BHUBANESWAR: Chandua (applique) business at Pipili may finally look up and tide over the significant drop in business that was inflicted upon by the construction of NH-316. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a Pipili Chandua Bazaar near the bypass road in the state budget, ushering cheer among those who continue to practise this traditional textile craft. Stating that Pipili Chandua is a colourful traditional craft with a GI tag and boasts of strong links to the Jagannath temple in Puri, the chief minister said many artisan families depend on it for livelihood. “Due to the new national highway, their market is less visible, marking a reduction in tourist visits and affecting sales. Our govt chalked a detailed plan for the construction of a new Pipili Chandua Bazaar near Pipili toll plaza with all modern facilities to attract tourists and revitalise the old craft,” the CM said. Pipili, under Puri district, located on the busy Bhubaneswar-Puri corridor, is home to around 500 artisan families, including 40 families in Darji Sahi, which is the historic hub of the appliqué craft. Both sides of Darji Sahi are lined with shops selling Chandua. Till 2015, tourists visiting Puri and Konark used to take the Pipili route, which brought business to the applique craftspersons. However, construction of the highway bypass in 2015 impacted craft sales, as tourists no longer needed to enter Pipili. “Subsequent cyclones and the Covid-19 pandemic only made things worse for them. As a result, many traditional artisans gave up the centuriesold craft and took up other avocations,” said heritage activist and researcher Anita Sabat. Chandua artisan Benudhar Mohapatra said the Chandua Bazaar was a longstanding demand to revitalise the craft economy. Post-pandemic, the demand for Pipili Chandua increased but there are not enough craftspersons now to supply the same. “We demanded the govt facilitate a manufacturing hub, along with a demonstration centre and tourism amenities, as well as a dedicated market wherein, if a tourist arrives, he or she can rest, experience making the craft and buy them. This will improve the condition of the artisans,” said the artisan, who is also a part of the Pipili Cooperative Society. Mohapatra added that construction of close to 100 shops is underway near the bypass. Along with the proposed bazaar, Sabat suggested that the govt should also take measures to maintain the originality of the craft. She said not many artisans are truly practising the traditional craft and they are passing off applique from other states as Pipili Chandua.
