2. Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Innaguration 2
3. About IDPMS 3
4. Sisal Fibre 5
5. Approach and Design intrevention 7
5. Design Workshop 8
6. Learning in the workshop 11
7. Products Developed 15
8. Participants 25
9. Conclusion 27
10. Recomendations 28
11. About Designer 29
12. Acknowledgements. 31

3. BACKGROUND:
The people of “Tenkal mole” and “Badagala
mole” Near Kuderu, Chamarajanagar Dist, are
mainly in to agricultural labor and in rope
making craft. Sisal is abundantly available in
the area and the people are involved in makig
ropes to sell in the local weekly markets.
These ropes are sold in bundles and are used
for tieing cattle , bullock cart etc. The demand
for sisal rope is limited and therefore the
Badagala mole Village
people have started making ropes from the
plastic Cement bags.
The Bags are ripped apart in strands and then
the strands are spun into ropes that are
approximately 8mm in diameter. Four of these
ropes are twisted together to form a thick
rope.
In the villages, children and ladies are involved
Ropemaking in Badagala mole in the stripping of strands and the spinning
of rope is done by the men folk. This way it is
a good team work and at the end of the day
the women are able to earn Rs.15 to 25, and
that is how the life goes on.
The market now recognises the plastic rope
and sisal is less and less to be seen in the
markets.
Ready plastic ropes
1

4. INNAGURATION :
Mr. S.C.Devaramani, A.D. MNSEC, Mysore,
Mr. S.Sadananda, Director IDPMS,
Mr. Seshaprasad, Cluster manager IDPMS,
Mr. Chandrasekhar, ADS, Kuderu,
Mr. Honappa, ADS, Kuderu,
Mr. M.N.Mangalore SI &
Designer Mr. Rajshekhar Narayan
along with his team were present at the
inaugural function at Kuderu, Chamarajnagar
Dist, on 14 March 2005, at 11:30 am.
Mr. Devarmani spoke about the new products
and the opportunity to learn new things. He
suggested that the participants should learn
new skills and come up with new products.
He pointed out the support provided by AHVY;
Innaguration of the workshop a scheme for the SHG’s to generate income
and contribute to the economic growth.
Mr. S.Sadananda spoke to the participants
about the purpose of the design development
workshop and the results that are expected
from it. He stressed on the need for a self
reliance motto with in every women artisan.
He spoke about the various programmes taken
up by IDPMS , and the continual support of
the artisans in the entire development
programme . Mr. Sadananda thanked the DC
(H) for providing such an effective Programme
for the rural artisans.
2

5. About IDPMS:
IDPMS started functioning in 1988, and it as
jointly established by the Govt. Of Karnataka
and the Govt. of Netherlands. At the time it
was known as Indo Dutch Project Management
Society. IDPMS work ed with various
development projects situated in Karnataka,
and working through these projects, the
organization gained experience and
considerable knowledge and helped into its
transformation into a resource organization.
The array of knowledge includes issues for
sustainable livelihood, Women empowerment,
Information systems, Environment and
conservation.
IDPMS which truly means Initiatives for
Development through Participation of
Marginalized Sections, is committed to the
economic growth of the rural poor.
IDPMS has been instrumental in formation of
Self help groups for the past 15 years. Mysore,
Chamarajnagar, Bellary and Bidar, Havery and
Gadag districts have been covered under the
operations.
5300 women involved in over 335 Self Help
Groups has been formed in the guidance of
IDPMS.
Existing products
3

6. Presently more than 200 artisans in the sisal
fiber craft , in and around Kuderumole in
Chamarajanagar Dist, have been covered
under this umbrella.
• The current activities of IDPMS are:
• Skill trainings and Design development
activities in the field of Handicrafts
• Training programme on Micro enterprise
development, PRA, Personality
Development etc,
• Guidance to Micro Enterprise,
• Formation of SHG’s and their successful
operations,
• Strengthening of the local support
agencies ;Gram panchayat, ngo’s etc.
• Networking of SHG’s,
• Establishing access to formal credit
organizations,
• Training and orientation of banking
Personnel.
• Market related services; linkages, up
scaling of enterprises operations,
• Gender sensitization programme,
• Technology Development and Data Bank
Services,
• Income generation activities in craft
areas, and other activities.
• Monitoring,Evaluation and Documentation.
Existing products • Councilling for enterprise activities.
4

7. SISAL FIBRE:
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in
and around Kuderu.Sisal fibre is a large genius
of short stemmed, woody plants bearing a
rosette of long, erect, pointed, fleshy leaves.
About 275 pieces are distributed in tropical
regions.
The Portuguese introduced agave in India in
the 15 th century. They are completely
naturalized throughout the country. Sisal is
grown in widely in India. It is small greenish
gray hedge plant. The leaves have a thorn at
the tip and grows up to a height of4-5 feet.
These leaves yield valuable fibre.
Sisal is locally called as katthale & Bhoothale
its Botanical name is Agave sisalana and it is
locally available in Chamarajnagar dist. The
propagation happens by removing and re-
rooting the suckers.
Sisal fibre is a very strong, Lustrous natural
fibre and can take wear and tear very well.
Sisal plant Sisal is commonly used for marine ropes. Sisal
is the favorite world wide for floor coverings
it is the most preferred natural fibre due to
its clean smooth& shiny surface texture.
The most known application of sisal is ropes
for local use.
5

8. India exports sisal floor covering products from
Kerala and all fibre is Imported from Tanzania
and china. Indian sisal is yet to gain its entry
Into the export market.
Sisal is being extracted in Ananthpur (AP),
Utharanchal, seoni (MP), Gokak (Karnataka)
& Kanyakumari (TN). Sisal is used for making
rops, cordage and twines.It’s also used for
making hub cleaning fancy brushes used in
bicycle.
Local use of Sisal rope
Sisal fibre ready for use
Sisal fibre is available locally for Rs 10-15 per
kg.
6

9. APPROACH FOR DESIGN INTERVENTION:
Since the number of artisans is more and the
skill levels are average, the initial efforts were
to introduce the concept of fineness, use of
spinning skills to produce finer yarns with sisal
fiber. .
The products should mainly be for the local
markets and exhibitions countrywide.
Using new techniques for the products, using
techniques that requires low skills and using
the colour combinations that appeal to the
masses, would be the most appropriate
approach for this workshop.
The blend of Sisal with other materials like
Banana bark , which is abundant in the
neighborhood, bamboo, Plastic rope which is
common packing material, and cotton yarns,
would give interesting results.
The use of the available technology for
spinning of sisal, and different method of
producing yarns would add more value to the
end products.
Various techniques like weaving, coiling ,
Shades dyed in sisal braiding and stitching can be put together in
order to get a novelty.
7

10. NEW TECHNIQUES INTRODUCED IN THE WORKSHOP:
Fibre knotting :
This is the technique of getting a thin
continuous long length by knotting the fibres
together using a weavers knot. The
continuous long length then can be used for
producing a fine yarn that can later be used
for weaving, knitting or any such applications
Fibre knotting Fine Yarn making:
Using the knotted fibre in multiple ply a fine
yarn can be made by using a rope spinner .
This yarn has the strength and finish for use
in high value products like woven material,
floor and other interior woven fabrics.
The traditional way of hand spinning brought
back, to make the fine Sisal twines, suitable
for weaving and fine coiling.
Tie and Dye :
Sisal fibre is usually dyed with plain shades,
this is made more interesting with the
traditional Tie and Dye technique using rubber
tubes to tie the fibre bunch and dyeing to
achieve amazing tie – dyed effects.
Fine yarn making
8

11. Crochet:
Crochet using the dyed sisal fibre to form laces
and motifs for making bags and mats, belts.
Loom Weaving:
Using the simple handloom, and a sisal warp,
a simple structure was woven which is
suitable for bags and other accessories. In
the process a poly cotton warp was also tried
out and a screen was developed. This was to
initiate the weaving process and demonstrate
Crochet with fibres the possibilities with weaving to the group.
The artisans were glad to see the new
possibility and wanted to adopt the weaving
technique to develop new products.
Crochet using 4 ply
Simple weaving on table loom
9

12. Knitting:
Using the fine 4 ply yarn, knitting was tried
out and the outcome was highly interesting.
The fine delicate fabric that is produced is
good for the expensive gift bags and also
other natural fashion accessories.
Using the direct dyes six shades were produced
for the products and these shades were
engineered according to the colour trends.
The natural palette has been the basis of the
4 ply sisal knitted shades and there are deep earth colours along
with some mineral accents.
Yarn developed
Tye dye using rubber tubes
10

13. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT: The workshop stated with dyeing of fibre in
pre planned colurs and some techniques of
tie dye, using rubber cycle tubes was done.
Next the raw material was sorted out and the
artisans were asked to make fine hand twisted
twines and ropes.
Raw material preparation
Dyeing of fibre
Hand spinning of Sisal twine
Dyeing of Sisal fibre
11

14. The task of achieving fine yarn was taken up
and induvidual fibres were knotted, and then
the knotted string of fibre was made into a
ball. four of such balls taken together, using
the normal rope making machine, a twine was
prepared. This twine is found to be most
suitable for Crochet and Knitting.
Yarn developed
Hand spinning of fine twine
Knotting of Fibres making a continuous strand
The fine 4 ply yarn makes the product look
very crisp and delicate. It also optimises the
use of fibre, almost all the fibre is used up in
this method.
Small products were tried out with the fine
yarn and it was seen that knitting and crochet
Crochet using the fine yarn products look good and fresh.
12

15. The fibre strands seperated manually and then
fed in to Medilary Charkha, also was tried out
and it was seen that provided that the
thickness is controlled, it is workable process
for fibre conversion by Crochet.
Six of the artisans are from Hampapura where
Medileri Charkhas are in use and it has been
adapted to sisal fibre spinning in this
workshop.
Crochet using multiple strands
Crochet using strands of Sisal seperated by hand
The product making happened slowly and in
the way, many experiments were done.
Weaving was also tried out and using a Sisal
4 ply and hand twisted thick twined warp ,Plain
weaving was done. The outcome of this is an
interesting fabric which in turn is good for
making bags and table top items.
Bags were made using the skills of the
Weaving on polycot warp artisans and medilery charkha for the yarn.
13

16. The table top loom Sisal yarn was woven in
warp and weft and the next set had Polycot
yarn in warp and sisal single strand twisted ,
Rope and braid in the weft.This made an
interesting fabric for Window screens.
New technique of using a U- Pin and
Plaid and crochet bag interlacining the twines for making bags and
footmats was tried out and it gave good
results. One design for bag and one design
for foot mat was made.
Using the ropes that are made on the rope
making machine, and coiling technique, some
ideas were tried out. An interesting bag was
made in this technique. Using crochet needle
and the machine made rope, coil coasters
were made. This however opened up a whole
lot of new possibilities. A combination of the
plaids and crochet was also done and a very
nice bag was made .
Making of twines for weaving Weaving with twines
14

17. NEW PRODUCTS:
01 02
Cashew bag Checker bag
15

18. NEW PRODUCTS:
03 04
Coil coasters Foot mat
16

19. NEW PRODUCTS:
05 06
Gift Pouch Gold bag
17

20. NEW PRODUCTS:
07 08
Fruit Bowl Gypsy bag
18

21. NEW PRODUCTS:
09 10
Lace fruit Bowl Oval tray
19

22. NEW PRODUCTS:
11 12
Punitha bag Rope bag
20

23. NEW PRODUCTS:
13 14
Coil Coasters Money Purse
21

24. NEW PRODUCTS:
15 16
Plate Mat Fruit Bowl
22

25. NEW PRODUCTS:
17 18
Sunrise bag ‘U’ pin bag
23

26. NEW PRODUCTS:
19 20
Window Screen Lace bag
24

27. PARTICIPANTS OF THE WORKSHOP:
Mahadevamma,Sampathamma, Puttabasamma, Rajamma, Javanamma,
Maramma, Prema, Jamuna, Saroja & Manjula.
1
Shobha, Ambika, Geetha, Asha, Raajmma, Puttataiamma, Bhagya, Prema,
Madhamma & Jayamma
ChikkaHennamma, Chikkatayiamma,Mallajamma,Bhagya,Mahadevvamnma,
Ratnamma,Gowramma,Basavarajamma,Mahadevamma,Bangaramma
25

28. s.no. Name of the artisan Village Caste
1 Mahadevamma w/o Rachashetty Tenkanamole obc
2 Sampathammaw/o chikarangshetty Tenkanamole obc
3 Puttabasammaw/o marisiddashetty Badagalamole obc
4 Rajamma w/o siddaraju Badgamole obc
5 Javanamma w/o mahadevashetty Badqagalamole obc
6 Maramma w/o basavashetty Badagalamole obc
7 Prema w/o shivanna Kuderu SC
8 Jamuna w/o prabhuswamy Kuderu SC
9 Saroja w/o revanna kuderu SC
10 Manjula d/o javaraiah kuderu SC
11 Shobha D/o shivmalla Kuderu SC
12 Ambika D/o mallikarjuna Kuderu SC
13 Geetha d/o nagasundaramurthy Kuderu SC
14 Asha d/o chickkabasaiah Kuderu SC
15 Rajamma , w/o Mariswamy , Kuderu SC
16 Puttataiamma , W/o Naganna Nerale OBC
17 Bhagya, D/o Madha Shetty Nerale OBC
18 Prema D/O Madhappa Nrale OBC
19 Madhamma W/O Doddashetty Hampapura OBC
20 Jayamma w/o shivegowda Hampapura OBC
21 ChikkaHennamma W/O SiddhegoudaHampapura OBC
22 Chikkatayiamma W/O Nagegowda Hampapura OBC
23 Mallajamma W/O Manohar Honnur SC
24 Bhagya w/o Linngaraju Honnur SC
25 Mahadevvamnmaw/oGovindegouda Hampapura OBC
26 Ratnamma, W/O siddharaja shetty Hampapura OBC
27. Gowramma w/o mohadev settee Thenkulmole OBC
28. Basavarajamma w/o siddarajsety Thenkulmole OBC
29 Mahadevamma w/o Siddesetty Thenkulmole OBC
30 Bangaramma w/o Doolosety Thenkulmole OBC
26

29. Conclusion:
All the 30 participants in the workshop, felt
that the workshop was very useful and they
would look forward to such development
interventions more often.
There were so many new products and
techniques were evolved. The learning of the
new techniques gave a new hope to the
artisans. The real potential was felt and the
crafts women felt that they can do much more
than they have been doing all these years.
Mass production at a lower cost; seems
possible with the use of new methods of hand
spinning, braiding, knotting and the like.
Concluding Day function The workshop concluded on a very happy note
Mr.K.S.Raghupathi,AGM, NABARD Chamarajanagar
,was happy to see such good work done by
the participants.
Mr. S.C. Devaramani , Mr. Rajshekhar Narayan
(Consultant Designer), and Mr. K.S.
Raghupathi, Mr. Seshaprasad, cluster
manager, IDPMS, MS. Padma Murthy, (knit and
Crochet expert), addressed the participants
and encouraged them on their efforts.
On the whole , the workshop was an eye
opener for the artisans and the feedback and
new requirements are continuously updated
to the Office of DC (Handicrafts).
27

30. Recommendations:
1. The artisans are from the background of rope
making, and therefore it would be more
appropriate to develop and refine the skills
of spinning, fine twine making for these
artisans.
2. The demand for hand spun twines is good in
the domestic and the export market; therefore
it would be good if twines and yarns could be
the end products.
3. The medilary charkha is quite useful in twine
and fine cord making, and all the artisans
should be trained on it.
4. Sisal fibre lends itself very well to weaving
and basic floor covering structures should be
developed along with the fabrics for
accessories on simple looms.
5. The design workshop should be conducted at
least once in six months and it should be a
continuity of the last workshop, this would
ensure visible results.
6. Some products from the design workshop
should be selected for bulk production and
artisans should be advised to produce a stock
of the designs at least 24 pieces each design.
This would ensure that the products are tested
in the market and the groups have sufficient
stock of products whenever any fair is there.
7. There needs to be continual market support
programme that helps the artisans to produce
what market needs and have a continuous
flow of work.
28

31. ABOUT THE DESIGNER:
RAJSHEKHAR NARAYAN
87/133, Govindappa road, Basavanagudi .
Bangalore 560 004, Karnataka
India
E-Mail : studioadc@vsnl.net
rsnarayan@vsnl.com
Telephone : 080 6601024, 51203950
EDUCATION:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DESIGN,
Ahmedabad
Post Graduate Diploma in Textile Design 1991
Indian Institute of Handloom Technology
Varanasi
Diploma in Handloom Technology 1988
Syed Burhanuddin S JQ College,
Burhanpur, M.P.
Bachelor of Science 1985 (two years)
SKILLS
Weaving, jacquard design, Jacquard weaving, print
designs, furnishing design, made-ups design, silk fabrics
design, visual Merchandising, sample photography, hand
and machine embroidery, interior space design, handicraft
design, curriculum for skill and design workshops,
Documentation and training.
29

32. PROJECTS: • Survey of Natural Fibers in Kerala and
Tamilnadu; a study in the Philippines and a
exhaustive documentation of the outcome fol-
lowed by a craft interface workshop to dis-
seminate the findings of the survey and a
foreign expert to teach new techniques to the
craft groups. 1999
• Design and development of Sisal Fiber
products; this project was for IDPMS working
with the craft groups in Mysore and
Chamarajanagar Districts of Karnataka. Skill
up gradation training was an integral part of
the project.1997
• Design Development for Natural fibre crafts
at ICF, Bangalore 2001
• Development of designs for Palm leaf crafts
at SHARE Vellore, 2001
• Development of designs for Jute Products
at RDS Khanagaon, 2005
• Design Development for Screwpine crafts at
KIDS, Kodangallur 2005
• Development of designs for Palm leaf crafts
at CJWS, Nellore 2005
• Development of designs for Hand painting
crafts at Naidupeta, 2005
30

33. Acknowledgement and credits:
Designer : Rajshekhar Narayan
Design Assistants : Mr. Srinivasulu.Y
Mr. Devaraj
Ms. Padma Murthy
MNSEC, Mysore: Mr. S.C Devarmani, A.D.
NABARD,
Chamarajnagar: Mr. K.S. Raghupathi, AGM
IDPMS :
Mr. S. Sadanand
Ms. Geetha
Mr. Sesha prasad
Ms. Parvati
Mr. Ramesh
Mr. Nagaraj
Mr. Siddhappa
And all the others at IDPMS
31