Wednesday, April 25, 2012
PRESS RELEASE FOR INDIA-NEPAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL by SOUTH ASIA FOUNDATION
Sunday, April 22, 2012
India-Nepal Crafts Festival by SAF
South Asia Foundation in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Nepal, Government of Goa, B.P Koirala Foundation and Nepal Tourism Board is organising a 6 day crafts festival in Kathmandu at Nepal Academy from April 27th to May 2nd.. Goa is the focus state for this festival where various states of India will display their craftsmanship. There will be pottery workshops conducted along with live demonstration of pottery, known to be the symbol of the most ancient civilization, will be the highlight of the Festival. Vibrant Goa, India displaying from its scenic to crafts and cuisine, will be an added attraction of this 6 day Carnival.
South Asia Foundation is pleased to invite all its associates to come and visit to this Festival to be a part. Entry is open for all and free.
This initiative is first of its kind in the history of India-Nepal cross cultural relations.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Pottery Exhibition at India International Centre
“Kumhaargram: Lifeline of Green Delhi”
...Crafting Excellence
An exhibition on pottery by the Potters of Delhi: “Kumhaargram: Lifeline of Green Delhi”
..Crafting Excellence
An exhibition of pottery items by the potters of “Kumhaargram” and a photographic journey of Delhi Potters were organised by South Asia Foundation in collaboration with India International Centre, Delhi at the Gandhi King's Plaza, IIC, 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi. The exhibition showcased the pottery products prepared by the Potters of 'Kumhaargram'.
'Kumhaargram' is one of the largest settlements of potters in Asia and the lifeline of NCT Delhi’s greenery, it is home to some of the finest artisans of the country.The exhibition scheduled at 11am to 7 pm on April 18 and April 19 was inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh, Honourable Member of Parliament. It also included demonstrations using traditional as well as modern mechanized electric operated pottery wheels; and a photographic display tracing the history of the artisans and origins of the potters of 'Kumhaargram' village.
Seven National Awardee Potters and one State Awardee namely Giriraj Prasad who is also a Shilpguru, Harikrishan; Angoori Devi; Bhuvnesh Prasad; Dayachand; Lachhi Ram; and Amar Singh; and Shyam Prasad respectively were honoured by Dr. Karan Singh, Honourable Member of Parliament and Prof. Veer Bhadra Mishra, Chief Priest, Sankat Mochan Mandir, Varanasi, who also initiated the Clean Ganga Campaign, on behalf of the Foundation.
The South Asia Foundation (SAF-set up in 1991) has been working for the overall development of more than 1000 potters’ families settled at Kumhaargram, Sainik Enclave, Vikas Nagar, New Delhi 110059.
It is believed that in 1968, potters and their families from Alwar in Rajasthan and neighbouring State of Haryana were forced to come to Delhi due to constant draught, availability of too little water, and unfavourable economic conditions. Delhi provided them with a brighter economic opportunity. Though they left their traditional villages but they brought with them the enormous skill of traditional pottery, manifestation of our rural India's craftsmanship.
This settlement opened new opportunity to other traditional potters of Delhi and the surrounding areas as well over the period of time.
In 1984, another unique case of group migration took place. The traditional potters, mostly from Alwar District of Rajasthan purchased lands in Delhi and made Delhi their home and finally the Kumhaargram of Sainik Enclave, Vikas Nagar came into being.
The Kumhaargram has also given to the nation some of the finest potters of the country, who have won the highest National Award in craftsmanship with few national awardees, one shilpguru, one Sanskrity awardee among others.
South Asia Foundation is the only non-governmental development organization that has been working with these potters, for improving their socio-economical condition and creating a sustainable model of development that is artisan led.
The two day exhibiton and the photographic display is open to all and also invites visitors to try their hands on the pottery wheel to mould the clay into majestic shapes, appreciated and preserved for decades.
Two day Workshop on Capacity Building at Kumhargram
South Asia Foundation successfully completed the two day Workshop on Capacity Building for the potters of Delhi at Kumhaargram, Sainik Enclave, Vikas Nagar, New Delhi on March 16 & 17, 2012.
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| Workshop at Kumhaargram For more pics click here |
The Workshop discussed issues related to enhancing the capacity and productivity of the Potters Community in Delhi, and the specific marketing or technological tools required for increasing their livelihood. There were sessions on Product Development, Market Strategy, Design selection, Quality control, Organization Building and Market based Empowerment. The Foundation has already got almost all the potters registered as Registered Artisans with the O/o DCH, GOI and initiated process for issuance of Artisan Credit Cards.
Further, focus were laid on the drawbacks and SAF outlines the following:
a. Low earnings from pottery
b. Lack of availability of raw material & high transport cost for procurement
c. Lack of basic facilities and services
d. Lack of effective marketing network & skills
e. Lack of interest of youth in traditional pottery
f. Lack of design input & value addition to existing products
g. Lack of product diversification
h. Lack of any existing credit facility
i. Lack of training facilities for skill up-gradation
j. Lack of any effective organizational support
k. Lack of social awareness and awareness about Govt. facilities & schemes
l. Lack of medical facilities.
The Workshop for 2 days, was divided into 2 sessions each day followed by discussions with the artisan community and also on one to one basis. These sessions were conducted by Senior Faculty and members from XLRI Jamshedpur, IGNCA, Crafts Experts from NIFT Delhi and NID, Marketing Consultants and SAF Team members.
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