"Homelife Services Pvt Ltd" promoting traditional weaving methods, art and crafts of Jharkhand
The State of Jharkhand
Jharkhand, the state of Eastern Indian is known for its beautiful waterfalls, elegant Jain temples, rich mineral resources, eye-catching water bodies surrounded by hills, forests and woodlands. Most importantly Jharkhand is famous for its ancient handicraft of Dhokra which is an art form handed down through the generations. The State complements its vibrant tribal culture. The talented tribal women artisans can make valuable contributions to the national society’s knowledge of socio-economic adaptations to fragile eco-systems.
The journey of the tribal women artisans of the Indian state of Jharkhand, is a story of determination, perseverance, and dedication to their age-old artistic traditions. They are adept in art like metal ware, wood ware, bamboo craft, hand-printed textiles, hand-knotted and embroidered textiles, leather goods, stoneware, carpets and floor coverings etc. Madhubani and Sohrai paintings are one of the most refined forms of paintings known worldwide. These artistic expressions reflecting the state's cultural past, are still thriving today because of the talented artisans who have been preserving these traditions for decades.
Art and Craft of Jharkhand
The art forms in the state of Jharkhand, which range from the complex designs of Madhubani painting to the vibrant visuals of Sohrai painting and the expert use of bamboo and metals in crafts and figures, provide a means of income for the artists and a source of inspiration for the art lovers from all over the world.
Jharkhand, where the Dhokra tribes belong, has the most common Dhokra art. This art form involves using an ordinary metal casting technique to create and develop metal sculptures.
Tribes in the southern region of the state engage in the tradition of Madhubani painting, another popular art form in Jharkhand. The paintings often include images from nature, folklore, or local life and are identified by their complex designs and vibrant colors.
The tribal people of Jharkhand perform a distinctive form of wall art known as Sohrai. This artwork, which is crafted by mixing mud and cow dung, often features scenes from daily life or regional legends of the remote villages of Jharkhand State.
My Startup, Tribal Women and Art and Craft
I have started my startup “Homelife Services Pvt Ltd” with an aim to empower women by creating opportunities and changing lives of the deprived talented women so that they play important role in society and form better half of their families. I believe that unrecognised talent hidden in the women of backward classes of our country should be determined for the country's growth as well. My team has been working with the aim of developing and educating such women to assist them utilizing their skills in being financially self reliant through manufacturing and selling indigenous handicrafts and the designer traditional products. My venture supports to promote handicrafts and handloom products of Jharkhand and helped them gaining a new horizon.
I not only believe in bringing about a positive change in the social status of the women associated with my startup but also aim to bring about an effective change in the status of living. This helps in developing good bonding between these women and my org. My org not only confined to making these women economically self dependent but also hone their skills by imparting them free skill development courses. My org has succeeded in bringing a remarkable change in stereotype thinking of these women and making themselves a world without any boundary.
I have not only worked for the development of such women but also provided employment opportunities to more than 143 rural backward women. I have been assisting them by providing better training options to hone their skills in the handicraft industry.
During my visits to the remote villages of Jharkhand I discover that the women of tribal community are also skilled for the large bamboo craft, wood craft industry, especially in the rural parts of the state. Bamboo and wood are used by artisans to make a broad variety of goods, including baskets, furniture, decorative lights and many household items. Both the locals and tourists admire these precious crafts, which are a significant source of revenue for many local craftsmen of the state. I must mention here that although the women artisans lack complete education, their hidden talent will always remain unmatched. I feel that making them pursue handcraft will do the greater good in utilizing their talent as well as increasing the international trade options in the art and craft industry through the “Homelife Services Pvt Ltd”.
Challenges
In our men predominant society it is normal believe that women are meant to confine in household chores only. In remote villages of state like Jharkhand it is almost impossible for women to work moving out of their homes. Their skills remain unnoticed and unrecognised by the outside world. Due to domestic responsibilities, lack of opportunities and financial restrictions, dreams of most these women remains unachievable. “Homelife Services Pvt Ltd” has been working to break through these restrictions and guiding them right path towards utilizing their skills and marketing them for sustainable development.
Success Stories
Anita Devi grew to earn from ₹500 to ₹10,000 per month with her skills in bamboo crafts. Anita Devi expressed her experience by stating, "I have been working with the startup for the last one year. She once came to our village and taught us to make handicraft items. Also, the products used for making the items have been provided by Mrs. Pampi Das, the Director of the Homelife Services Pvt Ltd. My husband is an auto driver and we were not so economically strong. But fortunately, the organization has helped me and they have provided me opportunities to take part in expos to sell products."
Rekha Devi, a single mother, residing near B.I.T. Mishra, improved her financial status earning ₹2000 to ₹15000 and able to save for the better future of her kids. Many more women like Anita Devi and Rekha Devi are now able to explore their traditional skills thereby securing future for their families. The major talented women whose talents and skills have turned a blind eye mainly reside in remote areas of Jharkhand.
These women artisans have not only proven themselves as thriving entrepreneurs but also guided many other women on the journey to self-reliance. Now they are able to convert their skills into a business by targeting a particular market and marketing their products into that market. Another way by which they make their business thrive is by expanding their network and by using "Word of mouth" and I have been helping their artwork to grow online via my e-commerce platform of my startup “www.thehomelifeservices.com”
"Homelife Services Pvt Ltd" has maintained and promoted traditional weaving methods, art and crafts of various remote villages of India and succeeded in connecting rich Indian tradition worldwide. In addition to providing economic opportunities for these women, I am also promoting ethical, sustainable methods in the textile sector and preserving India's rich traditions by working with these artisans.
From the Director
“Success lies in the hard work and hard work lies in hunting new talents of women artisan of remote villages”. My work with tribal women handicraft artisans aims to preserve both social and cultural norms in addition to their economic empowerment. helping in preserving the cultural legacy and identity of the tribal groups in Jharkhand by helping the artisans and promoting their work.
The results of the shift of the tribal women artisans in Jharkhand from art to entrepreneurship are inspiring. This shift gives them the ability to convert their talents and love of the arts into lasting sources of livelihood while keeping up and preserving the state's rich cultural heritage.
Pampi Rani Das
Founder and Director
HomeLife Services Pvt Ltd, An Army Officer's wife, Mother of a four year old.
MA in mass communication & journalism from Gauhati University, Assam.
An altruistic and aesthete.
