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 Dariapur Cluster:-

Dariapur  Cluster falls under West Bengal State in  Bardhaman district.

The Dariapur cluster is able to form 400 plus Artisans & 25 SHGs supporting the strong work force. The mobilization gains momentum day by day. Dariapur  Cluster is famous for Hand print, Hand Embroidery and Metal Ware Craft.

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Hand Printed:-

The Resist Process called Dabu is used here involves using wax or gum clay mixed with resin. With the help of brush or block or by hand this is applied to the portions of the cloth. The color is then applied to it. The wax is then washed off in hot or flowing water and the applied colour moves into this area to give a diffused effect. This process is some what similar to the batik procees. Now Block printing is done on the portion of the cloth where the original colour is retained. The fabric is highlighted by printing Specific outlines and patterns against the contrast colour. Due to the use of wax the designs get a broken appearance like batik due to the leakage of colour once the resist is washed off. The small Chaubundi print in indigo is famous in Birbhum.

Chanderi Stoles and Dupattas, Mangalgiri Salwar Suits and Sarees, Maheshwari Salwar Suits and Sarees, Tussar Salwar Suits and Sarees, Georgette Sarees, Chiffon Sarees, Printed fabrics in Khadi cotton and Khadi Silk, Printed Cottons in Voile and Sheeting.

Hand embroidery :-

Kantha is the most popular embroidery of West Bengal done with folk motifs. Other embroideries include the chikan work, the zari work and Kashida. The fine subtle form of chikan embroidery is usually done on very fine textured cloth like muslin and cotton. The embroidery is usually done by the same coloured thread as the cloth itself. Like blue thread is used on light blue cloth while white thread may be used on white cloth. Though white on white is a popular combination other colored threads are also used in white cloth.


Silk embroidery on cotton clothes, the Kashida, is the most common form and is used primarily for caps and scarves used by the Muslims for prayers. More contemporary modern embroidery involves Kashmiri stitches, Cross stitches, Convent stitches, Cut work and combinations. Kathiawari mirror work is also used in abundance. The modern style uses alpana designs and motifs of flowers, animals and birds.
The main flat stitches with their traditional names are:

Metal Ware:-

Metal craft of West Bengal can be featured with the socio cultural aspect of the state in association with the tradition. The shrines and the temples are the examples of rich cultural heritage of the state with standard materials.

The metal craft of West Bengal includes the usage of metals like Brass and Bell metals and the people of Kansari community mainly create different items out of them. Castings of brass items are practiced by the people of Ganjam. The motifs used in the decorative pieces are mainly inspired from the folk culture of West Bangal .

Raw Materials:-

In India, Brass and Copper are used for making various usable objects since ancient time. It has a rich tradition of making metal objects which are used for both religious and secular purposes. A wide variety of objects include standing lamps, aarathi (votive lamps), deepalakshmis, hand lamps and chain lamps. Shallow dishes circular, hexagonal, octagonal and oval shapes are widely used and are made out of bronze or sheet brass. The popular Thanjavur plates are characterized by designs of deities, birds, flowers, and geometric patterns beaten out from the back of copper and silver sheets and subsequently encrusted on a brass tray, kudam or panchpaathra. Metal toys are also popular and are sold at various gift outlets in various towns and cities of the state.

Process:-

The craftsmen cast their own pieces, making moulding clay from sand, resin and oil in proportion (20:2:1) and add borax to the clay surface to prevent the metal sticking.The alloy, the darkened zinc used as base is described as nine to sixteen part of zinc to one of copper, is melted and poured into the moulds and solidified.

The surface of the rough cast of the articles is filed and smoothened with sand paper and then rubbed with a solution of copper sulphate to impart a dark surface to provide a suitable base for the next stage of tracing the design and engraving.

To engrave the design, wax from honeycomb and Raal a bonding agent is used. This solution is spread on a flat stone and the article to be engraved is fixed on it. The design is traced by hand, with the help of chisels and pure silver wire of 95% purity is inlaid in the grooves to form designs. There are five different types of tools used for engraving.

In the ultimate interesting stage, the articles are heated gently and treated with a solution of sal-ammoniac and earth taken from old fort buildings, which has the effect of making the entire surface turn jet black providing a distinct contrast to the shining silver inlay.

It is this contrast that lends Bidri a uniqueness that no other metal ware could possibly claim. Finally, oil is rubbed on the piece to deepen the black matt coating. The entire process is done by hand hence, is time consuming.

Techniques:-

The techniques of metalworking follow the same principles, whether the scale of design is industrial or sculptural, or even at the tiny scale of a ring or a pair of earrings. Furthermore, many of the basic techniques also relate to work in other media.

Applique:- The technique of creating a design by soldering or granulating cut-out shapes of sheet metal to another metal surface.

Casting:- The process of shaping a molten metal by means of a mold.

Chasing:- A technique for surface embellishing of metal accomplished by driving pointed tools into the metal.

Enameling:- The fusing of a glassy substance onto metal. Enamels are combinations of flux and metal oxides (for color). Cloisonne is one of the better known enamel techniques.

Repousee:- A technique of pushing metal out from its reverse side using hammers and punches in order to create a low relief design on the front.

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How to Reach:-

By Air:-

The nearest airport from Bardhaman is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport of Kolkata. It is located about 160 km from the place and caters to all the major Indian destinations, apart from a few international ones as well. From the Kolkata Airport, you will have to board bus or private taxi for reaching Bardhaman.

By Road:-

The road connectivity of the district is also very good. Interstate bus services connect the city, with key destinations in India, on a regular basis. Well-maintained four-lane GT Road is there for those who want to drive down to the place, by their own car.

By Train:-

Numerous trains pass through the Bardhaman district. The Howrah-Delhi line also passes through it. There is constant connectivity to the place through rail, as it is one of the major rail heads in the state.