Bankura , a old and crowded village in West Bengal is where I stay. Two daughters growing and busy with their own school chores, led me to search for some work that was creative and could be done from home.
Based in this area for last 15 years, I had discovered the rich handicraft and hand-loom sectors in and around Bankura. Beautiful traditional products, artisans with state level awards, poverty and declining value of the craft is a common feature in this District.
The various crafts in this region are Dhokra (brass figurines) made by “ lost wax technique” in Bikna.
Stone Craft from Susunia , were the artisans have themselves turned stoned faced with all hard creative work but no buyers and gradually opting for other form of work.
The Baluchari weaved pure silk fabric from Bishnupur was used to make sarees on Jacquard looms. This fabric is truly Indian in colour, feel and depicts mythological stories from Ramayan and Mahabharat.
As the journey has just begun , I plan to visit many more handicraft clusters, design new , utility products based on traditional craft ,explaining the artisans and understanding the possibilities.
So here is “MIHARU” an attempt to work with people in our place , for our handicraft for a new beginning.....
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