Bhubaneswar: With the objective of promoting artisans engaged in terracotta and pottery crafts, the state-level annual terracotta exhibition, MRUTTIKA-2026, commenced in the Odisha capital here on Saturday.

Inaugurating the exhibition organised at the IDCO Exhibition Ground, Minister for Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, Pradip Bal Samanta, said terracotta and pottery crafts are living examples of Odisha’s ancient handicraft traditions.

Free stalls have been provided to all the artisans participating in the exhibition. In addition, the Department has extended support towards their travel expenses, daily allowances and transportation costs for their products. The state government is committed to the growth and prosperity of the terracotta and pottery crafts, he said.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, departmental Commissioner-cum-Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar said the primary objective of the exhibition is to showcase terracotta and pottery crafts under one roof and provide a commercial platform for the growth and prosperity of artisans.

The exhibition has been organised by the Department of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts keeping the festival of Diwali in view. It will continue till November 6.

This year, a total of 218 stalls have been set up. The exhibition will remain open every day from 11 am to 9 pm. Around 380 terracotta and pottery artisans from 26 districts of Odisha are participating in the exhibition.

This year, business turnover of more than Rs 3 crore is expected. Cultural programmes will be organised every evening to attract visitors.

It is worth mentioning here that more than 44,000 artisans in the state earn their livelihood through these crafts. Among the 64 handicrafts recognised by the state government, terracotta and pottery crafts are among the prominent traditional crafts of Odisha.