The Odisha Craft Odyssey aspires to bridge the often-segregated worlds of fine arts and traditional crafts. By fostering a dynamic dialogue between contemporary artists and traditional craftspeople, the Odyssey aims to elevate Odisha’s artistic heritage, highlighting the beauty, skill, and cultural significance of its craft traditions. This initiative seeks to create an inclusive cultural platform that honors and integrates these traditions into modern artistic and academic contexts.

Key objectives of the Odisha Craft Odyssey include preserving heritage by documenting and preserving the intricate work of Odisha’s bell metal artisans, ensuring their rich traditions endure for future generations. The project also aims to facilitate cultural exchange by promoting intergenerational and cross-cultural knowledge exchange between artisans and contemporary artists. Additionally, it seeks to enhance public engagement through immersive and educational experiences offered via exhibitions, open studios, and interactive workshops. Moreover, it focuses on advocating for craftspeople by raising awareness about the socio-economic challenges they face and promoting supportive policies. Finally, the Odyssey encourages innovation by blending traditional techniques with contemporary artistic expressions to foster creative experimentation.

Sandeep Hota, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Bhubaneswar Experimental Art and Design Studio (BEADS), emphasizes the initiative’s transformative potential: “The launch of Odisha Craft Odyssey is a landmark moment for Odisha’s cultural landscape. Our goal is to create a vibrant platform where the traditional and contemporary can coexist and enrich each other. By focusing on the bell metal artisans of Bhubaneswar, we aim to preserve their invaluable skills and provide new opportunities for creative expression.”