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 Thirunelveli Cluster:-   

 
Thirunelveli Cluster falls under Tamilnadu  State in Tiruenvelli district.

The Triruenvelli cluster is able to form 300 plus Artisans & 12 SHGs supporting the strong work force. The mobilisation gains momentum day by day.

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Cane and Bamboo:-

The creeper plant Cane or rattan is known as Himalayacalamus falconeri while the Tamil reed bamboo is known as Ochlandra wightii(Munro). These fibres are used primarily for making furniture, bowls, baskets and other house hold items. The outer coating of the stem is removed and the inner one is dried and heated till it becomes supple. The products are manufactured at Thanjavur and Arcot apart from Chennai and other places. Contemporary craftsmen also make utility items like baskets and trays.

While palm has become a major source of raw material for basketry and related products, bamboo, cane, grasses, reeds and fibres are also used in making baskets, ropes, mats and many other items. The main centers of these crafts are to be found in Dharampuri, Salem, Coimbatore, South Arcot and Tiruchirapalli districts.

Raw materials Used :-

The villages of Tamil Nadu are full of Cane and Bamboo. Cane & Bamboo 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 whole stem of cane and bamboo is cut with a hacksaw and split longitudinally into various sizes by a billhook. The cane is heated on a slow fire, generally with a kerosene lamp for flexibility. The objects can be made in two different forms: coiling for baskets; and weaving for mats. In coiled basketry, foundation of the basket is built first by coiling a cane round a central core.It is built up spirally and gradually the width is increased until desired height is attained. The coils are joined together by sewing strips which can be attached in two ways: each stitch passed over the new portion of the foundation coil. Figure of eight is made i.e., the stitch passes behind up, over and under the preceding coil and right over the new coil. Thus coil material is sewn with the strips and a basket is made.The ornamentation of the baskets can be done with attaining lace, paper and shells.

The craftsmen cut the bamboo into sizes of desired length with the help of cutting tools called Dao. Bamboo length cut as per thickness with the help of different kinds of knives. The material thus ready is used for making frame of an article or furniture where as pencil cane is used for designing and binding purpose. The thick cane is used for making frame of an article or furniture where as pencil cane is used for designing and binding purpose. The cane is bend in the desired shape for a furniture or article by process of heating with blow lamp.The ends are joined with adhesive and nail and the joints are binded with strips of pencil cane. The items produced in cane & bamboo are cleaned with sand-paper and polished with varnish.

The whole stem of cane and bamboo is cut with a hacksaw and split longitudinally into various sizes by a bill hook. The cane is heated on a slow fire, generally with a kerosene lamp for flexibility. The objects can be made in two different forms: oiling for baskets; and weaving for mats. In coiled basketry, foundation of the basket is built first by coiling a cane round a central core. It is built up spirally and gradually the width is increased until desired height is attained. The coils are joined together by sewing strips which can be attached in two way each stitch passes behind up, over and under the preceding coil and right over the new coil. Thus coil material is sewn with the strips and basket is made. The ornamentation of the baskets can be done with lace, paper and shells.

The whole stem of cane and bamboo is cut with a hacksaw and split longitudinally into various sizes by a bill hook. The cane is heated on a slow fire, generally with a kerosene lamp for flexibility. The objects can be made in two different forms coiling for baskets; and weaving for mats. In coiled basketry, foundation of the basket is built first by coiling a cane round a central care. It is built up spirally and gradually the width is increased until desired height is attained. The coils are joined together by sewing strips which can be attached in two ways by each stitch passing over the new portion of the foundation coil. Figure of light is made i.e. the stitch passes behind up, over and under the proceeding coil and right over the new coil. Thus coil material is sewn with the strips and basket is made. The ornamentation of the baskets can be done with attaining lace, paper and shells.

The whole stem of cane & bamboo is cut with a hacksaw and split longitudinally into various sizes by a bill-hook. The cane is heated on a slow fire with a kerosene lamp for flexibility. The objects can be made in different forms. Korahi (tray) is made in the twill technique in which the weft stands at a time, producing a diaper design. Their use ranges from rearing silk worms to winnowing grain. Then a number of measures are made in conical shapes. Large set of fishing contraptions are prepared of bamboo and cane, with a distinct shape. For making Japis, a spiked circle, is made with two bamboo strips, one inside the other, interspersed with a number of motifs like the cross crescent stars, and small circle with circles of butterfly like designs with a face in the centre against a bright red background.

The production of cane and bamboo articles involves the cutting of whole stems with a hacksaw and split longitudinally into various size using a bill hook or dao. The cane is heated on a slow fire with a kerosene lamp for flexibility. The weaving process is done by hand, using water to soften the splits.

The whole stem of cane & bamboo is cut longitudinally into various size by a bill hook. The cane is heated on a slow fire with a kerosene lamp for flexibility.The objects can be made in different forms.

The production of cane and bamboo articles involves the cutting of whole stems with a hack saw and slicing them into splits of various sizes using a bill hook or dao. Slicing is done longitudinally along the length of the densely packed fibres and a fairly smooth operation, requiring only the requisite amount of moisture in the culm. A kerosene lamp is used to heat the cane before it can be bent into shape.

The whole stein of cane & bamboo is cut with a hacksaw and spilt longitudinally into various size by a bill hook. The cane is heated on a slow fire, with a kerosene lamp for flexibility. The objects can be made in different forms. The weaving process is done by hand, using water to soften the splits.

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.

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How to Reach:-

By Air:-

The nearest airport from Tirunelveli is Tuticorin airport that is located at a distance of 28 kilometers from the downtown Tirunelveli. Tuticorin airport sees very less flights but Trivandrum airport that is around 150 kilometers in Kerala has regular flights for various cities in India as well as South and West Asia.

By Road:-

Tirunelveli is well connected by road. The city is located on the National Highway no. 7. It is well connected to all the major cities of Peninsular India by National as well as state highways. The Tamilnadu Transport Corporation operates buses to Chennai, Bangalore, Salem, Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Erode and Tirupati originating from Tirunelveli.

By Train:-

The Tirunelveli Junction railway station is an extremely busy and important railway junction in Tamilnadu. It connects Tirunelveli to all the major cities in India and Tamilnadu such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Trichy, Tanjore and Kanyakumari. Various express and super fast trains pass through Tirunelveli