The bamboo craft of Chhattisgarh has become a major draw at the ongoing India International Trade Fair (IITF) in New Delhi, officials stated.
The attractive purse, file covers, bags, wall hangings, baskets and pen-stand displayed in the stalls is attracting domestic as well as foreign visitors and buyers, officials said.
Bamboo craft artist Kosibai of Narayanpur said that the purse prepared from bamboo is being purchased by a large number of girl students, they stated.
Half of the total purse brought to the trade fair have been sold till date. Kosibai said that the Trade Fair not only gives good income for their products but also an opportunity to improve their product.
The bamboo craft is a unique representation of the centuries old tradition of tribal Chhattisgarh women. The bamboo craft is a tough work right from collection of bamboo to transforming it into beautiful artwork. The cleaning of raw bamboo is a real challenge for the artists as bamboo contains hidden worms. To remove the worms, the bamboo is heated briskly, said Kosi Bai.
Giving attractive shape to the bamboo is a long process and needs skill. The outer layer of the bamboo is peeled off and even the thin layer removed is used for preparation of different types of items and products, she said.
This apart, the State Government has provided a platform to the artists to showcase their talent. The women entrepreneurs are being promoted through bamboo craft. The bamboo mission was started in Bastar in 2006-07 and bamboo farming was promoted through this. The tribals were provided better employment opportunities through their traditional craftsmanship.
The artisans of Chhattisgarh’s famed bamboo craft items are now being made to participate in Dilli Haat and the prominent Trade Fair held in the national Capital for better marketing and sale of their products.
Through the Bamboo Craft Project, talented artisans of the area have received self-employment after being imparted proper training and other necessary assistance to them.
Housing arrangements have also been made available to these artisans through Indira Awas Yojana. Bamboo and other materials have been provided to them at local level in Bastar region of the State.
For the marketing of the crafts items, these artisans were being sent to the exhibitions, Delhi Haat, Trade Fair etc organised in big cities of the country, besides making proper efforts through Rajyotsav, Bastar lokotsav and Chhattisgarh Haat at local level.
Senior artisans of Narayanpur Bamboo Craft Project have brought fame to the district by organising exhibitions of their craftworks abroad also, officials stated.
