Curator’s Eye: An Anthropological Analysis of Old Vanishing Art and Craft of Ganjam District of Odisha

While looking at an antique artifact and oblivious question arises out of curiosity which sometime remains unanswered. Question possibly may be- how this thing came in to existence? How this thing was made and who made it? All this and many more questions are expected to be answer accurately during the anthropological studies and analysis. There are many traditional art and crafts of tribal and folk people of Odisha, which are now on the verge of extinction. This paper is an attempt to describe and illustrate the contents of rich Art and Craft special reference to Ganjam district of Odisha which are dying in nature now a days. The invisible role of curators who plays a vital role in expanding and preserving their literatures those remain concealed in the Art and Craft traditions. The paper deals with Anthropological documentation among the Dera, Metal craft and Chitrakar communities of Odisha especially on the collection of Dying arts and crafts.