The Chhattisgarh Government will get a documentary film made for marketing Bastar’s handicraft especially bell metal, wood craft, wrought iron and bamboo artefact prepared by tribals in insurgency-infested Kondagaon district in the global marketplace.
Kondagaon is also known for 'Terracotta elephants' made by the tribals.
Being a newly formed district, there is less knowledge about the region and its significance.It is for this reason, the district administration will be coming out with a documentary to capture the rich cultural traditions, rituals and customs of the tribals in the region for providing an impetus to the traditional handicrafts and showcase to the world along with the district’s scenic natural beauty, officials stated.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board sold craft items worth `3.07 crores during 2014-15, officials here stated.
The proceeds from sale includes items worth Rs 2.25 crore sold from Shabari Emporiums within and outside Chhattisgarh.
In the current financial year, a target of selling `4 crore worth of handicrafts had been fixed by the Board. There are about 20,000 artisans currently engaged in making of various handicrafts in the State.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board has targetted to train 1500 bamboo craftsmen this year.
The Board is operating three special projects for development and upliftment of bamboo craftsmen in Chhattisgarh, officials stated.
The Central Government has sanctioned financial aid of `4.20 crore lakh in fiscal year 2012-13 for the projects.
In a review meeting recently chaired by State Village Industries Minister Punnulal Mohle at the Mantralaya in Naya Raipur, the Board officials had informed that Special Bamboo Art Project has been initiated in Mohla-Manpur of Rajnandgaon district, Beltara of Bilaspur district, and Gariaband District Headquarters, wherein equipment, workshop building, warehouses, Haat and rooms for craftsmen have been constructed with the financial aid sanctioned by Central Government.
Notably in March last year, the handicraft makers in insurgency infested Bastar region were also trained on how to market their products.
The initiative had been taken by Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board, officials stated Earlier, atleast 60 artisans from various districts of Bastar division participated in a two-day workshop on Marketing organised by CHDB.
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.