Pipili

Pipili is a town of Puri district . It is famous for designing beautiful Applique handicrafts. It is a town of artisans famous for their colorful fabrics.

It is 36 kilometres from Puri, and 18 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, at the junction where the Konark road branches from the Bhubaneswar to Puri road.

The applique work of Pipili, also known as "chandua" in colloquial language, is probably most well known handicraft in Puri and surrounding area. Each and every family of darjisahi a well known applique village's people are engaged in this applique craft. This is livelihood of most people here.

Appliqué is ornamental needlework in which pieces or patches of fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn or stuck onto a larger piece to form a picture or pattern. It is commonly used as decoration, especially on garments. The technique is accomplished either by hand stitching or machine. Appliqué is commonly practiced with textiles, but the term may be applied to similar techniques used on different materials. In the context of ceramics, for example, an appliqué is a separate piece of clay added to the primary work, generally for the purpose of decoration.

The term appliqué is derived from French and Latin verbs appliquer and applicare, respectively, which both mean to join or attach. Like embroidery, it has a humble beginning. The technique was used as a way to strengthen worn areas of items or to patch holes that had formed. Early appliqué was used to lengthen the life of clothing and moved into artful techniques that can be seen in blankets and quilts from numerous cultures from all over the world.

The village of Pipli was set up for accommodating the craftsmen of Orissa. Initially, the craftsmen only made banners, umbrellas and canopies for the festive occasions, but with the popularity of the art, the artisans started making many items of utility. Pipli is a town of artisans famous for their colorful fabrics. The applique work of Pipili is probably most well-known handicraft in Puri and surrounding areas.

The craft involves embroidering and stitching of small pieces of colored cloth with flowers, animals, village scene and traditional designs on to a larger base cloth. The cloth used for patch as well as base is cotton with different color combinations. The usual appliqué patchwork items are Garden Umbrellas, Wallets, Wall Hanging, lampshades, Pouches & Bags.

There are many shops which sell various textile in both silk and cotton with the beautiful ikat and bomkai work. Filigree silver jewellery, bidriware, lampshades, countless gifting items etc. are also available here.