Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Sujit Meher, a Bangalore-based Odia designer gave a new identity to Odisha handloom by branding it at the international platform and received the ‘Best Designer For Social Impact’ award from Star India.
According to the reports, Sujit has initiated the way to send Odisha handloom saris and dress materials to foreign countries. For promoting Odisha textile, handloom and design he received the award.
The award-giving ceremony was scheduled to be held last April in Mumbai. But, due to the pandemic, it could not be held. And because of the current Coronavirus situation, the award was given at a virtual ceremony.
Sujit stated that over 200 artists and weavers from Gopalpur, Sambalpur and Berhampur are deployed in this work. They make the design and weave the materials and then they send them to me in Bangalore. His team then stitches these materials into different designs and he sends these Saries and dresses abroad like to the US, Dubai and some European countries.
He also shared that he is planning to use the handloom of Odisha for costumes worn during wedding ceremonies. They have started experimenting with Tussar from Berhampur and Gopalpur and Pata from Nuapatna and Sambalpur. He had also brought some artisans from Rajasthan to give training in the stonework to 15 women of the Kalahandi district.
