Pipli

In Orissa any type of worship or sacrificial work is incomplete without pipili chandua.

Introduction

Pipli is an art of appliqué that originated in Orissa. It is done in the

village of Puri.

• Puri has a very wide and distinctive selection of handicrafts.Some of which include- Patta Chitra, Sand Art, Metal Work, Silver Filigree, Stone Carving and making Puppets and Masks etc.

• Best known is the gorgeous appliqué work of Pipili.

• Pipili is on the way from Puri to Bhubaneswar. It is 40 kilometres from Puri.

• The Pipli village in Puri district of Orissa is the main center of appliqué work.

• This village has contributed to the economy of Orissa by drawing numerous tourists every year to visit and purchase articles from its famous handicraft industry.

• Besides Puri, appliqué work is also practiced in Chitki, Barpali, and a couple of other places.

History

• Like most arts and crafts appliqué work in Orissa also originated as a temple art.

• It is said that the kings and nobility of Orissa had patronized the appliqué work. At one time, the appliqué work of Orissa is said to have reached the heights of excellence. In Orissa, kings engaged craftsmen in the Jagannath Temple. In 1054, Maharaja Birakshore is said to have appointed 'Darjis' to serve the temple. The 'darjis' provided regular supply of the items required for the rites performed at the temple.

What is the appliqué ?

• Appliqué, a French term, is a technique by which various cutting pieces of coloured fabrics are applied to the surface of another foundation fabric. Appliqué works of Pipili is also known as patching cloth design and in local language this handicraft is known as 'Chandua'.

• The villagers of Pipli produce applique art, a process of cutting coloured cloth into shapes of animals, birds, flowers leaves gods, goddesses and other decorative motifs and stitching them over a piece of cloth. These creations are then fabricated into lampshades, handbags, cushion covers or even garden umbrellas. A famous example is the enormous appliqué canopies above the reigning deity of Puri, Lord Jagannath.

Colours

• The art form typically depended on four basis colours, red, white, black and yellow to produce a striking effect. In recent years, green too has been applied vigorously enlivening the craft even more.

Motifs

Process • It is usually practiced on dazzling red, purple, black, yellow, green

and white fabric. 1)The craftsman first prepares the base material in the shape of

square, rectangle, and circle or oval which forms the background for the pieces of art.

2)Appliqué motifs in contrasting colors are then cut in the shape of animals, birds, flowers, leaves, celestial bodies and geometric shapes. These motifs are then stitched onto the base cloth in aesthetic arrangements.

3)Raised motifs are prepared by giving several folds.

• The actual grace of appliqué craft lies in its intricate stitches namely, bakhia, guntha, turpa, chikan and other very delicate and esoteric

Uses of Pipli

• In every religious geity be it the car festival or the minor event of festive, shamiana or the canopies are displayed significantly. Wide scale use of shamiana are seen in the various festival of Lord Jagannath. Since the Lord's rituals are more of the nature of the daily routine of human being, fan, umbrella of applique work are in rampant use to save the deity from the scorching heat of Sun or the rough weather

Applique work of Rath Yatra.

• . In chandan yatra the entire procession is taken out displaying and covering the deities with chattris of applique work

Modern

Day

Usage