RThis Diwali, the earthen diyas would light houses of the artisans who are now engaged in presenting them in a modern form. Nicely coloured, decorated, packed in attractive boxes, these diyas made by the artisans from Imlikheda village near Roorkee have started getting orders from the corporate houses under the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation Uttarakhand Limited Haridwar.
Inspired by Uttarakhand art Aipan, the general manager of the District Industries Centre has empowered some poor women artisans by teaching them the art of designing, packaging and marketing. Under the aegis of Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council, this initiative has been taken.
Chandrakiran, a young girl from Imlikheda village, had never been out of her house to explore the commercial markets of Delhi. From a nondescript village, Imlikheda-nearly 25 kms away from Haridwar city-she had spent her life on the potter’s wheel. For the first time ahead of this Diwali, she reached Chandni Chowk in Delhi to learn and also to do festival shopping.
Attractively packaged earthen lamps made by Chandrakiran and others of the village have started fetching orders from the corporate houses. Chandrakiran said, "We have been taught the art of presenting the traditional diyas in new forms in tune with the present industry trends. We were skilled in the craft, but now we have adopted the latest designs popular in the market. These earthen lamps are eco-friendly and eye catchy too."
Sadhna, Lucy and many others from 40 families of Kumhars received training held under the guidance of the District Industries Centre Haridwar. Sadhna, 24, who runs a self-help group in Imlikheda had taken some girls to the two-day training where they learnt the art of new-making the traditional earthen diyas and came back, beaming with confidence. Now they are confident enough to take on the demands of the corporate world.
Anjani Rawat Negi, general manager, District Industries Centre, said, “Earlier, the artisans used the traditional system of producing diyas from the wooden wheels which fetched them no value addition. To promote ‘Mati Kala’ (art of pottery), electric potter’s wheels were given them a few years ago.
Besides, we trained them on potting a novel type of diyas with two layers. This has helped them to transform the traditional into the modern,” she said.
“It took us nearly three months to get the final output of finely packaged diyas with a message printed on the box. A visit to Delhi markets was arranged and the young girls learnt about the modern techniques of décor.
Over 10,000 diyas are ready for this Diwali and by selling them, the artisans would receive good returns of their labour. We would also try to get advanced technology equipments for drying in future,” Rawat added.
Another artisan Lucy from Imlikheda village said, “For the first time, we would get true reward for our labour when these earthen lamps reach the industrialists’ homes in SIIDCUL. We all are waiting to celebrate this Diwali with the gaiety which eluded us because of our poverty. ”
The District Magistrate Haridwar Deepak Rawat who supported the project was elated over the diya boxes stockpiled, ready for dispatch while he visited the village. He urged the young girls to march on with confidence. "This is in line with Make in India concept of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Besides, such diyas are eco-friendly," he added.
“What is the most heartening is the fact that the venture has revived the vanishing traditional ‘Aipan’ art. It is once again taking the fancy of the people. Aipan or Alpana as it is commonly called is a popular art form of Kumaon and is used to paint walls, clothes with geometrical designs and some pictures of gods and goddesses. It has an exalted place in the Kumaoni homes, tradition and culture,” Anjani Rawat Negi said while talking to The Pioneer and added that ‘Aipan’ is derived from the Hindi word ‘Arpan’ and the raw material is simple ‘Geru’ (ochre) colour and rice paste.