Heritage · Craft · Community

Tribal Artisans

Celebrating and preserving the living traditions of Odisha's tribal artisans — craftspeople whose hands have kept ancient culture alive for thousands of years.

Jai Jagannatha  ·  Jai Balabhadra  ·  Jai Subhadra  ·  Jai Sudarshan

Tribal Artisans at Rath Utsav
  Our Commitment

Preserving Living Heritage

The tribal artisans of Odisha are the living guardians of India's most ancient artistic traditions. Their craft is not merely aesthetics — it is prayer, devotion, and the continuation of sacred knowledge passed through generations.

Yet today, many of these artisans struggle to earn a dignified livelihood. Shree JBS Trust is committed to changing that — through exhibitions, market access, fair compensation, and national recognition.

At Rath Utsav 2026, our tribal exhibition at Patwardhan Park runs across all 11 days — bringing the living arts of Odisha to Mumbai and connecting artisans directly with devotees and collectors.

50+Artisan Families
6Craft Traditions
11Exhibition Days
  Living Traditions

Traditional Craft Families

Six sacred craft traditions from the hands of Odisha's tribal artisans, presented at Rath Utsav 2026

Pattachitra

Pattachitra

Ancient cloth-scroll painting tradition depicting scenes from the Jagannatha myth, the Ramayana, and Mahabharata — a living sacred art form.

Stone & Wood Carving

Stone & Wood Carving

Intricate carvings of Param Brahma Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra in khondalite stone and wood — each a unique devotional artwork.

Palm Leaf Engravings

Palm Leaf Engravings

Intricate etchings on dried palm leaves — the world's oldest form of writing and art in Odisha, depicting sacred narratives and cosmic diagrams.

Odisha Ikat Textiles

Odisha Ikat Textiles

Traditional handwoven textiles using intricate tie-dye techniques passed down through weaving communities for over 500 years.

Tribal Jewellery

Tribal Jewellery

Handcrafted ornaments in silver, brass, terracotta and seeds — each piece carrying the cultural identity and symbolic language of Odisha's tribes.

Chhau Masks & Crafts

Chhau Masks & Crafts

Ritual masks used in Chhau dance traditions, handpainted and sculpted by artisan families — sacred objects that embody divine forms.

  Rath Utsav 2026

Festival Exhibition

Tribal Artisans at Rath Utsav

The Rath Utsav Tribal Arts Exhibition is one of the significant dedicated platforms for tribal artisans in Western India. Spread across 10 days at Patwardhan Park, Bandra West, it draws thousands of visitors who can witness, purchase, and support authentic traditional crafts.

Exhibition Details

Exhibition Dates17th – 27th July 2026
Daily Timings10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
VenuePatwardhan Park, Bandra West, Mumbai
EntryFree for all visitors
PurchaseDirect from artisans — support the maker directly

Why This Matters

The tribal artisans of Odisha are living guardians of India's most ancient artistic traditions. At Rath Utsav, we create a sacred platform where their craft is seen, celebrated and supported.

Every purchase directly supports an artisan family and helps preserve a tradition that has survived for thousands of years.

  Full Festival Schedule   Support Artisans

Shop Tribal Handicrafts Online

Can't visit the festival? Explore and purchase authentic tribal handicrafts from Odisha through our online shop — directly supporting artisan families and preserving living heritage.

  Visit shop.shreejbstrust.org
  Stay Informed

New Artisan Collections Coming Soon

Be among the first to know about new artisan collections, festival announcements, and opportunities to support tribal communities.

"The Jagannatha temple at Puri is the only temple where a Brahmin 'sevak' serves alongside a Tribal 'sevak' — for all are equal before the Lord."