A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration (a city/town/few adjacent village 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 Bastar Cluster:-Bastar Cluster falls under ChhattisgarhState in Raipur district.The Bastar cluster is able to form 237 plus Artisans & 20 SHGs supporting the strong work force. The mobilization gains momentum day by day.Metal Ware:-Chhattisgarh is the largest brass and copper making region in the world with thousands of establishments spread all over for articles made out of one or more pieces of metal.The copper or brass sheet is first marked out by a pair of compass and the piece or pieces cut off by a scissor called katari. The required shape is made by alternate heating and hammering, and is finally turned on the lathe. The final polish to the article is given on the lathe itself.Metal ornaments have been a rave in all ages and times. The attractive contrasts in colours and textures of metals has led to the evolution of metal ornamentation through techniques like inlay, overlay, applique, fixing of colours etc.The princely states of India demanded not only enamelled jewellery but also enamelled utensils such as wine-cups, finger-bowls, pill boxes etc., in both gold and silver repousse, sometimes studded with jewels.The craftspersons of India excel in this art. With the evolution of new tools,techniques and skills, they are now better equipped to cater to modern tastes.Fully geared to meet modern market demands, today the gold and silver plated articles produced are usually plain or even when ornamented are devoid of extensive encrustation.Portions of silver articles are sometimes covered with water.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:-Inlay is a means of ornamentation of a surface by the setting of other materials into it. Mainly brass or copper wires are used in wood inlay. After cutting the wood from a bigger block in the desired size, a pattern originally traced on a paper, is transferred onto the wood. Copper or brass metal is beaten into thin sheets and cut into fine wire. The design traced on the wooden surface is incised with the aid of a hammer and chisel which is held lightly and tapped with a mallet. The brass or copper wire is hammered into the engraved portion of the design. If ivory is to be inlaid, then, ivory pieces of required shape and size are cut by a saw and fixed with glue at the desired places in the design. After inlay with brass wire or ivory, the wood is smoothened with a file and polished to give a better finish.Techniques:-1.Inlay2.Cutting3.Smoothing4.PolishedHow to Reach:-By Air:-Travelers taking the air route for reaching Bastar have to target the only airport in the state located at Raipur.By Road:-Jagdalpur , the district head quarters of Bastar district is well connected by roads to all important cities and towns of the state and near by states also. It is connected to the state capital , Raipur in the north by the National Highway ( NH - 49 ). Direct interstate bus services are also available from Jagdalpur to Vishakhapatnam , Rajahmundri , Hyderabad , Vijayawada , Jeypore and Koraput.By Train:-There is only a limited railway facility available at Jagdalpur . The one and only railway line start from Kinadul(Dantewada Dist.) to Vishakhapatam which passes through Jagdalpur. This railway line is broad gauge and completely electrified.The approximate distance to be covered by the train to reach Vishakapatnam from Jagdalpur is 320 k.m.
Cane and Bamboo:-From time immemorial Tripura has carved out a name for itself in the field of Handicrafts.The Gifted artisans produce wonderful objects of crafts from simple material like cane, bamboo & wood. There rare artistic skill has not been streamlined in the manufacture of exquisite household pieces. Tripura's unique topography and the gracious nature bestowed their choicest blessings on the hereditary artisans of Tripura.With the passage of time, there have been changes in the demographic character of the state.But in each phase of her history, Tripura has shown remarkable inner strength of assimilation of synthesis, while retaining her own traditional heritage.With the original distinct tribal motifs were added the skills of Manipuri and Bengali artisans who came subsequently to settle in this land. Cane & Bamboo occupy a distinctive place in the life of Tripura. From cradle to grave, there is hardly any occasion, complete without the use of cane & bamboo. Today the magnificent skill of artisans has been directed to produce of a wide range of more than 200 exquisite products. Presently, about 10,000 skilled artisans are engaged in production of various handicrafts in the state.The state government has already initiated steps in this direction, in view of the vast potential of the industry to grow, both in domestic as well as international markets.The state also welcomes private enterprise in this field.Cane/ Bamboo handicrafts of Tripura are acknowledged to be among the best inthe country, due to their beauty, elegance and exquisite designs.A vast range of items are produced, including Furniture, Panels and Partitions, Table & other Mat products, Lamp Shades etc.Bamboo and cane Ornaments are also very intricate and exquisite in nature.Bamboo and cane ornaments are not available in any other part of the country as well as abroad.Tripura handicrafts are also being exported to various countries.The natural, durable and attractive bamboo not only makes mats, baskets and other handicraft but is also used for high-grade packaging, decorative panels, curtains and window blinds.The bamboo window blinds, in fact, not only give a classic touch to the interior decor of a room but keep it cool as well.Bamboo craft is based on its specific weaving techniques. Raw Materials used :- Cane and Bamboo are very important things for any products.Cane and Bamboo are basic materials.Cane and Bamboo are neccessity things.We can create any products from Cane and Bamboo. Techniques and Tools:- The hollow stems, or culms, of the bamboo plant divide at the internode to form cylindrical, boxlike structures.The canes can be split longitudinally into pliable, even lengths, seasoned bamboo being used except in basketwork.Unseasoned bamboo is easier to work than dried or soaked material, and it has the added advantage for basketwork of shrinking slightly as it dries.The tools required for basketwork include a sharp knife or shears for trimming, a bodkin for opening holes in tight weaves to insert new canes, and a beater or commander to settle horizontal lines.For most other uses, bamboo must be seasoned, and woodworking tools—saws, drills, rasps and hammers—are required to work with the dried and hardened material.Conventional woodworking joints are used, e.g. butt, tenon, mortice and mitre joints; these must be modified to compensate for the hollowness of bamboo.For joining sections of bamboo lengthwise, wooden dowels are glued inside joints and are then drilled and pinned with pegs.When a butt joint is employed, the end of the stud is filed to match the profile of the cross-piece.Joints are often reinforced by binding with split bamboo.Bamboo may be shaped by heating and bending over a form. Processing of Bamboo for Weaving:- Green skin of the bamboo Culm is removed by scraping off its green surface with the help of a blade. Force is applied evenly along the culms surface to ensure uniformly colored bamboo.The upper edge of the culm section is flattened to facilitate stripping.A sharp knife is used to cut evenly around the edge.The culm section is divided into slivers of an equal width.The number of slivers depends upon the diameter of the culm. Cutting is done carefully from the edge downwards along the length of the culm.The slivers are then completely separated to form individual pieces.Slivers are striped into fine layers.The knife is held with the blade horizontally against the upper 1/3 of the cross section sliver.First cut is made by nipping the blade into the sliver.Then the blade is placed 0.5 to 1 mm away from the first layer.After repeating the process for a required number of times, the layers are peeled off.The thickness of the layers depends upon the need of the intended woven product.Layers are separated into fine strips by using both the hands.The strips may be lighter or darker in color from one another.They are arranged accordingly.The bamboo strips are then dyed and bleached with the help of various materials such as dyes, sulfur, hydrogen peroxide or other chemicals.Soaking, boiling, washing, air drying etc. methods are used for the purpose. Grass, Leaf, Reed and Fiber:- Munj is a wildly grown pale colored grass. Crafts men involved in this craft design multipurpose articles like baskets for storing clothes, dry food items, chapattis etc. The articles made are durable and last long because of toughness of the munj grass. Today the crafts men design fancy baskets keeping the taste of buyers in mind. Boats and outriggers are also prepared which involves lot of manual labor and skilled art. Today there is great demand of fashionable coconut jewelry along with decorative items such as masks, bags, candle stands, purses etc.The subtropical region of Asia, specially India, Bangladesh and China is most popular for Jute. Jute craft is most popular in this region and is derived from the fibre of a reed like plant. The warm humid climate of West Bengal with plenty of rainfall is best suited for this plant. The plant grows to a height of 3-4 meters and takes upto six months to mature. Jute is the second most popular natural plant fibre and is available in abundance. Once the plant is ready for harvesting, it is cut very close to the ground and left in the ground for a day or two when the leaves fall off. The cut plant is then absorbed and dipped in water to separate the fibre from the plant. This process is known as retting. The, thus separated Jute is dried and given various forms. The fiber is knit into threads. Sometimes the threads are weaved to make rags and cloths. The cleaned fibre, the threads and the rags all are used to make beautiful craft products like the bags, rags, carpets, hangings, footwear, coasters, jewelry, show pieces, etc. Some very fine quality jute is also used to make furnishing material and dresses. Raw Materials Used :- The villages of Bihar 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. Wood Carving:- Some of the finest woodcarvings in the Northeast are found among the people of this region. The woodcarvings are usually of human figures or decorative pieces that adorn the youth dormitories in these villages and sculptures erected in memory of the dead. In ancient times, woodcarving was associated with religious beliefs Even today the front door of each household, which is considered a sacred threshold, has intricate wood carvings of Hindu deities and auspicious motifs like the hamsa/ mythical swan, padma/ lotus, poornakumbha /cornucopia, kaamadhenu and patterned floral motifs. Other carved wooden items include small shrines and deities, low carved stools for marriages, carved fans for the deity, fertility couples and various small ceremonial containers. The carved panels of deities fixed to either end of a metre-long pole were the other ceremonial items. These panels are called kavadi and afre carried on the shoulders of a person to fulfill the vow to Lord Murugan or Karthikeya. Household kitchen instruments in wood such as grinders, vegetable cutters and serving ladle holders are items given in dowry. Lathe-turned and lacquered toys in bright colors and at affordable prices are popular all over the state. Carved wooden toys, dolls and elephants exhibiting the skills of the artisan are also made. Wood Carving’s Raw Materials:- Basic Material : Bhurkul or gular wood, mango wood, green bamboo, shisham woodColouring Material : Alta, turmeric.Basic Material : Doodhia wood, lac, lac stick, oil, old cloth, coloured paper.Basic Material : Remnants of cloth, bamboo, rags, paperColouring Material : Dye coloursBasic Material : Punki wood, tamarind seeds, lime glue, brush, water colour, oil colour, red sanders woodBasic Material : Cloths, colours, waste material for stuffing, coloured papers, clay Wood Carving’s Process:- The wood as per the size of the form to be made is cut from the block. The piece is cleaned and smoothened. The design of the toy to be made is traced on this piece. Extra wood is chipped off according to the design. Fine strokes with the hammer are made on the chisel, which is placed on the area to be shaped. It is smoothened with a file and painted. The painting starts with coloring various body parts. Next the dresses with specific designs are marked out by fine strokes of the brush. The facial features are added in the end.Sugga (parrot) are the wooden toys fixed on the marriage mandap. The mosara, (central part), charkhi and sugga (parrots) are made by the same process These are joined by bamboo killi (screw). The marriage post is coloured with yellow (turmeric), red (alta) and green colours. The lacquering is done by pressing the lac stick against the revolving article. Oil is also applied at the same time for giving the better polish. Leaves of a kind of flowering cactus are used for polishing. The articles are either in single colour or in bands of different colours. The complicated designs and colour schemes are effected by manipulating the lac turnery and using the multifarious techniques.In Jaipur, the toys are made out of old cloth dyed afresh and stuffed with waste material. When they are gaily decorated with coloured paper and tinsel they look very alive especially with their expressive faces. Rag dolls are made out of remnants of cloth usually thrown away. These are painstakingly collected and dyed into different shades to work out a variety of colour schemes. The eyes and mouth are indicated by black line . In case of a Rani doll, the clothes & body are fully decorated. Wood Carving’s Techniques:- Each wooden piece that is cut to make an item is subjected to a process of slow heating to draw out all moisture. Every single limb is separately carved and joined to the body with adhesive paste of tamarind seeds, and later passed through a coating of lime glue. The painting with colours is done by very fine precision with brushes made of goats hair. Water and oil colours are both used. Lacquering is done on a lathe, hand or is machine operated. For turning slender and delicate items, hand lathe is considered suitable. In the lac turney method, lac is applied in a dry state that is the lac stick is pressed against the woodenware to be lacquered. While the latter keeps revolving, the heat generated by friction softens the lac, making the colour stick. Lacquer ware toys are produced in this way. It is with remarkable skill that the craftsmen manipulate the stick where several colours are used. Some of the lacquered pieces are painted with a brush.
Cane and Bamboo:-From time immemorial Tripura has carved out a name for itself in the field of Handicrafts.The Gifted artisans produce wonderful objects of crafts from simple material like cane, bamboo & wood. There rare artistic skill has not been streamlined in the manufacture of exquisite household pieces. Tripura's unique topography and the gracious nature bestowed their choicest blessings on the hereditary artisans of Tripura.With the passage of time, there have been changes in the demographic character of the state.But in each phase of her history, Tripura has shown remarkable inner strength of assimilation of synthesis, while retaining her own traditional heritage.With the original distinct tribal motifs were added the skills of Manipuri and Bengali artisans who came subsequently to settle in this land. Cane & Bamboo occupy a distinctive place in the life of Tripura. From cradle to grave, there is hardly any occasion, complete without the use of cane & bamboo. Today the magnificent skill of artisans has been directed to produce of a wide range of more than 200 exquisite products. Presently, about 10,000 skilled artisans are engaged in production of various handicrafts in the state.The state government has already initiated steps in this direction, in view of the vast potential of the industry to grow, both in domestic as well as international markets.The state also welcomes private enterprise in this field.Cane/ Bamboo handicrafts of Tripura are acknowledged to be among the best inthe country, due to their beauty, elegance and exquisite designs.A vast range of items are produced, including Furniture, Panels and Partitions, Table & other Mat products, Lamp Shades etc.Bamboo and cane Ornaments are also very intricate and exquisite in nature.Bamboo and cane ornaments are not available in any other part of the country as well as abroad.Tripura handicrafts are also being exported to various countries.The natural, durable and attractive bamboo not only makes mats, baskets and other handicraft but is also used for high-grade packaging, decorative panels, curtains and window blinds.The bamboo window blinds, in fact, not only give a classic touch to the interior decor of a room but keep it cool as well.Bamboo craft is based on its specific weaving techniques.
Raw Materials used :-
Cane and Bamboo are very important things for any products.Cane and Bamboo are basic materials.Cane and Bamboo are neccessity things.We can create any products from Cane and Bamboo.
Techniques and Tools:-
The hollow stems, or culms, of the bamboo plant divide at the internode to form cylindrical, boxlike structures.The canes can be split longitudinally into pliable, even lengths, seasoned bamboo being used except in basketwork.Unseasoned bamboo is easier to work than dried or soaked material, and it has the added advantage for basketwork of shrinking slightly as it dries.The tools required for basketwork include a sharp knife or shears for trimming, a bodkin for opening holes in tight weaves to insert new canes, and a beater or commander to settle horizontal lines.For most other uses, bamboo must be seasoned, and woodworking tools—saws, drills, rasps and hammers—are required to work with the dried and hardened material.Conventional woodworking joints are used, e.g. butt, tenon, mortice and mitre joints; these must be modified to compensate for the hollowness of bamboo.For joining sections of bamboo lengthwise, wooden dowels are glued inside joints and are then drilled and pinned with pegs.When a butt joint is employed, the end of the stud is filed to match the profile of the cross-piece.Joints are often reinforced by binding with split bamboo.Bamboo may be shaped by heating and bending over a form.
Processing of Bamboo for Weaving:-
Green skin of the bamboo Culm is removed by scraping off its green surface with the help of a blade. Force is applied evenly along the culms surface to ensure uniformly colored bamboo.The upper edge of the culm section is flattened to facilitate stripping.A sharp knife is used to cut evenly around the edge.The culm section is divided into slivers of an equal width.The number of slivers depends upon the diameter of the culm. Cutting is done carefully from the edge downwards along the length of the culm.The slivers are then completely separated to form individual pieces.Slivers are striped into fine layers.The knife is held with the blade horizontally against the upper 1/3 of the cross section sliver.First cut is made by nipping the blade into the sliver.Then the blade is placed 0.5 to 1 mm away from the first layer.After repeating the process for a required number of times, the layers are peeled off.The thickness of the layers depends upon the need of the intended woven product.Layers are separated into fine strips by using both the hands.The strips may be lighter or darker in color from one another.They are arranged accordingly.The bamboo strips are then dyed and bleached with the help of various materials such as dyes, sulfur, hydrogen peroxide or other chemicals.Soaking, boiling, washing, air drying etc. methods are used for the purpose.
Grass, Leaf, Reed and Fiber:- Munj is a wildly grown pale colored grass. Crafts men involved in this craft design multipurpose articles like baskets for storing clothes, dry food items, chapattis etc. The articles made are durable and last long because of toughness of the munj grass. Today the crafts men design fancy baskets keeping the taste of buyers in mind. Boats and outriggers are also prepared which involves lot of manual labor and skilled art. Today there is great demand of fashionable coconut jewelry along with decorative items such as masks, bags, candle stands, purses etc.The subtropical region of Asia, specially India, Bangladesh and China is most popular for Jute. Jute craft is most popular in this region and is derived from the fibre of a reed like plant. The warm humid climate of West Bengal with plenty of rainfall is best suited for this plant. The plant grows to a height of 3-4 meters and takes upto six months to mature. Jute is the second most popular natural plant fibre and is available in abundance. Once the plant is ready for harvesting, it is cut very close to the ground and left in the ground for a day or two when the leaves fall off. The cut plant is then absorbed and dipped in water to separate the fibre from the plant. This process is known as retting. The, thus separated Jute is dried and given various forms. The fiber is knit into threads. Sometimes the threads are weaved to make rags and cloths. The cleaned fibre, the threads and the rags all are used to make beautiful craft products like the bags, rags, carpets, hangings, footwear, coasters, jewelry, show pieces, etc. Some very fine quality jute is also used to make furnishing material and dresses. Raw Materials Used :- The villages of Bihar 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. Wood Carving:- Some of the finest woodcarvings in the Northeast are found among the people of this region. The woodcarvings are usually of human figures or decorative pieces that adorn the youth dormitories in these villages and sculptures erected in memory of the dead. In ancient times, woodcarving was associated with religious beliefs Even today the front door of each household, which is considered a sacred threshold, has intricate wood carvings of Hindu deities and auspicious motifs like the hamsa/ mythical swan, padma/ lotus, poornakumbha /cornucopia, kaamadhenu and patterned floral motifs. Other carved wooden items include small shrines and deities, low carved stools for marriages, carved fans for the deity, fertility couples and various small ceremonial containers. The carved panels of deities fixed to either end of a metre-long pole were the other ceremonial items. These panels are called kavadi and afre carried on the shoulders of a person to fulfill the vow to Lord Murugan or Karthikeya. Household kitchen instruments in wood such as grinders, vegetable cutters and serving ladle holders are items given in dowry. Lathe-turned and lacquered toys in bright colors and at affordable prices are popular all over the state. Carved wooden toys, dolls and elephants exhibiting the skills of the artisan are also made. Wood Carving’s Raw Materials:- Basic Material : Bhurkul or gular wood, mango wood, green bamboo, shisham woodColouring Material : Alta, turmeric.Basic Material : Doodhia wood, lac, lac stick, oil, old cloth, coloured paper.Basic Material : Remnants of cloth, bamboo, rags, paperColouring Material : Dye coloursBasic Material : Punki wood, tamarind seeds, lime glue, brush, water colour, oil colour, red sanders woodBasic Material : Cloths, colours, waste material for stuffing, coloured papers, clay Wood Carving’s Process:- The wood as per the size of the form to be made is cut from the block. The piece is cleaned and smoothened. The design of the toy to be made is traced on this piece. Extra wood is chipped off according to the design. Fine strokes with the hammer are made on the chisel, which is placed on the area to be shaped. It is smoothened with a file and painted. The painting starts with coloring various body parts. Next the dresses with specific designs are marked out by fine strokes of the brush. The facial features are added in the end.Sugga (parrot) are the wooden toys fixed on the marriage mandap. The mosara, (central part), charkhi and sugga (parrots) are made by the same process These are joined by bamboo killi (screw). The marriage post is coloured with yellow (turmeric), red (alta) and green colours. The lacquering is done by pressing the lac stick against the revolving article. Oil is also applied at the same time for giving the better polish. Leaves of a kind of flowering cactus are used for polishing. The articles are either in single colour or in bands of different colours. The complicated designs and colour schemes are effected by manipulating the lac turnery and using the multifarious techniques.In Jaipur, the toys are made out of old cloth dyed afresh and stuffed with waste material. When they are gaily decorated with coloured paper and tinsel they look very alive especially with their expressive faces. Rag dolls are made out of remnants of cloth usually thrown away. These are painstakingly collected and dyed into different shades to work out a variety of colour schemes. The eyes and mouth are indicated by black line . In case of a Rani doll, the clothes & body are fully decorated. Wood Carving’s Techniques:- Each wooden piece that is cut to make an item is subjected to a process of slow heating to draw out all moisture. Every single limb is separately carved and joined to the body with adhesive paste of tamarind seeds, and later passed through a coating of lime glue. The painting with colours is done by very fine precision with brushes made of goats hair. Water and oil colours are both used. Lacquering is done on a lathe, hand or is machine operated. For turning slender and delicate items, hand lathe is considered suitable. In the lac turney method, lac is applied in a dry state that is the lac stick is pressed against the woodenware to be lacquered. While the latter keeps revolving, the heat generated by friction softens the lac, making the colour stick. Lacquer ware toys are produced in this way. It is with remarkable skill that the craftsmen manipulate the stick where several colours are used. Some of the lacquered pieces are painted with a brush.
Grass, Leaf, Reed and Fiber:-
Munj is a wildly grown pale colored grass. Crafts men involved in this craft design multipurpose articles like baskets for storing clothes, dry food items, chapattis etc. The articles made are durable and last long because of toughness of the munj grass. Today the crafts men design fancy baskets keeping the taste of buyers in mind.
Boats and outriggers are also prepared which involves lot of manual labor and skilled art. Today there is great demand of fashionable coconut jewelry along with decorative items such as masks, bags, candle stands, purses etc.The subtropical region of Asia, specially India, Bangladesh and China is most popular for Jute. Jute craft is most popular in this region and is derived from the fibre of a reed like plant. The warm humid climate of West Bengal with plenty of rainfall is best suited for this plant. The plant grows to a height of 3-4 meters and takes upto six months to mature. Jute is the second most popular natural plant fibre and is available in abundance.
Once the plant is ready for harvesting, it is cut very close to the ground and left in the ground for a day or two when the leaves fall off. The cut plant is then absorbed and dipped in water to separate the fibre from the plant. This process is known as retting. The, thus separated Jute is dried and given various forms. The fiber is knit into threads. Sometimes the threads are weaved to make rags and cloths. The cleaned fibre, the threads and the rags all are used to make beautiful craft products like the bags, rags, carpets, hangings, footwear, coasters, jewelry, show pieces, etc. Some very fine quality jute is also used to make furnishing material and dresses.
Raw Materials Used :-
The villages of Bihar 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.
Wood Carving:- Some of the finest woodcarvings in the Northeast are found among the people of this region. The woodcarvings are usually of human figures or decorative pieces that adorn the youth dormitories in these villages and sculptures erected in memory of the dead. In ancient times, woodcarving was associated with religious beliefs Even today the front door of each household, which is considered a sacred threshold, has intricate wood carvings of Hindu deities and auspicious motifs like the hamsa/ mythical swan, padma/ lotus, poornakumbha /cornucopia, kaamadhenu and patterned floral motifs. Other carved wooden items include small shrines and deities, low carved stools for marriages, carved fans for the deity, fertility couples and various small ceremonial containers. The carved panels of deities fixed to either end of a metre-long pole were the other ceremonial items. These panels are called kavadi and afre carried on the shoulders of a person to fulfill the vow to Lord Murugan or Karthikeya. Household kitchen instruments in wood such as grinders, vegetable cutters and serving ladle holders are items given in dowry. Lathe-turned and lacquered toys in bright colors and at affordable prices are popular all over the state. Carved wooden toys, dolls and elephants exhibiting the skills of the artisan are also made. Wood Carving’s Raw Materials:- Basic Material : Bhurkul or gular wood, mango wood, green bamboo, shisham woodColouring Material : Alta, turmeric.Basic Material : Doodhia wood, lac, lac stick, oil, old cloth, coloured paper.Basic Material : Remnants of cloth, bamboo, rags, paperColouring Material : Dye coloursBasic Material : Punki wood, tamarind seeds, lime glue, brush, water colour, oil colour, red sanders woodBasic Material : Cloths, colours, waste material for stuffing, coloured papers, clay Wood Carving’s Process:- The wood as per the size of the form to be made is cut from the block. The piece is cleaned and smoothened. The design of the toy to be made is traced on this piece. Extra wood is chipped off according to the design. Fine strokes with the hammer are made on the chisel, which is placed on the area to be shaped. It is smoothened with a file and painted. The painting starts with coloring various body parts. Next the dresses with specific designs are marked out by fine strokes of the brush. The facial features are added in the end.Sugga (parrot) are the wooden toys fixed on the marriage mandap. The mosara, (central part), charkhi and sugga (parrots) are made by the same process These are joined by bamboo killi (screw). The marriage post is coloured with yellow (turmeric), red (alta) and green colours. The lacquering is done by pressing the lac stick against the revolving article. Oil is also applied at the same time for giving the better polish. Leaves of a kind of flowering cactus are used for polishing. The articles are either in single colour or in bands of different colours. The complicated designs and colour schemes are effected by manipulating the lac turnery and using the multifarious techniques.In Jaipur, the toys are made out of old cloth dyed afresh and stuffed with waste material. When they are gaily decorated with coloured paper and tinsel they look very alive especially with their expressive faces. Rag dolls are made out of remnants of cloth usually thrown away. These are painstakingly collected and dyed into different shades to work out a variety of colour schemes. The eyes and mouth are indicated by black line . In case of a Rani doll, the clothes & body are fully decorated. Wood Carving’s Techniques:- Each wooden piece that is cut to make an item is subjected to a process of slow heating to draw out all moisture. Every single limb is separately carved and joined to the body with adhesive paste of tamarind seeds, and later passed through a coating of lime glue. The painting with colours is done by very fine precision with brushes made of goats hair. Water and oil colours are both used. Lacquering is done on a lathe, hand or is machine operated. For turning slender and delicate items, hand lathe is considered suitable. In the lac turney method, lac is applied in a dry state that is the lac stick is pressed against the woodenware to be lacquered. While the latter keeps revolving, the heat generated by friction softens the lac, making the colour stick. Lacquer ware toys are produced in this way. It is with remarkable skill that the craftsmen manipulate the stick where several colours are used. Some of the lacquered pieces are painted with a brush.
Wood Carving:-
Some of the finest woodcarvings in the Northeast are found among the people of this region. The woodcarvings are usually of human figures or decorative pieces that adorn the youth dormitories in these villages and sculptures erected in memory of the dead. In ancient times, woodcarving was associated with religious beliefs
Even today the front door of each household, which is considered a sacred threshold, has intricate wood carvings of Hindu deities and auspicious motifs like the hamsa/ mythical swan, padma/ lotus, poornakumbha /cornucopia, kaamadhenu and patterned floral motifs.
Other carved wooden items include small shrines and deities, low carved stools for marriages, carved fans for the deity, fertility couples and various small ceremonial containers. The carved panels of deities fixed to either end of a metre-long pole were the other ceremonial items. These panels are called kavadi and afre carried on the shoulders of a person to fulfill the vow to Lord Murugan or Karthikeya. Household kitchen instruments in wood such as grinders, vegetable cutters and serving ladle holders are items given in dowry.
Lathe-turned and lacquered toys in bright colors and at affordable prices are popular all over the state. Carved wooden toys, dolls and elephants exhibiting the skills of the artisan are also made.
Wood Carving’s Raw Materials:-
Basic Material : Bhurkul or gular wood, mango wood, green bamboo, shisham woodColouring Material : Alta, turmeric.Basic Material : Doodhia wood, lac, lac stick, oil, old cloth, coloured paper.Basic Material : Remnants of cloth, bamboo, rags, paperColouring Material : Dye coloursBasic Material : Punki wood, tamarind seeds, lime glue, brush, water colour, oil colour, red sanders woodBasic Material : Cloths, colours, waste material for stuffing, coloured papers, clay
Wood Carving’s Process:-
The wood as per the size of the form to be made is cut from the block. The piece is cleaned and smoothened. The design of the toy to be made is traced on this piece. Extra wood is chipped off according to the design. Fine strokes with the hammer are made on the chisel, which is placed on the area to be shaped. It is smoothened with a file and painted. The painting starts with coloring various body parts. Next the dresses with specific designs are marked out by fine strokes of the brush. The facial features are added in the end.Sugga (parrot) are the wooden toys fixed on the marriage mandap. The mosara, (central part), charkhi and sugga (parrots) are made by the same process These are joined by bamboo killi (screw). The marriage post is coloured with yellow (turmeric), red (alta) and green colours.
The lacquering is done by pressing the lac stick against the revolving article. Oil is also applied at the same time for giving the better polish. Leaves of a kind of flowering cactus are used for polishing. The articles are either in single colour or in bands of different colours. The complicated designs and colour schemes are effected by manipulating the lac turnery and using the multifarious techniques.In Jaipur, the toys are made out of old cloth dyed afresh and stuffed with waste material. When they are gaily decorated with coloured paper and tinsel they look very alive especially with their expressive faces.
Rag dolls are made out of remnants of cloth usually thrown away. These are painstakingly collected and dyed into different shades to work out a variety of colour schemes. The eyes and mouth are indicated by black line . In case of a Rani doll, the clothes & body are fully decorated.
Wood Carving’s Techniques:-
Each wooden piece that is cut to make an item is subjected to a process of slow heating to draw out all moisture. Every single limb is separately carved and joined to the body with adhesive paste of tamarind seeds, and later passed through a coating of lime glue. The painting with colours is done by very fine precision with brushes made of goats hair. Water and oil colours are both used. Lacquering is done on a lathe, hand or is machine operated. For turning slender and delicate items, hand lathe is considered suitable. In the lac turney method, lac is applied in a dry state that is the lac stick is pressed against the woodenware to be lacquered. While the latter keeps revolving, the heat generated by friction softens the lac, making the colour stick. Lacquer ware toys are produced in this way. It is with remarkable skill that the craftsmen manipulate the stick where several colours are used. Some of the lacquered pieces are painted with a brush.