has taken 

initiative for identification of groups, availing these groups with 

revolving fund and some groups with income generating 

activity fund, capacity building through basic orientation, skill 

development training and exposure visit to outside state with 

active co-operation of local NGOs & other village level 

organization. 66 swarojgaries were trained on jacquard weaving 

and tye & dye. About 54 women SHG members were trained having a basic knowledge on 

weaving equipment. 12 male SHG members and individuals were trained on production 

process of Jaquard weaving. 20 swarojgaries has visited to IIHT, Salem for jacquard training 

for a month period. 

Apart from this, mechanization of pre & post loom facilities was established at 

Common Facility Centre, Sonepur. All this inputs have greater impact in the area to transfer 

the technology at their doorstep. 

The handloom artisans of the area are mostly habitual in working with primitive 

shuttle pit looms & jalla weaving for extra weft design in the boarder / anchal. 

At present, weaving scenario is changing. DSMS with all efforts to motivate and 

mobilize the weaver’s community follows the principle “Slow & Steady Win the Race”. 

The demonstration effect of jacquard weaving is introduced in the district. About 

33nos jacquard machine (mostly of 120 hooks) have been installed by the weavers in our 

district. Gradually the process is going on having convergence programme with DDT, 

Sonepur under RLTAP fund (40 jaquard has been distributed in Sonepur and Ulunda block) 

and with EDI & SBI, Sonepur for their supportive hand for skill development training and 

credit linkages. 

While in the field visit, the weavers of Kendupali, Rathisai, 

Champapur, Baghapali and Sukha village revealed that by using 

jacquard they are benefited by 

• Less manpower (one man handle the total weaving) 

• Less time (one saree weaved in 3 days) 

• Low cost of production (cost benefit around Rs.400/- per 

saree) 

• Increase in work efficiency 

• Increase in production (experience weavers produce just 

double semi skill in jacquard weave two more from original production) 

• Increase in incremental income ( Rs.2500-Rs.3500 per month) 

The district, which is rich in weaving entrepreneurship, can 

attain economic augmentation. The entrepreneurs organize the 

economic ventures for producing goods at lower cost with 

objects to transfer of new technology and setting up new 

production milestone. 

DSMS, Sonepur act as resource facilitator to organize skill 

development training for SHG weavers to improve design, 

acquainted with new technology skills. The training cum production centre (TCPC) provides 

ample scope for the weavers to learn new lessons-Believing in Doing. The practice will 

enable the handloom artisans to increase the efficiency and productivity with an increase in 

incremental income. 


Revival of Languishing crafts of Subarnapur district 

The age old crafts of Subarnapur district were neglected and 

almost dying stage since 30 years. NRDC has played vital role to 

bring out the dieing craft to the main stream of the handicrafts 

sector of the district. DIC, Subarnapur has made the Action Plan 

under RLTAP (D.W) for revival of the traditional Painted Wooden 

Toys of Champamal village, Birmaharajpur block. As a result SHG 

has been formed consisting 15 nos. of artisan, skill upgradation & 

product diversification training programme was organized, need 

base tools & equipments have been supplied by DIC, Subarnapur under RLTAP (D.W). 

DSMS, NRDC, DC, Handicrafts, Utkalika are also providing 

marketing assistance to the artisan of village Champamal to boost of 

their production for sustainability of craft and livelihood. The local 

branch of UGB, B.M.Pur block has also provided credit support to the 

SHG artisan for their production and marketing. The entire artisan have 

availed artisan Identity card from Orissa State Coop. Haqndicrafts 

Corporation and Health Card under Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swathya Bima Yojana. 

The milestone continued the progress with the assistance from NABARD to develop 

new design and modern craft as per the market demand. With a 

continuous effort the skill level of the artisan has increased. 

DRDA has suggested increasing new artisan about 30 more for 

which skill development training assistance will be provided by 

the DRDA. DSMS provides every support to participate in 

exhibition within state where DC, Handicraft provides them every 

scope to participate in outside exhibition. Besides this, NRDC 

make necessary arrangement to tie up with some show room 

outside state as well as with Utkalika. DSMS and NRDC made a 

tie up with Pidilite Industries Ltd. For providing assistance of colour required for painted 

wooden toys and buy back for replication in other areas within and outside state. 


LINIKING YARN BANK WITH THE WEAVER’S OF 

SUBARNAPUR 

INTRODUCTION: 

Subarnapur is a Temple City District of orissa and famous for its handloom (silk and 

fine cotton bomkei) Products. Near about 20,000 nos. weavers are 

producing saris, dress materials and other utility products. 

However, marketing of Yarn as raw material of handloom products 

is constrained due to scanty availability of yarn bank and high 

prevalence of middle man. Lack of proper infrastructure, lack of 

marketing intelligence and awareness has diluted the marketing of 

yarn unviable to the Weavers. The losses in handling of yarn from 

middle man Channel is estimated about 2% to 5% per Kg. It has 

been observed that the value of handloom product, is always high in comparison to other 

handloom market due to high cost of Yarn availed by common Weavers. Common Weavers 

faced problem in controlling market price that degrades the quality and effectiveness of the 

product. A large nos. of small retailer, each handling small quantities incur high overheads 

cost leading high margin product pricing. Due to dissatisfaction of weavers, traders & 

producers the traditional marketing system is yet to be recognised. 

The availability of raw material is proportionately less than the demand of the 

weavers vis-à-vis rise in price. Very few wholesalers cater to handloom market. Weavers 

those reside in villages, urban town commute for marketing of Yarn. The supply chain of 

raw material in this sector is un- organised. In the year 2008, The District Supply and 

Marketing Society took steps for alternate marketing strategy “Yarn Bank” to make the 

system weavers friendly in coordination with NRDC, a leading NGO in the district having 

vast experience in handloom and handicraft sector. 

OBJECTIVE: 

The main objective of promotion of Yarn Bank is to 

have a common platform for direct interface with the 

producers, provide market information and availability of raw 

material less than the market price. In this process middlemen 

has to face the competition and price can be controlled. Yarn 

Bank commenced from June 2008 in the NRDC office premises, 

Sonepur town. The whole system will be monitored by the 

committee comprising of Project Director, DRDA Subarnapur, 

Deputy Director (Textiles), General Manager, District Industries Centre, Subarnapur, Chief 

Executive DSMS & Member Secretary NRDC, Sonepur. The proposed programme was 

funded under Spl. SGSY project. 

OPERATIONAL MECHANISM: 

Interested individual weavers and weavers SHGs are 

identified by DSMS, DIC, DDT & NRDC to enrol them in Yarn 

Bank membership and ways to spread over the area. A 

prescribed form is being developed by the Committee. The 

form contains detail address of Weaver, BPL No., Total No., 

family members engaged in the loom, production capacity, 

monthly yarn requirement, marketing channels, Photocopy of 


BPL Card. The membership registration is valid for one year only and renewal of the 

registration has to be completed before 15 days of expiring date. 

The market price of the raw material is fluctuating in the wholesale market. In order 

move in the same pace, market price is collected and accordingly price is fixed. In this 

process a weaver get a profit margin of 2% to 5%. 

The amount invested for the establishment is one time grant to NRDC and a source 

of revolving fund to continue the operational mechanism. Employees are entrusting to 

manage the whole operational mechanism. The marginal profit earned by the organisation 

will be re-invested for expansion of the programme. 

Yarn Bank has been an outstanding success in Subarnapur District of Orissa and has 

brought immense benefit and pleasure to the weavers. 


TERRACOTTA PREVELANCE IN SUBARNAPUR DISTRICT 

About the District: 

Subarnapur is situated in the confluence of river Mahanadi and Tel. The headquarters 

town is of the same name and was a city of fame from the time of Somavamsi rulers. The 

district of Subarnapur is known for its rich cultural heritage, arts and crafts. The textiles and 

terracotta work of Subarnapur, brass metal works and philigri crafts of Tarva and Binka, 

Stone carving of Ullunda and Paddy crafts of Dunguripali have earned worldwide reputation. 

The poet and prophet of Mahima Dharma, Santh Bhima Bhoi was a literary genius of the 

soil. The ideas of Santh Bhima Bhoi were appreciated by the people of different sections in 

spite of their different religion adherence. He was true humanistic poet of the soil. The town 

is known as temple town. The district spreads over an area of 2337 sq. km with two sub 

division namely Sonepur and Birmaharajpur and four tahasil ie Sonepur, Binka, Rampur & 

Birmaharajpur. 

Entrepreneurship Development in Terracotta craft: 

Entrepreneurship development in terracotta craft proved a 

suitable approach for economic empowerment in the district. The 

traditional practices of kumbhar now diversified to different product 

design for utility and decorative items. The rural artisans organized 

in a group operate business enterprise that facilitated them to access 

to resources and market actual ownership and active control. 

Terracotta which has a high degree of demand among the 

young customers generally produced in various shape and designs 

through different stages of intervention from creation to finishing. Artisans of this area have 

portrayed earthen to create new design terracotta items. The main potential terracotta craft 

pockets of the district are Kuhibahal, Silati of Binka block, Balijuri of Sonepur block, 

Daulpadar of Tarva block and Anilachhat of Ullunda block. 

Emerging terracotta craft in Sonepur Block: 

At the backdrop, a rural artisan from Balijuri village named Jayakrushna Rana 

initiated traditional practice to modern practice since 14 years back. He find hard to sustain 

his livelihood without any financial, marketing and training support from govt. or non-govt. 

agencies. Mean time he formed a group named Koral SHG but got defunct. DIC, Balangir 

took him as MCM and he rendered his skill in that district. The dream to develop the craft in 

his village came true when NRDC, a leading NGO working in art and craft in the district 

supported emerging rural artisan into Suresan SHG and provided all support for nurturing 

the group. Since 3 – 4 months the group is functioning well. Encouraged by the training 

support through DC, Handicraft under AHVY, NRDC implemented for a period of four 

months. Almost 15 artisans were trained by the MCM, Jayakrushna Rana with a smiling 

face. The trainees produced different utility and decorative product 

amounting to Rs.50000/- out of which Rs.30000/- has been 

marketed in the exhibition with a profit of Rs.25000/-. 

This demonstration made visitors from different agencies to visit the 

village and provided guidance for future perspective. As a result, SC 

rural artisans were organized in a group in same village for 

terracotta development. DRDA will provide support for 3 months skill 


development training and bring them into mainstream of their income source. 

The MCM Jayakrushna Rana has received training from DIC, Balangir, DC, Handicraft, 

Kolkata and from Bhubaneswar. 

Marketing support through Exhibition and tie up with different showroom and agencies: 

DSMS, DC, Handicraft, NRDC, and NABARD. In this short period they have received order 

from exhibition ground about Rs,100000/- 

30 nos of households can be engaged in this profession as primary livelihood and agriculture 

as secondary livelihood at present due to marginal or no agricultural land. The magic finger 

is changing their livelihood pattern. 

The product produced in this area are deep, god ganesha in different style, flower vessel, 

goddess laxmi, dinosaur, dragon, cutting tree, cow/calf, pen stand, kalasa, coin saving box, 

god siva linga, wall hanging and bird nest. 

Terracotta Craft in Ullunda block: 

In Anilachhat village a rural artisan named 

Iswar Rana is involved in terracotta craft. Since 20 

years he is engaged in this work as primary source of 

income earning. He has 2.5 ac of agricultural land. 

Now the total family members of 5 are engaged in 

this terracotta work. He is a MCM since 15 years, 

trained from Regional Design & Technical 

Development Centre, Kolkatta. His earning source 

from terracotta is Rs.40,000/- and Rs.20000/- from 

agriculture per annum. He has educated his son and 

daughter to metric and +2 also. He is well versed 

with oriya and hindi language participating in various 

exhibition from DSMS and DC, Handicraft within and outside state. He is organized with an 

SHG named Laxmi Narayan. In that group some artisans are engaged in traditional practice 

but having interest to learn the modern practices of terracotta. The opportunity can be 

trapped and 20 HHs can be benefited, as one of the next best alternative income sources, if 

any skill development training programme can be supported from DRDA or any other 

sources. 

Terracotta Craft in Binka block: 

Silati village is one of the potential pockets of terracotta 

craft. In that village 6 SHGs is formed out of which 3 

male SHG and 3 female SHG. In this village caste is not 

the barrier in this activity where not only kumbhar but 

also teli caste is involved in terracotta production and 

sale. 

In past teli caste families were involved in masala 

powder production and sale. Kusha Sahoo was the 

inspiration who had an outlook to learn terracotta work 

from Debraj Sahoo, Designer (art & craft) at 

Bhubaneswar for 3 years. He was educated a degree course in art college, Bhubaneswar. 

Now he is undergoing Diploma course in design development at CIDAC, Cottage Industry, 

Directorate Handicraft, Bhubaneswar. For the first time he participated in Kerela exhibition 

through DC, Handicraft. Confidence levels enable him to promote 10 to 12 artisan on 


terracotta production. At present, these households are engaged in this activity as primary 

livelihood. The income source from terracotta is Rs.80000/- per annum and Rs. 40000/- 

from agriculture. They supply the order to private party at a tune of Rs.20000/- per annum. 

In the same village, kumbhar family were producing traditional items like khapar, 

pot, deep etc but their earning was less rarely fulfill their basic needs. The idea of 

Brundaban Rana worked under Iswar Rana of Anilachhat village for 6 months. He visited to 

Calcutta exhibition with the Iswar Rana and gained experience. Once he alone participated 

in Bhopal exhibition through DC, Handicraft. The self confidence made him create 

awareness in the village and encouraged for production of terracotta product. Another rural 

artisan Gannanath Rana inspired by his wife who knew the art of terracotta helped both wife 

and husband to go for terracotta production. After that 25 households engaged in product 

diversification work. This work attracted funding agencies to invest for skill development 

training for 3 months from DC, Handicraft through NRDC, RLTAP sponsored for 2 months 

and Design Development programme from DRDA for 1 month. These families income source 

from terracotta is 30000/- to 50000/- from terracotta craft and Rs.10000/- from agriculture. 

At present in this village 3 MCM are present named as Brundaban Rana, Gananath Rana and 

Kusha Sahoo those have visited different district to impart training on terracotta. 


DSMS, DC, Handicraft, NRDC and DIC. 

The product produced are lamp set, hanging bell, vessel, mask, ganesha, wall hanging 

items, flower vessel, pen stand, brush stand, agarbati stand, decorative item, elephant / 

horses / bullock cart, night lamp, hanging lamp, swastika hanging, kalasha, design pot. 

In Kuhibahal village, 3 SHGs are named as terracotta SHG where 21 households 

changed their lives from traditional practice to modern utility product as per the market 

demand. The changing initiative was taken up by Mukunda Rana in the year 1997. Earlier 

their income source was Rs.12000/- from traditional items produced and Rs.10000/- from 

agriculture per annum. Mukunda Rana learn the new lesson from Manabodha Rana a artisan 

from Barpali, Bargarh worked with him for 2 months and started production by himself. 

NRDC was the stepping stone to support and develop these artisans to new frame. Some 

artisan participated in the exhibition within and outside state. 

They have been provided Design Development training for 15 

days, 6 months, 3 months from DC, Handicraft involving 21 

HHs. Debraj Sahoo, Designer has imparted training to them. 

At present they are earning Rs.30000/- from terracotta and 

Rs.20000/- from agriculture per annum. At present some 

artisan are recognized as MCM. They are Makunda Rana, 

Asadu Rana, Gadadhar Rana, Bhubaneswar Rana, Pancha 

Rana and Dhiren Rana. 


DSMS, DC, Handicraft, NRDC, and DIC. 

The products produced are ganesha, manna, flower vessel, mosquito coil cover, pen stand, 

candle stand, wall hanging and animal items. 

Emerging Terracotta Craft in Tarva block: 

In Daulpadar village there are 40 potter families working with their traditional items 

and selling local market and neighbour village vending. Two families were working with 

terracotta craft but later on one left this activity due to his domestic problem. Ratnakar 

Rana a rural artisan has under gone training at Bhubaneswar by Debraj Sahoo, Designer art 


& craft for 5 months. He is a landless family having APL card. Earlier with his traditional 

work he was earning 50000/- per annum. They are 15 members joint family involved in 

product diversification of terracotta craft earning 10000/- per month since last 3-4 months. 

DSMS came to rescue to make him participate in various exhibition 

programme within state. Now he is happy with increase earning. 

The opportunity here is that other HHs is interested for product 

diversification and joins modern work to produce utility and decorative 

product. 

Raw Material base: 

The artisans are collecting good quality soil, fire wood and other need base raw materials 

from their nearby village. For finishing of their product their collecting polishing soil from 

Kuibahal of Binka block. 

Existing production Process: 

• Collection of soil 

• Clay preparation & mould making 

• Finishing & sizing 

• Drying 

• Firing 

Tools & Equipments used by artisan: 

• Hand made potter wheel 

• Wooden finishing set 

• Tongs with long handle 

• Iron brash 

• Plash 

Skill level of the artisan: 

The terracotta artisans of the Sonepur district are producing traditional & utility 

products. The artisans are producing different type of decorative products during the festive 

occasion. Some of them also are producing utility & decorative products and attending 

different exhibitions / melas / marketing events inside and outside state. 

Market Potentiality of Terracotta Craft of Subarnapur District: 

Considering the magic of the fingers of terracotta artisan, it is the wealth of terracotta 

artisan abounds in the Western Orissa here that the master craftsman still faithfully 

preserve the age old expertise passed on from generation to generation. 

• Contemporary style: 

It is the commitment to the socio economic upliftment of the artisans. 

• Terracotta craft is a distinctive & integral part of life of Orissa still that in heritage 

traditionally by the artisan in age old. 

• Delicate design of terracotta products captured the beauty & intricate, patterns 

indigenous form an artistic tradition. 

• Retaining typical character of identify innovation of latest modern wall hanging, deep 

stand, hanging lamp shade to keep in line with fashion today. 

• The rich panorama of Indian handicrafts forms a repository of traditional terracotta 

craft. 


Strength: 

• Inherit skill 

• New product diversification as per market demand 

• Availability of resources 

• Marketing through Exhibition 

• Low production cost 

Weakness: 

• Age old practice 

• Financial constraint 

• Lack of modern technology 

• No workshed / common platform to work 

• Packaging 

Opportunity: 

• Expansion of the activity 

• MCM are available in the district 

• Low cost modern technology can be adopted 

Threats: 

• Climatic condition 

• Transportation breakage 

• Piracy 

Suggestion / Recommendation: 

• More marketing events / marketing support 

• New design development training programme 

• Common platform workshed 

• Low cost chula 

• Improved modern tools / scientific technology to increase efficiency and productivity 

• Financial support

Appliqué in Sonepur District - Subarnapur

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