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Strange But Beautiful Lacquer Dolls (Jau Kandhei ) Of Odisha

by Dr. Manoj Mishra December 19, 2024 0 Comment

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Prior to describing all about the traditional lacquer dolls peculiar to Orissa, let me describe a few details about the thing called lacquer.

The very word lacquer originates from the Portuguese word ‘ lac’. In Sanskrit and Odia language this word lacquer is known as ‘Jatu’ and ‘ Lakha ‘ respectively. In the epic Mahabharata ( Jatugriha Parva) , there lies a mention about how the Pandavas were allowed to stay in a house made of lacquer deceivingly so as to detonate with fire and eventually kill the Pandavas .

Lacquer is a hard, sparkly covering or finish that is applied to wood or metal or terracotta items to safeguard the surface as well with respect to beautification. Lacquer is utilized in enlivening craftsmanship, particularly in Asia.Lacquer is normally produced using sap removed from trees and waxes, however a few enamels depend on the resinous discharge of scale bugs called lac . Lacquer is developed in layers, and it’s critical to allow each layer to dry prior to applying the following. Lacquer can be applied in a matte or glossy finish.Lacquer normally contains a substance called urushiol that can cause skin irritation and inflammation if it comes in contact with skin before it dries up.

Baleswari jau kandhei ( lacquer dolls) is the improved workmanship and art of dhangada and dhangadi ( or male and female) terracotta dolls worshipped by primitive tribes of mayurbhanj in Odisha. It is assessed that the work of this kind of art prospered in Baleswar from the seventeenth century. The dolls are chiefly of a male and female structure which is made of terracotta and afterward covered with lacquer made of lac gathered from neighborhood woodlands and are of different tones. Craftsmen from the sankhari community dwelling here refined this specialty of making dolls. Their male and female sculptures are kept simple with just some essential sign of appendage like hands and legs . The detailing of the dolls are finished by the utilization of lacs which adds the eyes , jewellery and clothes to these dolls. In Baleswar locality these lac dolls are designated “Jau Kandhei” .

Baleswar of Odisha is known for producing several colorful things made of lacquer . Particularly lacquer dolls have gained popularity across the country. The magnificent marriage procession of bride and groom( made of lacquer) is a stunning example of craftsmanship of the state Odisha.

The “KUSUM” trees discharge a sort of gum. The “Lac” is handled from the gums taken from free bark of “Kusum”. The excellence of this kind of craft is its dynamic tones adorned with excellent themes like geometric lines, triangles, flowers, leaves etc. on the surface of bamboo boxes , earthenware, wood and compressed woods etc. … The different alluring things made of lacquer are like Jau Kandhei, bangles, Joupedi, pen stands, different animal figures and so forth . Polished bangles are weared by wedded women.Girls take ” Jau Kandhei” as trousseau during their marriage . These are generally being made in Nabarangpur and Baleswar areas of Odisha, India. In olden days, people were keeping their jewellery and other valuables in these lacquer boxes .You can watch the given video of lacquer bangles in making.