Local to Global: Gorakhpur terracotta crafts set to shine at UP International Trade Show 2024

The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh is ready to promote traditional terracotta art and support artists. The government is trying to take this rare art form from the Gorakhpur region to the international level. As part of this, the products of the artists are being displayed in four special pavilions at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show to be held in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The UP government is involved in an effort to introduce terracotta art to the world through this event, which will be held from September 25 to 29.

In 2018, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took steps to promote terracotta art. The Chief Minister took the initiative to include this in the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. National award-winning terracotta artist Rajan Prajapati said that this decision completely changed this industry. This art, which was struggling before 2017, has now reached new heights. He said that through this one project, orders worth more than Rs 7 crore have been received from various states.

Various types of terracotta items will be on display at the upcoming trade show, providing artists with an excellent opportunity to enter the global market. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is undertaking continuous branding efforts to revive this art and support the artists.

When Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited Gorakhpur, Chief Minister Yogi presented a terracotta Ganesha statue as a gift. In 2022, terracotta statues were presented to the then President Ram Nath Kovind. Thus, CM Yogi is taking all necessary steps to popularize this art.

The government's efforts have not only promoted the art but also ensured its quality and appeal, resulting in celebrities and their employees making substantial purchases. With the global market now open, Gorakhpur's terracotta craft is poised for unprecedented growth.