Handwoven Fabrics Are More Valuable Than Industrial Textiles: Mrinalini Darswal, Special Resident Commissioner At Odisha Bhawan

Every year in February, Surajkund Mela becomes a riot of art and culture, displaying the multitude of colors from Indian heritage at a single venue.  Each year, the event features a theme with one state designated as the partner state. Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have taken the stage this year, where one may view some of their rich cultural legacy on show with those of other states.  

Surajkund, which is committed to preserving and advancing India's artistic traditions, has grown to become the biggest crafts exhibition globally. It is a complete celebration of workmanship, tradition, and international brotherhood rather than merely an exhibition.

During the event, Mrinalini Darswal, a 2002-batch Odisha-cadre IAS officer and Special Resident Commissioner at Odisha Bhawan, shared with Responsible Us about how events like this are important in showcasing the rich heritage of India.

How can we inculcate art and culture in our younger generation?
Inculcating art and culture in today's social media-driven era is fairly easier because children now have access to our cultural heritage at the click of a button—through reels and other digital platforms. At the same time, we are competing with other forms of entertainment on social media, whereby there are a lot of distractions.

But both in school and at home, we must make a conscious effort to expose our children to Indian culture, one of the richest in the world, along with our diverse state cultures. I am from Jammu and Kashmir, and my daughter was born in Odisha. I made sure she started learning Odissi classical dance at the early age of two years, and now she is a proficient Odissi dancer. So, I believe the responsibility lies largely with parents. First, we need to understand what our country has to offer, and then we must instill that knowledge and a sense of pride in our children—encouraging them to participate in cultural activities, learn traditional dance and music, and feel proud to showcase them to the world.

I see this happening globally now, as we see reels of youngsters performing Indian classical dances with great pride. I believe the future is bright for our art and culture. You would be surprised to know that Odisha is not only one of the richest states in traditional dance but also in folk dances and handicrafts. There are countless artistic traditions here, from Pattachitra paintings to tribal art and appliqué work. Having worked in Odisha for more than 20 years, I still can't list everything because our artistic and cultural heritage is so vast.

Odisha is also renowned for its handlooms. As women, we appreciate sarees, shawls, and other handwoven textiles. The craftsmanship behind Sambalpuri, Bomkai, Kotpad silk, and other handwoven fabrics is remarkable. I believe the younger generation will enjoy exploring and preserving these traditions.

Whenever sustainability and the environment are discussed, it is recognised that our ancestors always emphasised preserving nature. What is your perspective on this?
Sustainability is absolutely crucial. We are all feeling the impact of climate change—winters are getting shorter, the heat has already set in, and even events like the Kumbh Mela may see reduced footfall due to extreme weather. These small changes reflect broader shifts happening globally at geological and environmental levels.

I am very proud to say that Odisha's artistic traditions are inherently sustainable. Our artisans still preserve the age-old art of hand-weaving, and there is a growing demand for handwoven fabrics, which are often more valuable than industrially produced textiles. For generations, we have proudly worn handwoven fabrics, especially during festivals. Odisha’s rich tradition of sustainable craftsmanship makes a significant contribution to both cultural preservation and environmental responsibility.