Sahaj Thread Bangles

Product: Sahaj Thread Bangles

Region of Production: Dahod, Gujurat

Producer Organization: Sahaj is an offshoot of the N.M. Sadguru Water and Development Foundation based in Dahod, Eastern Gujurat. They work with three thousand artisans in the villages and communities around Dahod. Sahaj provides CFC’s or Common Facility Centres where artisans are provided with lights, power and a comfortable place to work close to their homes. Sahaj was set up to counter the poverty, and the exploitation faced by marginalized peoples living in this area, particularly women. Their original vision statement is ‘to empower tribal women through art and craft based activities providing them opportunities and wider choices in life.’ Often associated with their vibrant, colourful bead and thread work that is used to craft jewelry and embellish home furnishings, artisans also work in wood block printing, papier mache, silver metal, wood, pottery and some natural fibres. In more recent times Sahaj has begun work with bamboo—this was primarily to provide an economic activity for men, who were in need of skills training and employment, as women primarily engage in embroidery and bead work. The bamboo range includes home furniture, notebooks and other household items. Sahaj now also runs hand block printing training and is producing a range of attractive accessories such as utility pouches, toiletry bags and folders. Along with their in house design team, Sahaj also partners with the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ahmedabad. Sahaj is setting up what they have termed, Village Institutions in many of the regions in which they work; Sahaj will continue to provide capacity building for these groups, including financial management, literacy training, and assistance with savings accounts. Images below: Sahaj thread and bead garland, bangles and artisan at work. For more information visit: www.sahajindia.org

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Kalamkari Silk Scarf

Product: Kalamkari Silk Scarf

Region of Production: Andhra Pradesh

Craft Process: Kalamkari translates as hand painting on fabric and was originally developed to embellish temple cloth and and hangings with figurative and narrative motifs. Kalamkari craft is thought to have been produced in India since the middle ages orginiating from the wealthy Golconda sultanate of Hyderabad. The intricate, complex hand crafted process consists of almost eighteen stages. The pattern is created using a kalam or pen made from wood and fibre The fibre holds the ink and release it when the artisan applies pressure, and the lines of the design are drawn with a mixture of iron fillings and molasses. Vegetable dyes are used to give the fabric its rich color.

Producer Organization:DWARAKA or Development of Weavers and Rural Artisans in Kalamkari Art preserves and promotes the work of Kalamkari artisans based around Sri Kalahasti, and the surrounding villages of V.M. Palli and Enguluru in Andra Pradesh. There are now approxiamtely 100 artisans regularly producing the complex and highly skilled paintings. The DWARAKA product range includes stoles, scarves, sarees, bags, wall panels, gift boxes, corporate gifts and home furnishings. www.dwarakaonline.org

Regional Snapshot: Sri Kalahasti is the centre for Kalamkari production, and is located in the Chittor District of southern Andhra Pradesh. The name is closely associated with an important Hindu legend, a story that is a popular subject matter for artisans in the region. The famous sacred Saivite shrine is here. This temple is considered to be a Navagrahastalam where Rahu and Ketu of the nine celestial bodies in Indian astrology worshipped the female goddess Shiva. For more information visit: www.kalamkariart.org
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The Kishkinda Trust Banana Fibre Floor Cushion

Product: Banana Fibre Floor Cushion

Region of Production: Anegundi, District Bellary in Karnataka in the South of India.

Craft Process: Banana Fibre and other natural fibres used to make products are procured by the artisans locally. Process involves segregating dry bark of the banana plant known as shorba into whitish, brown and dark colors. This is followed by soaking it in water to make the bark softer and easier to work with. This shorba is then spliced with hand to extract fibre strips and dyed followed by twining of the fibre stripes. Rope prepared from twinning is then hand crochet and woven to make products. Mirrors are woven into the rope and provide an attractive embellishment to the product.

Producer Organization: The Kishkinda Trust (TKT). Around 200 local women are given training by the Trust to make products out of natural fibres, thus giving sustainable employment and generating income. Emphasis is laid on the utilization of eco friendly materials that are locally available. They aspire to see the local community achieve social and economic empowerment through conservation of their natural and architectural heritage.

Regional Snapshot: Anegundi is on the picturesque banks of the mighty Tungabhadra river, in an area of great enivornmental and cultural heritage. The region also has a place in Hindhuism as it is identified as the capital of the mythical kingdom of Kishkinda mentioned in the Ramayana. Due to its significance, the nearby Hampi town in 1986 was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, for its unique history of the Vijayanagara Empire.
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Mashru Woven Cushions

Product: Cushions

Region of Production: Gujurat. Whilst Mashru weaving was once common in many parts of India, the hub of production is now Gujurat. Patan is one of the most important centres for mashru weaving.

Craft Process: Mashru. Mashru is distinct from other fabrics because it has two faces, cotton on the reverse side of the fabric, and silk on the outer. The fabric was developed because of religious laws pertaining to Shar’ia Muslim men, who were not allowed to have pure silk touch their body so this fabric composed of silk warp and cotton weft was developed. Mushru is an Arabic word meaning ‘permitted’ and may have been brought to India from the Middle East. The double sided fabric enabled men to wear clothing that had on the exterior the rich, decorative qualities of woven silk. When worn, the cotton weft is inside and the silk faces outwards, Thus when used in garments the cotton layer comes in contact with the body forms an absorbent protective layer to the rich and decorative exterior. Weaving is characterized by its bold colourful patterns and stripes of various colours and sizes, including small floral or geometric patterns in alternate stripes. There are many types of Mashur including sangi, galta, gulbadan and susi, the differences are based on pattern, colour, weave and location of production. Whilst once widespread, the production of Mashru is now limited to Patan, Mandvi, and Surat in Gujurat.The fabric which is still hand woven on pit looms uses cotton and silk threads which are now locally available through traders. In the contemporary scenario, the fabric is now used for decorative cushions and table accessories apart from garments.

Producer Organization: KHAMIR

KHAMIR stands for Kachchh Heritage, Arts and Craft, Music and Integrated Resources. Set up in the aftermath of the 2001 earthquake, KHAMIR was initiated in partnership with Kachchh Nav Nirman Abhiyan (KNNA) and the Nehru Foundation for Development (NFD). In 2003, KHAMIR began working to sustain local livelihoods and empower the creative industries in Kachchh, Gujarat. KHAMIR works to reposition, revitalize, and promote Kachchh’s handloom weavers sector. The local market for woven cloth decreased in the 1960's due to the production of synthetic fabrics, causing unemployment and a drift of weavers to other sectors. Despite challenges, there remains great potential and opportunity for Kachchh’s handloom sector. In Kachchhi, the region’s dialect, KHAMIR also means 'intrinsic pride'.

Regional Snapshot: For centuries, agriculture, and craft have been Kachchh’s predominant livelihoods. Each is an integral part of the local culture and landscape. The region has a vibrant heritage, rich craft and music traditions, and unique ecology. Each are a source of local strength, identity, and pride.

Nature Haat: Craftmark Exhibition in Ahmedabad

Craftmark and Harita Kapur Store present Nature Haat an exhibition that brings you a range of unique eco-friendly products inspired by nature.The four day exhibition showcases the best of eco-friendly handicrafts being made today, including bags, carved boxes, stoles, scarves, decorative & functional home wares & furnishings, and exquisite paper products. The products have been carefully selected from eight craft groups: ROPE, SASHA, Norbulingka Institute, Hao Crafts, The Kishkinda Trust, Adventure, Sukriti Imprint, and DWARAKA. These groups work to alleviate the conditions of poverty. They encourage income generation, fair working conditions, fair wages and regular employment. They make a real difference to improving the lives of their members.The benefits from the sale of products in Nature Haat are returned to the artisans and communities, supporting them to continue with their efforts, and strengthen their activities.

DATES 28^th – 31^st July, 2009 (10.30 am - 7.30 pm)

VENUE: HARITA KAPUR STORE Opp Sardar Patel Sewa, Near ' Aditya ' Building, Mithakali six roads, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380006

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