Seashell Craft of Odisha

Seashell craft has been a prominent art form in Puri and Konark. The beaches of Puri are abundant in seashells that are used for making articles of decoration along with a wide range of utilitarian items or objects like boxes, mirror frames, lampshades, pen stand, key chains, curtains and buttons. The craft also includes shell jewelry such as earrings, bracelets, pendants and figurines. The pieces illustrate various themes from the life of Lord Jagannath along with other Hindu mythologies.

There are more than thousand varieties of shells with hundreds of patterns, colours and textures. Saw, file, hand drill, plywood sheet, reflective glass sheet and sandpaper are the basic raw materials used. According to the shape required the plywood sheet is first cut using handsaw to make a frame for the mirror. On the flat surface of the plywood thick layer of fevicol is applied to provide a smooth gluing surface for shells. The clamshells are glued by dipping the each single shell in the adhesive. Coloured shells are also used intermittently for added appeal.

Engraved and painted lampshades using shells are made by very few and highly skilled craftsmen. Different quality seashells are brought from various states and countries as well. The craft is also produced in Bengal, Tamil Nadu and the Andaman islands.