Bhubaneswar, Feb 25: Odisha has created a new world record in terracotta craft production, marking a significant achievement at the "Grand Terracotta Craft Competition" organized by the Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department. Two new milestones were officially recorded in the World Book of Records during the event. A total of 1,000 clay artisans participated simultaneously, setting a new record for the highest number of participants in a terracotta craft competition. Additionally, seven artisans exceeded the previous record for clay item production, establishing a new benchmark.

Sebak Rana, a terracotta artisan from Bargarh, emerged as the winner by crafting 310 clay glasses within one hour. Other artisans who set new records include Madhab Muduli from Nayagarh (248 items), Than Sundar Rana from Balangir (232 items), Ramesh Chandra Muduli from Balasore (230 items), Bijay Behera from Angul (227 items), Basant Rana from Balangir (219 items), and Makar Ketan Sahu from Kendrapara (218 items).

Previously, the record was held by Michael Weber of the United States, who produced 212 clay items in an hour. However, the seven artisans from Odisha have now surpassed this record.

The competition took place at Kalabhoomi and was formally inaugurated by Pradeep Bal Samanta, the Minister for Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts. During his speech, the minister praised terracotta and pottery crafts as symbols of Odisha’s rich handicraft heritage, calling the artisans torchbearers of the state’s history, culture, and tradition. He expressed his pride in their remarkable accomplishments and personally felicitated the record-breaking artisans after the event.

Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the HTH Department, spoke about the efforts under the “Vocal for Local” campaign to promote indigenous handicrafts, including terracotta crafts. The state government recognizes 64 traditional handicrafts, with terracotta and pottery being among the oldest. Over 36,000 artisans in Odisha rely on this craft for their livelihoods, with more than 40 terracotta craft clusters spread across the state.

The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Handicrafts Director Nivedita Prusti, Padma Shri awardee Binod Maharana, National Award-winning terracotta artisans Manabodh Rana and Mukunda Rana, SIDAC Member Secretary Chinmayee Biswal, World Book of Records Vice President Rajeev Srivastava, and Director Rajesh Shukla, among others.