Nabarangpur
Paddy is no longer just a staple crop in this tribal heartland. It’s a means for creativity and a catalyst for change for 27 tribal and OBC women from two self-help groups (SHGs) — ‘Dhanalaxmi’ and ‘Mahima’— in Limbhata village, about 30 km from the district headquarters.
The women craft Rakhis and also unique ornaments and idols, both traditional and sustainable, made out of paddy. Yes, you read it right.
Paddy Turn Into Profitable Rakhis
“The daily sale of rakhis along with forms, figures and figurines made from paddy grains clocks an income of Rs 35,000 to Rs 42,000. We hope that the proceeds would shoot up to Rs 60,000 on Raksha Bandhan day,” shared Sushila Munda, president of Dhanalaxmi, which comprises 17 female members.
These women craft over 16 rakhi designs along with mini idols of Hindu deities, selling more than 10,000 pieces a day in the run-up to Raksha Bandhan. Sales are expected to cross 15,000 units on the festival day alone.
Likewise, Mahima SHG, with 10 members, creates 13 rakhi designs, selling over 8,000 items daily, and hopes to touch 12,000 on Raksha Bandhan.
“Every day we earn about Rs 25,000 from the sale, which may register a substantial upturn to around Rs 45,000 on Raksha Bandhan,” said Sanai Samnath, president of Mahima.
Each rakhi is priced between Rs 50 and Rs 150, depending on the intricacy of design. Six-inch tall paddy idols of Hindu deities are sold at Rs 300, while one-foot models range from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500.
The Craft Behind The Craft
The women use a special paddy variety called ‘Sapuri’—favoured for its medium size, durability, and non-slippery surface—to craft their pieces. The rakhis and idols are made using thin bamboo sticks, locally known as ‘Shella’, and coloured yarns.
“We bought 10 quintals of Sapuri almost a year ago at Rs 3,500 per quintal. After bleaching and pesticide treatment, we stored it safely. Crafting begins nearly eight months in advance,” explained Arjun Munda, leader of Dhanalaxmi SHG.
“About one quintal is used for rakhi-making; the rest goes into idols,” he added.
The grains are carefully cleaned and sandwiched between two shella sticks, then tied with coloured threads. For complex designs, coloured fabric pieces and silk are added. This intricate process yields not just ornamental pieces but cultural pride.
Beyond Rakhis: Paddy Idols Make A Mark
The SHGs also craft large paddy idols for exhibitions and fairs, including the annual Mandei Mahotsav, a three-day post-harvest tribal celebration held in December with administrative support.
Last year, Dhanalaxmi SHG made a 5-feet tall paddy idol of Lord Ram, which was bought by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) for Rs 25,000 and gifted to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the festival.
“Three artisans took 17 days to craft the Lord Ram idol,” recalled Arjun Munda.
In another notable feat, seven Dhanalaxmi artisans created a 12-feet tall idol of Goddess Durga along with smaller deities for a Kolkata-based group during Dussehra 2023. It sold for ₹4 lakh and won a cash award of Rs 1 lakh in a competition among eight artisan teams.
Mahima SHG too earned accolades. ORMAS purchased their three-feet-high paddy idols of Lord Ram at Rs 12,000 each—one was presented to CM Majhi, the other to Minister Nityanand Gond. “Our artisan Lalita Sarabu took nearly 23 days to make each idol,” said SHG leader Pankaj Kumar Sarabu.
Backing From State And Market
ORMAS and the State Directorate of Handicraft have played pivotal roles in the rise of paddy craft. In 2022, a six-month training programme was conducted for 15 female artisans, under master trainer Arjun Munda, who received Rs 20,000 per month. Each trainee earned ₹1,000 monthly. Last year, the Directorate also gave Rs 2.5 lakh financial aid to Dhanalaxmi SHG to procure raw material.
ORMAS ensures marketing via 30 exhibitions across India and an e-commerce tie-up with Itsy Bitsy Pvt. Ltd, Bengaluru. “Itsy Bitsy places orders of over Rs 2 lakh for rakhi alone each year, which are sold through its Hyderabad and Bengaluru outlets,” said A. Uma Mahesh, Joint CEO of ORMAS, Nabarangpur.
Each artisan’s family, Mahesh noted, now earns over Rs 10 lakh annually from the sale of paddy crafts.
Scaling Up With Structured Support
To further empower the SHGs, ORMAS has earmarked Rs 3 lakh for a revolving fund, while the Department of Mission Shakti has sanctioned Rs 63 lakh for building a raw material bank, common facility centre, a producer company, and more.
“The total Rs 66 lakh support will also cover design development, product diversification, and improved packaging and marketing,” Mahesh said.
This fusion of art, agriculture, and entrepreneurship is not just a livelihood model—it’s a movement rooted in tribal identity and self-reliance. As these rural artisans shape paddy into tradition-rich treasures, they’re not only preserving craft—they’re rewriting the narrative of empowerment in tribal India.
