After gaining national acclaim as a magnificent, traditional tie and dye variety, Odisha’s Ikat is now on its march towards a ‘global brand’.
This was discussed in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Monday wherein Secretary Textile, Handloom and Handicraft Shubha Sharma outlined the proposals for discussion.
Taking an area-wise review of the Ikat designs in Odisha, Tripathy directed to “transform Odisha’s best products to world brands through addition of high design, affluent colour, towering quality and supreme prominenceâ€.
He wanted the benefit of such interventions to go to the weavers and artisans. He asked the department to scale up international visibility through expo-exhibitions at various prominent places and star hotels.
Further, Tripthay emphasised on mobilising private sector investment in handloom development.
He aqlso directed the department to develop the Balijury Haat of Bargarh district to the largest open ground cloth market in Asia with modern amenities and market linkages.
It came out from the review that Pasapali, Sonepuri, Bomkai and Kotpad designs of Odisha are fast-moving varieties. These sarees have greater potential of being developed to ‘world designs’.
It was decided to focus on these verities in the first phase.Meanwhile, the size of the State’s handloom market has been enhanced to Rs 600-Rs 700 crore. Tripathy directed to multiply the turnover in coming years.
