Raghurajpur

Odisha’s Raghurajpur village is a hub of Pattachitra, an indigenous art form, with at least one artist involved in the trade in every family. This art form dates back to the 12th century.

There are many artisans who live in India's numerous little towns and villages and churn out masterpieces with their hands, but fail to find the visibility they deserve.

The iconic village of Raghurajpur in Puri district is home to over 300 artists who are still actively practicing traditional forms of painting and dance while keeping pace with the digital age. Jael Silliman takes a closer look.

India has a rich history and heritage of arts & crafts from different regions, and a growing tourism industry. Combining the two can provide a unique opportunity to help empower livelihoods in parts of rural India while giving India’s crafts heritage the visibility it deserves.