A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration (a city/town/few adjacent villages and their adjoining areas) of units producing near similar products and facing common opportunities and threats. An artisan cluster is defined as geographically concentrated (mostly in villages/townships) household units producing handicraft/handloom products. In a typical cluster, such producers often belong to a traditional community, producing the long-established products for generations. Indeed, many artisan clusters are centuries old Artisan.

About Chinnapalanpkam Cluster:-

Chinnapalanpkam Usur Cluster falls under Tamil Nadu State in Vellore district.

The Chinnapalanpkam & Usur cluster is able to form 187 plus Artisans &  8 SHGs supporting the strong work force. The mobilisation gains momentum day by day.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grass  Leaf, Reed, Fiber:-

Several products are made out of the different parts of the palm trees in North and South Arcot, Salem, Thiruchirapalli, and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu which include baskets in various patterns from Palmyra fibers and leaves as well as mats from the stem of the date palm. Tender palm leaves are separated from the strips and joined together by winding a running strip over them which is then folded like a ribbon and fastened by a thin strip of leaf to connect the layers at intervals, thus yielding a uniform and rhythmic pattern with pleasant colors in fine texture to include products like suitcases, boxes, bags, baskets, screens, chiks, mats, glass holders, vases, hats, beautiful sieves, hand fans, square mats and trinket boxes.

Raw Materials Used :-

The villages of Tamil Nadu are full of Palm trees, coconut, date and Palmyra. Palm is the major source of raw material for preparing baskets and related products. Other raw materials like bamboo, cane, grasses, fibers and reeds are also used in making baskets, thatch, ropes, mats and many other things.

Process:-

The jute fiber comes from the stem and ribbon (outer skin) of the jute plant. The fibers are first extracted by retting. The retting process consists of bundling jute stems together and immersing them in low, running water. There are two types of retting: stem and ribbon. After the retting process, stripping begins. Women and children usually do this job.In the stripping process, non-fibrous matter is scraped off, then the workers dig in and grab the fibres from within the jute stem.

Jute bags are used for making fashion bags & promotional bags.The eco-friendly nature of jute makes its ideal for corporate gifting.

Jute floor coverings consist of woven and tufted and piled carpets. Jute Mats and mattings with 5 / 6 mts width and of continuous length are easilly being woven in Southern parts of India, in solid and fancy shades, and in different weaves like, Boucle, Panama, Herringbone, etc. Jute Mats & Rugs are made both through Powerloom & Handloom, in large volume from Kerala, India. The traditional Satranji mat is becoming very popular in home décor. Jute non-wovens and composites can be used for underlay, linoleum substrate, and more.

Jute has many advantages as a home textile, either replacing cotton or blending with it.It is a strong, durable, color and light-fast fibre.Its UV protection, sound and heat insulation, low thermal conduction and anti-static properties make it a wise choice in home décor. Also, fabrics made of jute fibres are carbon-dioxide neutral and naturally decomposable. These properties are also why jute can be used in high performance technical textiles .Moreover, jute can be grown in 4–6 months with a huge amount of cellulose being produced from the jute hurd that can meet most of the wood needs of the world. Jute is the major crop among others that is able to protect deforestation by industrialisation.

Thus, jute is the most environment-friendly fibre starting from the seed to expired fibre, as the expired fibres can be recycled more than once.

Techniques:-

The practical course is to introduce modernisation of technique and improve the skills and make the worker capable of enhancing his productivity and his earnings so as to enable him to meet at least the basic necessities of life and come out of the clutches of poverty within reasonable time.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How to Reach:-

The nearest airport from the city of Vellore is Chennai. Chennai is well connected to other important cities in India and world through air service.Nearly all the major operators in India have their service to and from Chennai. From Chennai you can take a bus or Train to Vellore. The nearest railhead is Katpadi that is just 6 kilometers from Vellore. Katpadi falls in Chennai-Bangalore-Mumbai line and is thus well connected to the rest of Tamilnadu and India. Several Express as well as Super-Fast trains are available to and from Katpadi to other destinations in Peninsular India.Vellore falls on the busy Chennai-Bangalore highway.It is well connected to rest of the Peninsular India with a network of state as well as National highways. Tamilnadu Transport Corporation and Private operators ply buses from Vellore to other neighboring cities in and around Tamilnadu.