A cultural amalgamation of Indian arts and crafts
Tribal handicrafts with a modern makeover, folk music, scrumptious food, and a lot more is part of an ongoing festival in the Capital. Organised by The Asian Heritage Foundation, the festival Jiyo has a lot in store.
“The purpose of this festival is to uplift the tribal communities of Jharkhand, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. It aims to enhance the livelihood opportunities of rural artisans through designled intervention,’’ says Rajeev Sethi, founder of the The Asian Heritage Foundation. The Foundation has collaborated with 18 artisans, and with district and state level government bodies to create products for the global market. These products are a part of an exhibition at the Jiyo festival.
Kalpana Jena, a Sabai grass artisan from Odisha, says that when her local administration failed to support this craft, she started co-ordinating workshops in the local school. “I taught about 80 artisans the art of weaving with Sabai grass,” she says. Problems arose later, but thanks to this collaboration, her community benefited very much, she adds.
Narendra Chandal, a Kotpad weaver from Odisha, says that both design and interest levels in his community had reached a stage of stagnation, but “ever since the Jiyo workshops began, artisans’ skill levels have improved”. Coming to Delhi, he adds, made him realise the value of his work.
Pankaj Saroj, a fine artist from Uttar Pradesh, is with the Foundation and has worked closely with the Sabai grass weavers. He says, “We introduced some changes into their weaving techniques, helping raise their finishing levels.” Now they’ve gone beyond utility items and are making lifestyle objects, too — and this means better incomes.