Pipli

In Orissa any type of worship or sacrificial work

is incomplete without pipili chandua.
 Introduction

Pipli is an art of appliqué that

originated in Orissa. It is done in the
village of Puri.
• Puri has a very wide and distinctive selection
of handicrafts.Some of which include- Patta
Chitra, Sand Art, Metal Work, Silver Filigree,
Stone Carving and making Puppets and Masks
etc.
• Best known is the gorgeous appliqué work of
Pipili.
• Pipili is on the way from Puri to Bhubaneswar.
It is 40 kilometres from Puri.
• The Pipli village in Puri district of Orissa is the
main center of appliqué work.
• This village has contributed to the economy of
Orissa by drawing numerous tourists every
year to visit and purchase articles from its
famous handicraft industry.
• Besides Puri, appliqué work is also practiced in
Chitki, Barpali, and a couple of other places.
 History
• Like most arts and crafts appliqué work in Orissa
also originated as a temple art.
• It is said that the kings and nobility of Orissa had
patronized the appliqué work. At one time, the
appliqué work of Orissa is said to have reached
the heights of excellence. In Orissa, kings
engaged craftsmen in the Jagannath Temple. In
1054, Maharaja Birakshore is said to have
appointed 'Darjis' to serve the temple. The
'darjis' provided regular supply of the items
required for the rites performed at the temple.
 What is the appliqué ?
• Appliqué, a French term, is a technique by
which various cutting pieces of coloured
fabrics are applied to the surface of another
foundation fabric. Appliqué works of Pipili is
also known as patching cloth design and in
local language this handicraft is known as
'Chandua'.
• The villagers of Pipli produce applique art, a
process of cutting coloured cloth into shapes
of animals, birds, flowers leaves gods,
goddesses and other decorative motifs and
stitching them over a piece of cloth. These
creations are then fabricated into lampshades,
handbags, cushion covers or even garden
umbrellas. A famous example is the enormous
appliqué canopies above the reigning deity of
Puri, Lord Jagannath.
 Colours
• The art form typically depended on four basis
colours, red, white, black and yellow to
produce a striking effect. In recent years,
green too has been applied vigorously
enlivening the craft even more.
Motifs
 Process
• It is usually practiced on dazzling red, purple, black, yellow, green
and white fabric.
1)The craftsman first prepares the base material in the shape of
square, rectangle, and circle or oval which forms the background
for the pieces of art.
2)Appliqué motifs in contrasting colors are then cut in the shape of
animals, birds, flowers, leaves, celestial bodies and geometric
shapes. These motifs are then stitched onto the base cloth in
aesthetic arrangements.
3)Raised motifs are prepared by giving several folds.
• The actual grace of appliqué craft lies in its
intricate stitches namely, bakhia, guntha,
turpa, chikan and other very delicate and
esoteric
 Uses of Pipli
• In every religious geity be it the car festival or
the minor event of festive, shamiana or the
canopies are displayed significantly. Wide
scale use of shamiana are seen in the various
festival of Lord Jagannath. Since the Lord's
rituals are more of the nature of the daily
routine of human being, fan, umbrella of
applique work are in rampant use to save the
deity from the scorching heat of Sun or the
rough weather
Applique work of Rath Yatra.
• . In chandan yatra the entire procession is
taken out displaying and covering the deities
with chattris of applique work
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