Odisha State Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd.- a State Govt. Organization (with the brand name of UTKALIKA) in coordination with Aksh (a design and marketing company from Chennai) is organising a one-of-its-kind Exhibition and Discount sale of Odisha Handloom and Handicrafts from 10th to 19th January 2017 in Chennai. This exhibition is being promoted by Chennai based Multi-award winning film production company ‘BnR Films’.
Today the honourable Chief Guest of the event, Mr. Jatindra Nath Swain, IAS (Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Survey & Settlement, Government of Tamilnadu) has inaugurated the Exhibition in the gracious presence of honourable Guest of Honour Mr. Khirod Kumar Jena, (National President, OwB-Aseema Odisha), Mrs. Sriya (Founder of Aksh) and Mr. Biswanath Rath (Founder & CEO of BnR Films)
Talking about this exhibition, Utkalika’s Managing Director Mr. Gourisanker Jena says, “UTKALIKA is working under the Administrative Control of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Govt. of Odisha. This exhibition at Chennai is sponsored by Directorate of Handicrafts & Cottage Industries, Odisha, Bhubaneswar. More than 15 nos. of handicraft and handloom artisans from Odisha would display their exclusive products in this fair. This is a very good platform for direct interaction between visitors and artisans. This is a golden opportunity for art & craft lovers / home makers to see and purchase a wide range of house-hold utility & decorative handicraft items at one roof. “
Aksh is a designing and marketing organization from Chennai formed with a vision of promoting the production and usage of handloom fabrics across India. Founder Mrs. Sriya quote, “Weaving is a skill passed through many generations and it should be preserved at any cost. It is the essence of India and one of the craft that makes India stand out in the world. Furthermore, ethnic wears can truly magnify the beauty and attraction of an Indian women to multi folds. Here in Aksh, we strive to design and promote contemporary apparels while preserving the tradition and ethnicity.”
Biswanath Rath, the Founder & CEO of BnR Films, widely known as a multi-award winning writer-director said, “’We at BnR Films always aim to promote various forms of arts and crafts. This exhibition and the displayed products inspire us in two major aspects: 1) These art and crafts are the result of months of hard work by these highly talented artisans from Odisha and their works give an International identity to the finest Indian traditions we continue to have. Such exhibition of Odia culture/tradition in Chennai is not only a rare event, but also one-of-its kind opportunity for art/craft lovers in Chennai. 2) These handlooms are made up of Natural fabrics, make use of vegetable dyes and thus encourage everyone to ‘Go green’. Thus, we strive to increase the awareness for such artisans and their crafts.”