The recently concluded 18th Toshali National Crafts Mela in Bhubaneswar proved to be a significant economic driver, generating business surpassing Rs 30 crore. Organized by the Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts department of Odisha in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, the annual Toshali Mela, which opened on December 15 and concluded on Tuesday, drew a massive footfall of over 20 lakh visitors. Featuring around 600 stalls, the crafts festival brought together more than 200 artisans and over 140 weavers from Odisha, along with 250 sculptors and 57 weavers from outside the state, showcasing their hand-made products. The theme pavilion, titled “Tribal Crafts & Weaves of the State & GI Products,” took center stage, highlighting handicraft and handloom products of Odisha with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

The theme pavilion’s four stalls displayed a diverse range of crafts, including Pattachitra, applique, stone carving, Sambalpuri Bandha sarees, Habaspuri sarees, Khurda district’s Dhalapathara curtains, Gopalpur’s Tassar fabrics, Odisha Ikat sarees, Khandua Patta, Bomkai sarees, and various handloom products of Kotpad. One of the Mela’s unique attractions was the cruelty-free ‘Karuna Silk,’ produced using a non-violent method that avoids harming the Eri silkworms. The entire process of making this silk was demonstrated live, adding an educational aspect to the cultural extravaganza. The success of the Toshali Crafts Mela not only showcases the rich cultural heritage of Odisha but also serves as a substantial economic boost for artisans and weavers.