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I have demonstrated the technique of
Sambalpuri Ikat weaving to many people and
shown the weaves at different cities. One
change I have noticed is that along with sarees,
there is a demand for yardage, dupattas, stoles,
bedcovers and wall hangings woven in the same
technique. While a Sambalpuri Ikat saree is still
the best canvas for a weaver to portray the art
of Ikat, the increase in demand for other Ikat
products has benefited the weavers greatly.
Preserving the Proficiency
The beauty of Sambalpuri Ikat has seen it
evolve and endure. In the pre-Independence
period British rulers tried to wipe it out.
However, the weavers and the art still
managed to survive. After independence,
Shri Radhashyam Meher tried his best to
promote the textile. Padma Shri Krutarth
Acharya created a revolution by founding
the Sambalpuri Bastralaya, a cooperative that
brought weavers together. My father, Padma
Shri, Shilp Guru Kunja Bihari Meher received
the first Padma Shri from Odisha for the
beautiful Sambalpuri Ikats he wove. He also
received prominence at the international level.
Weavers of Bargarh in western Odisha have
received national and international recognition
while Bargarh is also slated to have the second
largest Sambalpuri Ikat handloom park in Asia.
With the effort of the master weavers, the
revival of Ikat looks more of a reality than just
a dream.
I am grateful to have received several awards
too. These are the National Award in 1991,
Kalanidhi Award in 1994, State Award in
1987, 1988 and 1989, UNESCO Award of
Excellence in 2006, 2007 and 2012; and the
Sant Kabir Award in the year 2013 for my
