Three artsy youngsters make mini-dolls that reflect the culture and heritage of Odisha. Check it out

The art bug is such that once it bites someone, the person is never the same. And no matter what they pursue, nothing is as fulfilling as pursuing art. Such is the life of Debi Prasad Rout. Though the pursuit of education took this Odia guy to St Xavier's College, Kolkata, he would still sketch. When he started getting orders, he sketched more. And after he launched his brand, DPR Artlife, sketching is all that the 25-year-old did.

Debi was joined by friends and now Co-founders Lipsha Das and Dhiren Samal. "We always wanted to get back to Odisha and do something in our state, so in 2017, we took a 2BHK apartment in Bhubaneswar and started our own makeshift studio," says Lipsha. But what did they start exactly? They collaborated with five artisans from the capital city of Odisha, who were masters of pattachitra, and started creating products, mini dolls, hand-painted plates as wall decor, boxes resplendent with colourful motifs, tissue boxes, coasters and so much more. "We like an amalgamation of traditional art, utility and modern touches. So that's what we set out to do through our products," says 25-year-old Lipsha.'

Debi and Lipsha | (Pic: DPR Artlife)

But it was in July 2019 that the trio achieved their first, huge milestone — a proper studio that they can finally call their own with a wooden workshop as well. "We brainstorm, meet the artisans, few of whom work at the studio, collaborate and do a lot more out of our studio," says Lipsha who calls Balasore her hometown. To date, they have fulfilled 200 orders and they receive about three to hour orders per week. "Now that we have moved into our own space, we want to diversify and start making artistic furniture too. The wooden workshop and the improvised tools we have come up with is helping us with the matters," informs the youngster who is responsible for marketing, meeting artists, production and so on for DPR Artlife. Think small tables, chairs, all unique and artistic in their own way. The lockdown might have delayed their plans, but it hasn't halted them because they are back to work now.  

Mini dolls | (Pic: DPR Artlife)

This is where we should mention their mini dolls, which are Lipsha's favourite. They make customised dolls as per the requests of the clients, complete with similar features, clothes, the works. They specialise in bride-groom mini dolls and trust us when we say it's adorable. "We have made bride-groom mini dolls from 13 states," informs the youngster.     

More of their work

For more on them, check out instagram.com/dpr_artlife