The ancient name of Odisha was Utkala, which connotes excellence in art. Even today, the generations of Odia artisans still hone their skills to create magnificent objects from natural materials. A few horn artisans in Mangalabag of the historic Cuttack city live to make decorative and utility items from buffalo horns. Nearly 2000 years back, the ancient Utkala was exporting handicrafts to the Indian ocean nations and distant Greece through sea routes. Delicately carved ivory work was one of the most sought-after items in foreign countries. Before making horn craft, the artisans of Cuttack used to carve on ivory. Way back in the 1980s, the artisans were making fine ivory work along with horn craft items. In the later period, buffalo horns were used to make this craft.
Walking sticks, Jataka tales, cheerut, life-size cranes catching fish, elephant family, cigar trays and sindoor boxes etc made by horn artisans of Cuttack, Parlakhemundi and Dhenkanal were also exported by handicraft traders of Calcutta in the post-independent period. Even today, the horn craft has significant potential to generate employment and earn foreign currency for the State, as the skills of making this craft still survive among the old generation of artisans.
However, the horn artisans need raw materials, mainly buffalo horns, marketing support, and cooperation from the state government, craft lovers, and the local people. The State Government, voluntary organisation, cultural organisations and media should create awareness about the utility and aesthetic value of horn crafts among people so that people will buy eco-friendly handicrafts. Popular political leaders and celebrities should advise people to use horn crafts through media channels.
Many customers still look for utility and decorative horn items in the market. However, those items are not easily available in the craft showrooms; a few artisans make those items and sell them at handicraft exhibitions and melas. Fifty years back, there were more than 2000 artisans in Dhenkanal, Parlakhemundi and Cuttack; today, their number has come down to less than 100. But, there is a wide scope for reviving the horn craft as the demand for handcrafted environment-friendly utility and decorative items is very high in domestic and foreign craft bazaars.
Some customers believe that the comb made from a horn prevents hair fall. The artisans also make a few medical equipment that are used to heal wounds after an operation. But, there is a need for dedicated research to establish the benefits of horn items. The artisan can make a wide range of utility items from horn. The main problem of horn artisans today is that they don’t have enough good-quality horns to continue in this profession. Horns are imported from Middle Eastern countries and are marketed through a few traders and middlemen of Calcutta at a very high cost. The artisans also collect horns from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The State Government should identify the genuine horn artisans of Cuttack, Parlakhemundi and Dhenkanal and supply them with good quality horns through the State Handicraft Development Corporation. Then, the State Government can procure the finished products from the artisans and market the items through the State Government’s craft showrooms, Utkalikas, which are operational across the country. It is very essential to engage honest, efficient and committed officers in the departments who could understand the artisans’ problems and work to preserve the rare horn craft skills.
It is an age-old rare skill that adds high value to ordinary buffalo horns. Gifted skills have been passed from generation to generation; now, they should be passed on to the younger generation. The skills to make delicate carvings and the imagination to give shape to interesting subjects will once again make horn craft a popular export item. The State of Odisha should have a direct handicraft export facility from Bhubaneswar, as many artisans face a maze of complications when they try to export handicrafts through Calcutta. The Government agencies and voluntary organisations should train the educated artisans how to meet the export formalities. The artisans and the young exporters need the much-needed handholding for about five years to set up their export business directly from Bhubaneswar. Let us once again rewrite a glorious chapter on India’s rich cultural heritage.
