The highly popular handicraft makers in insurgency infested Bastar region are now getting training on how to market their products which are globally recognised. The initiative has been taken by Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board, officials stated. Quite recently, atleast 60 artisans from various districts of Bastar division participated in a two-day workshop on marketing organised by Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board here recently. The artisans were from Jagdalpur, Parchanpaan, Kondagaon, Chilkuti, Deurgaon, who took part in the workshop.
During the workshop, the artisans were told about where to sell their products and from where they could source the raw material for making the handicraft. The workshop was organised by the Office of Commissioner, Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board. Notably, in the month of November last year, women entrepreneurs from Bastar and other remote regions of Chhattisgarh who had set up their stalls displaying handicrafts and handlooms in the Chhattisgarh pavilion at 34th India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi had received huge response for their products from foreign visitors, officials informed.
The fortnight-long fair, which ended on November 27 last year was based on the theme ‘Women Entrepreneur’. The fair was open for traders and businessmen for first five days. During the business days, many tourists from foreign countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan visited the pavilion, inquired about the ‘Dhokra art’ of Chhattisgarh and showed interest in buying the handicrafts on wholesale.
It may be mentioned here that the Self-help Groups (SHGs) from various districts in Chhattisgarh had showcased their handicrafts in 19 stalls inside the pavilion of Chhattisgarh State at the fair. The pavilion at Hall No 2 apart from showcasing natural and mineral resources of the State, also had a wide range of handloom and dress materials on display to lure women visitors, they stated.
At the entrance of the hall, weavers working on table looms give the visitors an idea of how handlooms were eaved. The centre of the Chhattisgarh pavilion displayed bamboo, jute and bell metal works prepared by women. Officer of Chhattisgarh Tourism Information Centre in New Delhi, Manish Joshi had stated that people interested in travelling to Chhattisgarh got detailed information on tourist destinations.
The pavilion also had stalls each on ‘Godna’ Print, Teracotta (clay art), iron craft and bell metal put up by the groups from Bastar. A stall by Pragya art, Raipur has various showpieces and wall paintings made up of paper mash. Moreover, bamboo craft of Chhattisgarh had become a major draw in the ongoing India International Trade Fair in New Delhi, officials stated. The attractive purse, file covers, bags, wall hangings, baskets and pen-stand displayed in the stalls attracted domestic as well as foreign visitors and buyers, officials said.
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.
The State Government has provided a platform to the artists to showcase their talent at the fair. The craft made by women entrepreneurs were 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 were made to participate in Dilli Haat and the prominent trade fairs held in the national capital for better marketing and sale of their products.
Through the Bamboo Craft Project, talented artisans of the area received self-employment after being imparted proper training and other necessary assistance to them, officials stated. Housing arrangements were also being 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 fairs 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.
