From Canvas to Community: Art as a Tool for Women’s Empowerment in The Kandha Tribe of Kandhamal, Odisha

Abstract

This article explores the empowerment of women in the Adivasi Kandha community of Kandhamal district, Odisha. Where Kandha women live deeply rooted in cultural arts and traditions yet face poverty, marginalization, and limited educational opportunities that have driven them to improve their economic situation. By focusing on traditional arts, they achieve economic stability, independence, leadership, and social awareness. Art also empowers these women socially while preserving their cultural heritage, serving as a mirror of the tribe’s values, struggles, and aspirations, and providing a creative outlet where they express their identity. Drawing on interviews, case studies, and historical context, this paper examines their artistic expressions alongside the social constraints and challenges they face and highlights their vision for a sustainable future. Ultimately, it shows how their resilience, strength, and creativity bridge the gap between culture and socio economic progress, allowing Kandha women to reclaim their identity and reshape their destinies.