Wood Craft: Carved and Painted Wooden Objects from Odisha's Living Traditions

Wood has been shaped by Indian craft traditions into objects of use and beauty for centuries. In Odisha (India), the wood craft tradition carries a long history of carving and painting that reflects the state's temple heritage and folk visual vocabulary, producing objects where the artisan's knowledge of the material is inseparable from the art they apply to it. The pieces in this collection are carved and painted wooden objects spanning coasters, decorative trays, storage pieces, and wall hangings, each carrying the character of a craft tradition that has produced some of India's most distinctive decorative woodwork.

Coasters

The coasters in this collection bring folk and traditional art into a form used at the table every day. Some are hand-painted directly on wood with motifs drawn from tribal and folk traditions: tabla centric compositions, tribal women in musical scenes, geometric tribal patterns. Others carry their art through a surface layer: fabric-coated wooden coasters with Pattachitra art depicting Radha Krishna, elephant ride scenes, and villagers in a traditional setting; a palm leaf-coated variant carrying a villagers theme in Pattachitra style; and octagonal fabric-coated coasters with folk art compositions. Coaster sets range from two to five pieces, in round, square, and octagonal forms. Each product page carries set size and dimensions.

Decorative Trays

The hand-painted decorative wooden trays carry folk motifs painted freehand on the wooden surface: dancing women, groups of women with peacocks, pairs of birds, pairs of elephants. These are functional display trays that work on a sideboard, dining table, or desk, and carry the distinctive visual language of Odia folk art in a form suited to daily use. Each tray is hand-painted, and natural variation in painted line quality and motif placement between pieces is intrinsic to the process.

Storage

The fabric-coated wooden utility and storage box carries Pattachitra art on a fabric surface applied to the wooden base, combining structured storage with the visual character of a Chitrakar's brushwork.

Wall Hangings

The Pattachitra-painted wooden tray and wall hanging pieces are dual-purpose objects: structured wooden forms designed to serve both as wall-mounted display pieces and as decorative trays. Pattachitra art is hand-painted directly onto the wooden surface in subjects drawn from Odia folk and devotional traditions, across small, medium, and large sizes. The bamboo strip wall hanging features handcarved wooden Vishnu Dashavatara mounted on a natural bamboo base. The Golden Grass wall hanging carries musicians painted on wooden cut-outs mounted within a handwoven Golden Grass frame, combining two craft traditions in a single wall piece.

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A Few Things Worth Knowing

What kinds of products does this collection include?

This collection includes hand-painted and coated wooden coasters in sets; hand-painted decorative wooden trays; a fabric-coated wooden utility and storage box with Pattachitra art; Pattachitra-painted wooden tray and wall hanging pieces in small, medium, and large sizes; a handcarved Vishnu Dashavatara on bamboo strip wall hanging; and a Golden Grass wall hanging with painted wooden cut-outs. Each product page carries specific dimensions, set size, and care details.

What art traditions appear across this collection?

Pieces carry Pattachitra art from the Chitrakar tradition of Odisha (India), Saura and tribal folk motifs, and folk imagery drawn from Odia visual culture: dancers, musicians, animals, nature, and devotional subjects. The technique varies by piece: direct hand-painting on wood, fabric-coating with printed or painted art, and palm leaf-coating with engraved Pattachitra designs.

What is the difference between a hand-painted coaster and a fabric-coated or palm leaf-coated coaster?

On a hand-painted coaster, the art is applied directly onto the wooden surface with a brush. On a fabric-coated coaster, a fabric layer carrying the art is applied over the wood base, giving the surface a textile quality. On a palm leaf-coated coaster, a palm leaf layer with engraved Pattachitra design is applied over the wood. Each produces a distinct surface character and visual quality.

Will my piece look exactly like the one in the photograph?

Not exactly. Each piece is handcrafted and carries natural variation in painted line quality, colour tone, and surface character intrinsic to the making process. Photographs are taken under controlled lighting and may appear differently across screen settings and devices. These are not defects. Read our Disclaimer before purchase.

How do I care for my wood craft piece?

Please refer to the Care Guide on the individual product page for specific care instructions, as requirements vary between hand-painted, fabric-coated, and palm leaf-coated surfaces.

Can I place a bulk or custom order?

Yes. For gifting, corporate requirements, interior decoration, or bulk orders, please fill up this form or reach out to us directly and we will be happy to help.