MGM Foundation and Bhubaneswar Experimental Art and Design Studio (BEADS) today unveiled “Kansa: Forging Traditions, Shaping Futures,” a landmark publication documenting Odisha’s rich bell metal craft heritage.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo released the book at a special event this evening in the august presence of Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of MGM Group and Tathagata Satpathy, former MP and Editor of Dharitri and Orissa Postnewspapers. The event was also attended by artists, scholars, and art enthusiasts.
The new kind of book aimed at preserving a fading cultural tradition and drawing attention to the urgent need to safeguard bell metal crafts, the dying art form.
The book documents the practices, techniques, and stories of artisans whose crafts are on the verge of extinction.
Speaking on this special occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Singh Deo said, “Through this book, the MGM Group has made sincere efforts to save the dying art and its legacy for future generations.”
“Through the publication of this book, we have made a significant effort to revive and safeguard this dying art form, ensuring its rich heritage endures and inspires generations to come,” said Shri Mohanty, CMD of MGM Group at the launch event.
“When the existing bell metal utensils or other crafts develop some kind of damage, people usually exchange those items with aluminium metals. I always advise the people not to do so because once the craft becomes an antique piece, it will be a valuable item,” he said.
The book not only highlights the struggles of traditional craftsmen but also emphasizes the importance of passing these skills to younger generations. Experts at the event expressed hope that the book would inspire both policy support and public interest in keeping these heritage arts alive.
The book also represents the intensive field research conducted by the Odisha Craft Odyssey (OCO)Fellowship Programme 2024-25.
The comprehensive documentation in the form of a book, available in both English and Odia, chronicles the living traditions of Kansa (bell metal) craft across 18 villages in Odisha, based on five months of extensive fieldwork by a dedicated team of researchers and Fellows.
