Pipli Holidays

Located between Bhubaneshwar and Puri in Orissa, the village of Pipli is known as the appliqué capital of the state.

Appliqué is a craft rooted in the Jagannath cult. Geometric motifs and stylized flowers, birds and animals are cut out of bright coloured cloth and sewn onto black backgrounds. Quite distinct from patchwork, the resultant effect of pure bold colors in floral and animal shapes emerging from a background of contrasting color is breathtaking in the simplicity of the colourful collage.

These appliqué works range from the items crafted in traditional forms, such as chanduas (canopies), chhatris (umbrella) and batuas (pouches) that are used in religious functions, to the more popular umbrellas, bags, ladies hand bags, wall hangings, lamp shades, bed covers, pillow covers and letter holders that we can all find some use at home for. Indeed, Pipli craftspeople are responsible for the chhatris or small canopies that are suspended above the presiding deity of many Orissan temples. It pays to shop carefully for quality items.