A ten-day Handicrafts exhibition-cum-sale organised by Chhattisgarh Maati Board is currently underway at Chhattisgarh Haat, Pandri.
live demonstration of handicrafts by artisans is the salient features of the exhibition. The exhibition will conclude on March 13. Terracota and wood art will be on display at the exhibition. The exhibition is being sponsored by Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Textile Ministry Government of India. One of the participant in the exhibiton, Yuvraj Chakradhari of Kumhari took training from Gajanan Chakradhari in Terracotta art. Now he specialises in making interior items like mask, chandeliers and elephants.
The clay art runs in his blood, as he comes from a family of potters, but he does not believe in taking the beaten path. He is determined to make innovations to augment his income. Given his expertise in Terracotta art, Yuvraj now gives training on behalf of Government. Yuvraj strongly believes that innovation is an important part of skill. He said there are 70 potters in his village, but they resist to experiment with new things. He maintains that there is a vast scope for profit from terracotta.
“After learning this art, now I am able to use even a small lump of clay. I can make small idol of Ganesha, which gets me Rs 50. If we get electric wheel, we can still produce better artifacts.”