A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration (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 Partala Cluster:-

Partala Cluster falls under Madhya Pradesh  State in Chhindwara district.

The Partala cluster is able to form 200 plus Artisans & 12 SHGs supporting the strong work force. The mobilization gains momentum day by day.

Grass, Leaf, Reed and Fiber:-

Like any other state Madhya Pradesh also produces wide variety of Grass Leaf items. This art is totally derived from nature and are free from chemicals and are environmentally friendly. The high- tensile strength of bamboo and easy to mould in any shape qualities have made it very popular for architectural uses. These artists give shape to many household items such as baskets, rice and vegetable strainers and brooms. Designer items such as furniture, racks are also in vogue. Bamboo has a great specialty; it does not require much of maintenance as once in a year wood polishing is sufficient for its longevity.

The articles from tender palm leaves which have their ribs removed and are then dried in the Sun include bags, dinner cases and ornamental hand held folding fans having anything between 37 to 56 blades.The blades are tied together by copper wire through holes on them and sewn together to spread out as a fan.The fans are made attractive in appearance by painting floral motifs on the blades.Palm leaf and stem weaving is a flourishing craft in southern Kerala with bags, hats, and suitcases being made both for the Indian and international markets these days.A reed is a firm-stemmed grass, with a hollow stem that looks like bamboo.It is a sturdy material and reed mats are used as walls for structures and roofs.The reed is first split and shaved before it is woven in a twill weave into mats. They are made starting at one corner and plaiting or weaving is done diagonally.Long strips are folded at the middle and another strip is inserted crosswise, which is in turn folded and the next strip is again inserted crosswise and so on.The creases of the crosswise strips form the edges of the mat.Reeds are also used to make very sturdy baskets.

Raw Materials Used :-

The villages of Madhya Pradesh 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 fibers 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 matting’s with 5/6 mts width and of continuous length are easily 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 Power loom & 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.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 modernization 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 Delhi – Mumbai, Chennai Broad gauge railway line passes through the district. Some important railway stations in the district are Salamatpur, Dewanganj, Sanchi, Mandideep, Obeyadullahganj and Barkheda. Raisen town is situated on state highway No. 18 and all parts of the district are well connected by regular buses. National high way No. 12 passes through the important towns of the district such as Mandideep Obeyadullahganj, Badi,Chindwara, Bareli and Udaipura.