This document provides an overview of products created by artisans at the Common Facility Centre located in Moina, West Bengal. It begins with an acknowledgement of sponsors and partners. It then provides background on Shristi, the organization that manages the CFC, and its mission to support rural artisans. The CFC provides equipment and training to artisans working in crafts like terracotta, cane and bamboo, palm wood, and coconut shell. The document presents photos and descriptions of products created through these crafts, such as bowls, cups, tiles, furniture, and decorations. It aims to showcase the work produced by artisans at the CFC.
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Catalogue
1. Shristi
Society for Sustainable Rural Development
Multi Craft Product
C ATA L O G U E
SPONSORED BY:
Office of the Development Commissioner,
Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles,
Government of India, West Block-7,
R.K.Puram, New Delhi - 110066 PUBLISHED BY:
Email : dchejs@nic.in
Website : www.indianhandicrafts.org.in SHRISTI
Tel. : 26163085, 26199466 New Delhi. Kolkata. Ahmedabad
2. Acknowledgments
Our sincere thanks to
The Development Commissioner for Handicrafts
Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts)
Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India,
West Block-7, R.K.Puram, New Delhi-110 066
Tel. : 26106902, Email : dchejs@nic.in
The Regional Director (H), Eastern Region
O/o of the Development Commissioner (H)
Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India
Eastern Regional Office, CGO Complex,
A-Wing, 3rd Floor, DF Block,
Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700064
Tel. : 23345403, Email : dchero@rediffmail.com
The Assistant Director (H)
Marketing and Service Extension Centre
O/o of the Development Commissioner (H)
Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India
51, G.N. Mitra Lane
Burdwan-713101
Tel. : 2566523 Email : msecburd@hclinfinet.com
4. Prelude
edulerP
The popularity of Indian handicrafts has grown quite significantly over
the last decade and the exports, over the years, have steadily grown.
Besides, there are about five million rural artisans who need strategic
support in producing items of high quality for exports. Thus, there is
enormous potential for the development of the handicraft sector.
For better quality products we need improved technology, consistent
quality, and increased focus on R&D. For many traditional crafts, level of
excellence and master craftsmanship has suffered over the years in
relation to their realizable market/export potential and potential for
providing better incomes. The chief reasons for this being poor access
to required raw materials and capital, mechanization, and stiff price
competition, inability to keep pace with market related design and
product demand, lack of awareness/appreciation by consumers and
lack of sustained patronage in these specific traditional crafts.
Handicraft products constitute a significant part of the informal sector
of the Indian economy. Product innovation and improvements in
design technologies are therefore necessary for keeping this sector
economically sustainable and compete successfully in the global
market.
5. Shristi
In this scenario, Shristi, was founded by the late Shri.Sudipto Mukherjee. A chemical engineer by profession, he
was actively involved in the field of social work. Shristi, a non- governmental organization registered under the
Societies Registration Act of 1860 has been working in the field of handicrafts for the upliftment of the rural
artisan since the last decade. Shristi has worked with DC(H), New Delhi, Ministry of Textiles and has completed
for them various raw material and techno-assessment studies in terracotta, dhokra, stone, metal, natural fibres
etc. in 11 states of India. We have also conducted seminars and awareness programmes sponsored by DC(H) and
held exhibitions for handicrafts all over India.
Shristi's vision is to create self-sustaining, viable producer groups and encourage them to market directly thus
using their own inherent skills as a means of employment, income generation and economic self-sufficiency.
Shristi with the generous grant-in-aid of the DC(H) implemented the multi-craft Common Facility Centre(CFC)
at village Moina, Barasat, West Bengal, under AHVY scheme, where a number of clusters engaged in different
crafts are present. The objective of the CFC is wide scale dissemination of information and knowledge sharing
among the economically challenged rural artisan to enhance their economic progress. The craftsmen can access
modern advanced glazing and firing facilities and other equipment. The CFC extends required benefits to
artisans engaged in various crafts such as terracotta, cane and bamboo, glass and natural fibres.
The CFC has an initial support of 21 SHGs and is technically managed by Shristi. The artisans of the different SHGs
basically belong to the lower socio-economic strata of that area and are in need of appropriate skill
enhancement through design and technology intervention. This is imperative so as to make the product more
cost effective and marketable.
6. Shristi in association with the DC(H), has guided craftsmen in the process of developing, designing, costing and
then marketing the product, and suggesting proper usages and investment of the income generated ensuring
that end products so produced are competitive in cost, better in utility services and aesthetic in nature. Training
in the form of skill upgradation workshops is given on a regular basis to the artisans. This ensures a continuous
input of new designs which are market oriented and bring about value-added items, Further, the craftsmen are
also apprised of the latest technologies in the relevant crafts.
Shristi has conducted design and technical development projects on terracotta and on ceramics, workshops on
metal, natural fibres, shitalpati and glass enamel for the cluster artisans. Market assessment and product study
tours are also conducted and artisans are taken to visit successful clusters to study the methodology being
followed by them and for a knowledge sharing between the two clusters. This has helped the craftsmen
broaden their horizon of knowledge and gain valuable insight into practices of craft and products in other
regions. All this has richly endowed the skills of the cluster artisan and his design base which is amply reflected in
this catalogue.
Subsequently, the earnings of the craftsmen have significantly increased as they have been able to introduce
new designs and explore new possibilities in their craft. As a result the craftsmen have directly benefited and
their earnings have been significantly augmented.
The catalogue attempts to show case a few of the products that are being produced by the artisans at the
Common Facility Centre at village Moina, Dist. Barasat, West Bengal
Delegates of 2day craft based seminar on terracotta craft held at Salt lake
Kolkata on 31st march & 1st april 2008, taken on visit to CFC, Moina, Barasat, WB
7. Shristi 1
Terracotta & Ceramics Craft
Terracotta is associated with the growth of human civilization on earth. It
started with the objective to provide man with cooking pots and pans.
Subsequently the craft flourished through the centuries and diversified
into decorative items as well which now are known as the handicraft items.
Ceramics is a technology dealing with earthen materials and minerals
processed, formed and fired or baked finally to give permanency to wares.
Ceramics is also the art of shaping and backing clay articles as pottery,
earthenware and porcelain. It has been derived from the Greek word
'Keramics' which means earthen or made of clay or earth. It is the general
art of heating common clay to create a utilitarian or ornamental object. All
pottery and porcelain are considered ceramic.
Today under the onslaught of modernity, when traditions and cultures are
being eroded and corrupted by the availability of mass-produced goods,
many common household items are becoming collectors' items. For the
appreciative and discerning, it is these artifacts of everyday life, like
storage containers for rice and salt, earthenware water jars, cooking pots
and incense burners, which are assuming rich forms and ideas, hitherto
undiscovered. Utilitarian yet unique, such ordinary articles are as much the
result of a folk craft handed down over the generations as of the collective
experience and wisdom of the people.
The Process of Manufacture
Various modern machineries are available at the CFC premises, Barasat,
which are utilized for training the artisans:
Hand-operated wheel and electric motorized wheel are used for making
pottery. Ball mill, Blunger and de-aired pug mill are used for preparing clay.
Glazes are prepared in pot mill and spray machine is used for application of
glazes. Wood fired kiln and electric and gas kilns are for improved
products. The main raw materials — common clay is collected from the
nearest river (Hooghly) and from ponds. The clay is pulverized and
screened and then immersed in water for aging with addition of talcum
powder and barium carbonate. After aging for 48 hrs. the slurry is kept in
plaster state to get required consistency / workability. The common and
gangetic soil is placed in ball mill and ground with grog (terracotta) &
barium carbonate and then the slurry is kept in blunger. The propeller is
rotated for a few hours, and then the mixture is sucked by slurry pump to
filter press. The extra water is allowed to pass out and the clay slab is taken
out of the filter press and placed in pug mill machine. The roll of clay is cut
in regular intervals and placed on potter's wheel for production. The
processed clay is then utilized in shaping a variety of items. The materials
are dried in the open air. The first firing or biscuit firing of the earthenware
products is done in a wooden furnace at 9000C. The clay objects become
porous in the course of biscuit firing. In just a few seconds they absorb the
raw glaze which is, in effect, liquid glass. Glaze application is done by
dipping, pouring, brushing and spraying methods. The glazed objects are
then given a glost firing at temperatures of 1000-10400C.
20. 14 Shristi
Cane & Bamboo
In India, cane and bamboo have since ancient history given form to the
expression of tribal art and provided them livelihood. Today it adorns the
homes of the rich and elite and mud-houses alike. Many useful as well as
decorative items are made out of these. Baskets and mats are the most
popular items in this category. The best-known places for basketry and
mats are Assam and Bengal. Bengal has an ancient tradition in making
cane and bamboo items which are rich and varied. Initially bamboo crafts
were limited to hand fans, sieves, fish traps of various types, kulas etc. but
now with time, the crafts have diversified into various decoration and
utility items like furniture, letter holders, candle stands etc.
23. Shristi 17
Palm Wood
Palm wood is a hardwood timber from palm trees, most commonly
associated with the Coconut Palm, but also including the Date Palm. Only
in very recent years have people begun to explore the potential
commercial uses for this vast, alternative supply of wood. This led to the
commercial launch of Palm wood in a range of different products, from
flooring to furniture to decorative products. With these products
performing at equal to or even better than conventional hardwoods, Palm
wood represents a viable substitute for endangered hardwoods from an
ecologically-sound source.
Due to its beautiful grain and attractive natural appearance, it is ideal for
high value wood products which include furniture, decorative interior
walls, parquet floors, various novelties and curio items like ash trays, plates,
bowls, vases, etc. which are equally, if not more than, comparable to the
traditional wood species commonly used in the furniture industry as far as
appearance is concerned.
25. Shristi 19
Coconut Craft
Coconut shell craft is a popular craft where coconut trees are found in
abundance. A high degree of skill is required for carving coconut shell as it
is hard. The common products are cups, flower vases, snuff boxes, sugar
bowls, nut bowls, powder boxes and spoons etc
The outer surface of the shell is rubbed with steel wool and the inner part is
smoothened with a chisel. Then the shells are used to make several
aesthetic pieces by cutting, fitting, painting etc. A first coat of boot polish is
then used on the surface. Then a final coat of French polish is added to the
whole. The fibres are also passed through some cleansing treatments.
Then they are smoothened and finally used for making an attractive and
decorative utility piece.
27. Shristi 21
Shital Pati
The shitalpati is a kind of mat found in Bengal, Assam and Tripura. These are
woven with flat strips in check, twill or zigzag designs, sometimes
incorporating stylized human and animal forms. A special kind of cane
which is known as Mutra cane is the basic or the raw material for preparing
shitalpati.
The fibre has to be soaked in cold water first for 20-30 minutes to obtain
maximum water soaking and also to remove the cellulose, grease oil etc
which are present in the natural fibers. The water, ratio 1: 20 (1 kg raw
material and water 20 liters) is taken and set to boil. 200cc of hydrogen
peroxide is added to the water & stirred well. After 5 minutes, 100 cc of
sodium silicate is added to the same water solution and stirred well and
allowed to boil. Finally liquid ammonia of 50 cc is mixed with cold water of
1 lit and this solution is added to the previous solution of hydrogen
peroxide and sodium silicate & stirred well.
Finally the raw material is removed from the cold water and allowed to drip
fully and then put in to the bleaching solution of hydrogen peroxide,
sodium silicate and liquid ammonia and boiled for 30 minutes The raw
material is removed from the solution and cooled for 10-15 minutes. 100 cc
of glycerine is taken in 20 litres of water and raw materials soaked for 30
minutes and dried in shade and taken for practical work. The fibres are then
dyed and the dyed fibre is stitched and integrated with various other
materials like cane, leather, cloth etc. to make contemporary handicraft
products like bags, lamps, holders, cushions etc. These are then packaged
and marketed.
28. 22 Shristi
PRODUCTS
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