CHAPTER
– I
INTRODUCTION
Handicrafts
are mostly defined as "Items made by hand, often with the use of simple
tools, and are generally artistic and/or traditional in nature. They are also
objects of utility and objects of decoration.” Handicrafts can be broadly
classified in three categories.
· Consumer goods: Artisan
prepare such utilitarian goods for self consumption or for exchange such
baskets for keeping domestic articles, smoking pipes, footwear, hunting arrows,
combs, storing, wooden and stone plates for use ,textile items like Ria, Shwal,
coats, jackets.
· Processing
industries such as minor forest products for
self consumption and for exchange at weekly hut on barter age system or sell
them for money to purchase other items for self consumption
· Decorative items
include jewellery, and ornaments,
earrings, anlkle bells, necklaces, head gears, head dresses, In addition other
decorative items such as wall paintings, deities either wood or stone,
artifacets. These handicrafts for decoration are for self use or sell /exchange
them in the weekly market for money.
The
tribal economy is equally distinctive since it is closed and undifferentiated
characterized by adoption of primitive technology in economic pursuits. The
tribal people earn in their livelihood by undertaking many occupations such as
forestry and food gathering, shifting cultivation, settled agriculture, and
industrial labour, animal husbandry, fishing, traditional commerce of which
household industry including handicrafts is of prime importance Tribal have
been producing different handicrafts both utilitarian and decorative over
centuries.
Tribal
economy in the earlier days was a barter system through mutual help. Lending,
if any, between different members of the community is also governed by customs
and interest has not been applied. Thus self sufficient economy of the tribal
does not have substantial surpluses to warrant establishment of regular markets
nor knew their potentialities for their handicrafts. Slowly market economies
began to appear around religious festivals and demands for new items started increasing. This leads to weekly
markets. Traders or middle men came on the scene and slowly these tribal
artisans who display their skill, acquired through tradition, used to sell their
products to these traders or middleman, unfortunately these artisans are being
exploited and are paid paltry amounts. Even this system is getting eroded due
to poor marketing facilities and is unable to with stand competition from
manufacturing industries.
In
order to provide and protect the artisans skills inherited, govt. both at the
centre and states have set up Handicrafts emporium at important cities and at
district level. These artisans are also encouraged by various government
institutions to participate in national and International exhibition to show
their skills.
Though
tribal economy is mostly depending upon farming, these tribals over generations
inherited their traditional art. This art is still continuing despite all odds
faced by these tribal households. This chapter mainly brings out with various
types of handicrafts made by these tribals in different states and in different
districts and problems faced by these households. Craftsmen produce a variety
of utilitarian items using natural material like cane and bamboo. Not only
these materials, readily available, they are also easy to work with and hardly
require the use of specialized tools or equipment.
In
Arunachal Pradesh, main handicrafts items are made up of bamboo as a raw material.
Artisans in Banswara district of Rajasthan, Chamoli district of Uttaranchal
were prominent in the production of handicrafts made out of bamboo. Cane and
bamboo products, not only adorn tribal houses, but they decorate the modern
household as well. Cane furniture, bamboo mats, screens, tablemats etc are
extremely popular. A number of cane and bamboo products are exported from
India. Wood carvings are important handicraft of Chattisgarh and Uttaranchal
state due to availability of wood as raw material from nearby forest areas.
Bell metal handicrafts is prominent in Chattisgarh state. Stone carvings in the
form of deities, flower vases, agarbatti stands, bowls, were famous among
tribal districts of Rajasthan state. This was partly due to availability of raw
material surrounding their villages. Terracota items like horses, elephants,
flower vases, are traditional handicrafts moulded by tribals in the districts
of Chattisgarh state with local river soil(mud). Woolen shawls, scarfs are
prominent among tribals of Uttaranchal due to availability of raw material.
Handicrafts are unique expressions of a
particular culture or community through local craftsmanship and materials. It
is no longer possible to look at traditional artisan communities and their
products in isolation from global market trends and competition. Handicrafts
are part of a much larger home accessory market, which includes handcrafted,
semi handcrafted, and machine-made goods. The home accessory market is strongly
influenced by fashion trends, consumer purchasing patterns, and economic
conditions in end markets. In many cases, artisans are out of touch with those
end markets, which presents a challenge to those seeking to export their
products. The response of consumers to handicrafts is unpredictable. Handicraft
production is a major form of employment in many developing countries and often
a significant part of the export economy. With increased globalization,
however, products are becoming more and more commoditized, with artisan
producers facing increased competition from producers all over the world,
particularly in China and other Asian countries. The All India Handicrafts
Board assisted the state governments in setting up their Design and Technical
centers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Gujarat, Orissa, Manipur,
Tripura, Haryana, West Bengal and Goa. In these centers, craftsmen and the
artists jointly work out new designs and items in selected crafts. These
artists strive to combine the traditional with modern. The handicraft items are
carefully made by artesian so that they retain the ethnic value, while they can
be put to modern day use. The designers have to keep in mind the changing needs
of the consumers, especially the foreign markets.
ECONOMICS OF HANDICRAFT
Production of handicrafts in different areas
by tribal is linked with the availability of raw material locally or in the
district. In Arunachal and Uttranchal state, wool is an important raw material
and Bamboo is an important raw material for tribal artisans in the districts of
Rajasthan and Arunachal Pradesh. Brass, copper and iron for manufacturing bell
metal handicrafts are important in the districts of Chhattisgarh.The tribal artisans purchase metal
scrape from local market. Whereas stone as raw material is easily available in
the tribal districts of Rajasthan. The study showed two kinds of difficulties
in respect of procurement of raw materials, first reasonable price and second
diversification of raw material for commercial consumption.
Mainly in tribal areas raw material
is available in forest or difficult geographical terrains. Tribal have to put
extra labours for procurement of these raw material or buying it from the local
vendors. It has been observed that majority of the raw materials for preparing
different type of handicrafts are available in the producing districts.
It has been reported that the craftsman’s
production is seasonal and irregular, that is between sowing and weeding
between reaping and sowing and so on. He cannot have steady market. So
production has to be made more even and regular. This can he achieved through
better labour saving techniques. This would enable to devote certain hours of
the day even during the thick of agricultural production. The prime need of
handicrafts is a reorientation in the techniques of production without
interference with the artistic varieties of production. Further statism in
designing is a serious draw back of handicrafts. The bulk of the craftsmen
either side bound in sentimental traditionalism or ignorant of the changes in
demand stick to the century old designs.
After examining the tribal population
problems in raw material procurement, another problem which was highlighted by
the tribal and NGO’s representatives is marketing problems. The tribal
artisans, not only meet their domestic requirements, but also market their
products either at home or at village hatt or to business men. Despite best
efforts to survive on their own these tribal households need market support for
the survival of their traditional handicrafts. The survey teams obtained the
views of the households about the types of support needed for the survival of
their arts. Lack of transport facilities stand in the way of selling the
handicrafts by the craftsmen themselves. As a result middlemen, traders
dominate the market. According to S. Non-geri, in his article, Problem of
marketing of handicrafts products in Meghalaya estimated that 64% of the
produces of the rural artisan is captured by these middlemen and are at their
mercy. Due to poor transportation services in tribal areas, majority of tribal
prefer to sell their product to the middle men who generally picks up
handicraft items from individual households and sell these items at district or
state level shops.
Due to subsistence economy, most of the
tribal work as daily wager or indulge into small scale handicraft activities or
farming in the small piece of land or collect forest product from nearby areas.
In majority of cases, handicraft is considered as part time occupation or
tertiary activity in economic ladder. The revenue generated from handicraft has
substantial share of total household income. During the survey, it has been observed
that it constitute more than 30% of total household income.
Importance of
Handicrafts:
Handicraft
sector occupies a prime position in the Indian economy. It is the largest
employer, next to agriculture. The sector, while providing livelihood for
thousands of artisans, provides avenues for realization of social and cultural
potential of millions of people. The mythological, religious, social,
historical and artistic expressions in crafts symbolize the strengths of Indian
heritage while combining in these crafts both utility and beauty.
High
employment potential, low per capita investment and high value addition, involvement
of women and weaker section, eco friendliness and the potential to stimulate
creative talents make the sector one of the most preferred sectors in the
process of economic development.
India
which consists of a variety of ethnic traditions and culture is also a treasure
house of Indian handicrafts. Exquisite handicrafts using diverse raw materials
are produced in different parts of the country. This include art metal ware,
wood ware, hand printed textiles and scarves, leather crafts, hand knotted
carpets and embroidered goods, wood design, shawls as art ware, stone carvings,
imitation jewellery and miscellaneous other handicrafts.
One
of the unique feature of the handicrafts is that more often the same item of
the handicraft, produced in different regions, are different from each other in
terms of the craftsmanship, style, color combination and finish by artesian
creativity.
1.1.
About Tripura.
1.1.1. Introduction.
The
name ‘Tripura’ is probably derived from the name of the goddess Tripureswari of
West Bengal or of the ruling Maharaja of Tripura. It may also be a modification
of ‘Tipra’ (‘Tuipara’) of the native inhabitants of the state. ‘Tipra’ means
the dwellers of the territory bordered by the sea while the word ‘Tui’ means
water. Tripura attained full statehood from Union Territory status on 21
January 1972. It is one of the eight North-eastern states, and is the second
smallest State of India. It was a former princely state and was ruled by the
Maharajas of the Manikya dynasty. It was an independent administrative unit
under the Maharaja even during the British rule in India, and attained its
Union Territory status on November 1, 1956.
1.1.2. Geography:
Tripura has a geographical area of about 10,492 sq. km. Almost
two-thirds of the state is under hilly terrain and it is surrounded on three
sides by the deltaic basin of Bangladesh. Geographically it lies between 22°
57’ and 24° 32’ N and 91° 10’ and 92° 20’ E with the Tropic of Cancer passing
through it. The State is situated in the South-western extremity of the
Northeast region of India. It shares a border of 1001 km perimeter with
Bangladesh, Assam and Mizoram. The international border with Bangladesh is 856
km, most of which is completely open and porous.
The hills of Tripura run from north to south in parallel till they
disappear into the plains of Sylhet in Bangladesh. From the east the principal
hill ranges are the Jampui, Sakhan Tlang, Langtarai, Athara Mura and Bara Mura.
The highest peak of the state is Betalang Shiv (992 M.) in the Jampui hill
range. The hills form a watershed from which the drainage pours down west into
the Meghna (in Bangladesh) by the rivers Khowai, Manu, Dolai, Haorah, Langai
and Gomati, and southeast into the Bay of Bengal by the rivers Fenny and
Muhuri. Topographically, the state is characterised by hill slopes, tillas (hillocks),
lungas (land areas between the tillas), flat lands, rivers and lakes.
The State has eight
districts with twenty three Sub-Divisions. The eight districts are 1) West
Tripura District with Agartala as its head quarters, 2) Khowai District,
Tripura with Teliamura as its head quarters, 3) Dhalai with Ambassa as its head
quarters and 4) Unakoti District, Tripura with Kumarghat as its head quarters.
5) North Tripura District with Kailashahar as its head quarters. 6) Sepahijala
District, Tripura with Bishramganj as its head quarters. 7) Gomati District,
Tripura with Udaipur as its head quarters and 8) South Tripura District with
Belonia as its head quarters. The State capital is at Agartala.
The climate of the
State is generally hot and humid. The average maximum temperature is 35° C in
May-June and the average minimum is 10.5° C in December-January. The average
annual rainfall is approximately 2300 mm. The monsoon begins in April and
continues till September.
The Khowai, Manu,
Haorah, Muhuri and the Gomati are some important rivers of Tripura. The Gomati
is the largest river, receives a number of south-flowing streams, and cuts
across the ranges from east to west before emerging out of the hills at
Radhakishorepur. The Gomati is supposed to originate at Tirthamukh near Dumboor
falls (now lost in the lake due to the dam). It is the most sacred of all the
rivers in the State. The riverbeds are usually sandy in the hills and clayey in
the plains. There are no artificial canal systems in the State. In the
low-lying areas there are numerous swamps and marshes. Inland water traffic is
conspicuous by its absence. Tripura is a land-locked State with no access to
coastal waters.
On the north-western
and southern boundaries of Tripura lies a narrow strip of low land that is very
fertile. Along the western border, some areas to the north and south of the
headquarter towns may be described as broken ground consisting of hillocks
alternating with swamps. In between the hill ranges, the northern portion of
the valleys for the most part is flat, swampy and covered with vegetation while
to the south; the valleys are crossed with innumerable ravines and low
intricate ridges.
1.1.3. People and Culture.
There are nineteen scheduled tribes in
Tripura. These are: Lushali, Mogh Kuki, Chakma, Garo, Chaimal, Halam, Khasia,
Bhutia, Kunda (including Kaur), Orang, Lepcha, Santhal, Bhil, Tripura, Jamatia,
Noatia, Reang and Uchai. Besides this there are many refugees from Bangladesh.
The Tripuras are
divided into two groups: Puran Tripuras and Natun Tripuras. The Puran Tripura
are the original inhabitants of the State and constitute a little over 16% of
the total and 57% of the tribal population of the State. The former rulers of
Tripura were from the Puran Tripura community and were known as Thakurs. The
Natun Tripuras came into existence later as a result of marital contacts
between the Puran Tripuras and people from West Bengal. The Thakurs were
generally well educated, with public officials, writers, musicians, engineers
and doctors found among them. However, the rest of the community live on hill
slopes, practice jhoom cultivation, collect produce from the forest and sell
vegetables and bamboos. Their houses are made of bamboo, are built one to two
meters above the ground to avoid wild animals. This community is now settling
on the plain areas of the State and is adopting stable cultivation partly
because of government efforts and partly because of contacts with settlers from
West Bengal. The language of this community is Tripuri, which is written, in
the Bengali script. Most Tripuris are Hindus and their religious rites and
rituals are similar to that of Hindu culture.
The Reangs are the next most important tribal
group. They are believed to have migrated into Tripura from somewhere in the
Chittagong Hill tracts in the middle of the 15th century. It is believed that
the Reangs were formerly palki-bearers of the Tripura rajas. They constitute
about 14% of the tribal population and 4% of the total population of the State. They are divided into two broad groups: Meshka or
Mechka and Marchai or Malchai. These groups are further sub-divided. The Reangs
constitute a disciplined community. They have their own form of internal
government based on a well-defined hierarchy. The head of the community is
called Rai. The Reangs look up to this ‘monarch’ whose word is supreme and must
be obeyed. Succession is not hereditary and is determined by the qualities of
leadership. As one of the strongest pillars of the State’s military regime
during the royal regime, the Reangs had a reputation for their martial quality.
The Tripura rulers could obtain the support and services of the Reang community
by maintaining contact with these chieftains who had complete authority over
them. The Reangs are also Hindus, and believers in the Sakta cult, although in
recent years, some are turning to Vaishavism. They also have animist beliefs,
such as that all plants, animals, rivers and mountains are endowed with a
living spirit.
The Jamatias constitute another community.
During the royal regime, they constituted a section of the fighting forces of
the rulers. The term has apparently originated from ‘jamayet’, which means
gathering or mobilisation. Excepting perhaps in the northeastern parts of the
State, the Jamatia are found in all other parts. About 44,500 persons were
recorded as Jamatias in the 1981 census. Their worships incorporate both
animistic as well as Hindu rituals. Since they have many systems in common with
the settlers from West Bengal, they are also settling down in the plains,
building houses like the plains people and taking to plough cultivation in
preference to jhoom.
The Chakmas are the fourth largest tribal
group. They have migrated from the Chittagong Hill Tracts into Tripura in 1872.
They are mostly Buddhist, however in their religious practices one finds a
blending of Buddhism, Vaishnavism and even Islam. The Chakma chiefs are called
Dewans and exercise great authority and influence within the community. The
Chakmas depend mostly on jhooming although in recent years some of them have
taken to settled cultivation.
The Halams are a section of Kukis who
submitted to the Tripura king. They are believed to have migrated into Tripura
from a village called Khorpintabhim in the northwest of Manipur. However they
now follow the Tripuris in social manners and customs, and also in language.
The Halams are also followers of the Sakta cult; however there is also
pronounced Vaishnavism in certain sections. They also have animistic beliefs.
They believe in the existence of spirits with supernatural powers. The Ker and
Bara Puja are two important festivals of this community.
The Ker is an annual festival
while the Bara Puja is held once in four or five years in a collective way when
the Halams of different areas assemble together. The Halams were known for
their ferocity and for their innate sense of devotion. They regarded the king
as a living God and surrendered to him with a profound sense of dedication.
1.1.4.
Natural Environment and Ecology.
The greater part of
Tripura was earlier covered with forests. Today the situation is different
owing the fragmentation of forests by jhoom cultivations. Dense forest today
exists only on the hill ranges in some areas. The forests in the State are
mainly tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous types. Sizable area
is covered with bamboo brakes, which virtually form a sub-climax type resulting
from shifting cultivation from time immemorial. According to the Champion and
Seth (1968) classification, the forests of Tripura are of the following types -
East Himalayan Lower Bhabar Sal, Cachar Tropical Evergreen Forests, Moist Mixed
Deciduous Forests, Low Alluvial Savannah Woodland, Moist Mixed Deciduous
Forests with Dry Bamboo Brakes and Secondary Moist Bamboo Brakes. Plantations
of teak (Tectona grandis), Sal (Shorea robusta), Gamar (Gmelina
arborea) and Chamal (Artocarpus) are also present. The bamboo
species diversity is very high with over 19 species of bamboo being present.
Tripura is situated in
the Indian sub-region of the Oriental Zoo-geographic region, and therefore its
local flora and fauna bear close affinities with floraand faunal components of
the Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese sub-regions. There are many species of rare,
endemic and endangered plants and animals the region. Many important animals
such as the clouded leopard, gibbon Phayre’s leaf monkey, stump-tailed macaque,
elephants and tigers are found in the
State.
There are presently four
protected areas in the State. These are: (a) Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
(18.54 sq. km), (b) Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary (389.54 sq. km), (c) Trishna
Wildlife Sanctuary (194.71 sq. km) and (d) Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary (0.86 sq.
km). Thus only a mere 603.65 sq. km. is under State protection. The state
government has identified interesting natural features for general awareness
about the state’s natural treasure: (i) State animal: Spectacled Monkey. (ii)
State Bird : Imperial Pigeon. (iii) State Flower: Mesua ferrea (Nageswar,
Nagkesar).
1.1.5.
Socio-Economics.
Agriculture is the mainstay of Tripura’s
economy, and is one of the mainsources of revenue. According to the 1981
census, 67.29 % of the working population of the State was engaged in
agriculture. The agricultural sector, including animal husbandry, contributed
to 56.4% of the State’s income in 1991-92. In the 2011 census, the number of
cultivators constituted 41%, thenumber of agricultural labourers constituted
25%, the number of household industry/manufacturing processing, servicing and
repairing workers constituted only 5%. Therefore agriculture is still the
predominant activity. The number of Registered Factories in 2013-2014 was only
1,659. Rice is the major crop in the State. In the highlands, a variety of rice
and a fibre crop, locally known as mesta, are produced. A fine variety of rice,
jute and vegetables are grown in the low-lying areas and the plains. Another
major activity is that of rubber plantations. The Rubber Board has provided
wide ranging assistance to private as well as corporate sectors for the
development of rubber plantations in the State. In 2014-2015, the tapping area
for rubber was 10,478 hectares. The production of rubber in this period was
8,346 metric tons, and the value of rubber production was 16.49 crores. A
significant achievement was the launching of wheat cultivation. Other crops are
sugarcane, cotton, potato, orange, pineappleand coconut. The production of
pineapple is high (approx 1,20,000 metric tones per annum) and the variety is
also extremely good.
A major hurdle to the
development of agriculture on a large scale in the State is the lack of
irrigation. Another important deficiency is the lack of availability of seed.
Initially, seed was difficult to procure from outside the State owing to the
high transport costs. However, now large-sized seed multiplication firms have
been set up, along with seed banks. The seed bank scheme works in the following
way: The growers are asked to feed back the government with a part of their
production for use as seeds in the subsequent season in return for the
incentives given to them. Under this scheme more than 1,15,000 kg of seeds have
been distributed as loans to the tribals and the weaker sections of
cultivators. Another issue with regard to development agriculture is the small
size of the agricultural holdings. Industries began to appear in Tripura only
after 1950. The isolated geographand the lack of power and communication
facilities have been major factors contributing to the lack of development of
agriculture in the State. As mentioned earlier, the number of workers engaged
in industry is only 5%. Although transport and geographical isolation has stood
in the way of development of large and medium industries, the State has
achieved a unique distinction in cane and bamboo handicrafts. Weaving is also
the oldest and most developed cottage industry in the State, which is practiced
by tribals, as well as the Manipuris settled within the State.
1.1.6.
Evolution.
Tripura has a mixed
population of tribals and non-tribals. However, what is unique in Tripura is
that here one finds elements of culture of different sets of people each unique
in its own way mingled together, and in the process, a composite culture is embracing
the different strands of faith. The initial contributors to this composite
culture are the early inhabitants of the land whose origin may be traced to
Indo-Mongoloid blood and the people of the surrounding areas – the Bengalis.
Next came the Muslims, the Manipuris and the Buddhists. Although the Muslims
came as conquerors or invaders, that they have left a distinct mark of their
culture on the soil of Tripura can be seen from the architectural style of the
temples in Tripura. In fact, the style clearly bears testimony to Hindu,
Buddhist and Muslim influences. The matrimonial alliances that were established
in the last century between the royal families of Assam, Bengal, Manipur and
Tripura grew in course of time into a firmer bond of friendship and fellowship.
This has helped in widening the cultural base in Tripura. This seems to have
contributed towards a spirit of tolerance. People of Tripura had faced a lot of
socio-economical and cultural problems resulting into a few conflicts, first
around the partition and the independence of India and then again around the
liberation of Bangladesh. During the partition at the time of the independence,
a large area of the erstwhile Maharaja’s estate went to then East Pakistan.
This resulted in a large-scale migration of Bengali Hindus from that region to
the small state of Tripura.
With the partition, Tripura not only lost its very fertile land
but also lost its communication system. It became a land locked region with
only one road approach from Assam. The state is suffering on the economical
front due to these reasons. It also has to face insurgency problems resulting
of this complex issue. The state progressed on the educational front very fast.
From 1931 to 2001 the state’s literacy rate increased from 3.4 % to 73.7 %.
Economical development lagged much behind and this resulted in the problem of
educated unemployed. Even today, the state of Tripura is still in a
socio-political turmoil. Considering the isolated region and the infrastructure
problems, the general is likely to be slow and the people of the state have to
evolve different socio-economic strategies for their own sustenance.
1.2.
Discuss about various handicraft in Tripura:
1.2.1.
Cane & Bamboo Handicrafts:
Cane
and Bamboo craft are the main crafts of Tripura. Ethnic groups in Tripura make
wide variety of handicraft products using bamboo and cane. The bamboo and cane
crafts of Tripura are famous for the rare artistic skill of elegant baskets,
small-framed mirrors, hair clips, powder cases, decorative trays and
decorations are made. 'Dulla' is a commonly used fish basket while 'Pathee' is
a rain shield. Small woven animals, 'moorahs' which is a low stool made of
bamboo and split cane, cane ornaments, mats, bags, fruit-baskets, basketry,
vases and many other items are made from bamboo and cane in Tripura. The
designs are intricate and exquisite that catches the fancy.
The
State Government has set up The Craft Teacher's Institute (CTTI) which has done
commendable work in this field of bamboo and cane crafts of Tripura. The State
Department of Industries runs a Design Extension Centre at Agartala and the All
India Handicrafts Board had established a Bamboo and Cane Development
Institute, which has taken up research in the chemical treatment of bamboo. The
institute also provides an advanced course of training in bamboo work,
seasoning, preservation and craft design. A private registered society and
several other units have taken up the production of popular handicraft items in
the capital of Tripura with the specialisation in bamboo screens, lamp stands
and table-mats. Bamboo and cane craft of Tripura includes creating structures
of houses, granaries, shops, workspaces or even large warehouses.
The
bamboo and cane craft of Tripura is famous for creating bamboo screens made
from split bamboo. They are so finely woven and delicately appliquéd with
coloured bamboo chips that they look almost like ivory. Bamboo matting is a
booming industry in Tripura. An array of products such as fans, lampshades,
handbags and various decorative items are made from converting bamboo matting.
The simplest item that is made out of bamboo mat is a wall-hanging with a
picture painted on it in oil colours. Bamboo splints stiffen the ends of the
hanging. Another decorative product made from waste strips of matting are
flower sticks. Bamboo table-mats are other most popular products. Some sets of
mats have decorative oil paintings that are executed by the local artists.
Bamboo
and cane craft of Tripura include tea cozy and tray. Other items such as
semi-circular and circular fans, beautifully designed lampshades, handbags of
various shapes and sizes etc are also made from bamboo matting. These generally
have stiff sides with rigid construction. In addition to products made from
woven bamboo mats, several other products are made in Tripura which include
turned bamboo vases and lamp stands, carved and shaped containers such as mugs
and pencil holders as well as a host other novelty fabricated from shaped
bamboo splints.
Bamboo
and cane craft of Tripura puts emphasis on fabricating decorative products
meant for sale in upcountry markets through various handicrafts emporia. The
exclusive craft has developed and flourished by achieving governmental support
and education provided to the artisans on the pros and cons about the bamboo
and cane craft and hence increased its demand in the entire market
scenario.
From
time immemorial Tripura has carved out a name for itself in the field of
Handicrafts. The Gifted artisans produce wonderful objects of crafts from
simple material like cane, bamboo & wood. There rare artistic skill has not
been streamlined in the manufacture of exquisite household pieces. Tripura's
unique topography and the gracious nature bestowed their choicest blessings on
the hereditary artisans of Tripura. Here three distinct cultures viz. Hinduism,
Buddhism and Islam have converged together to give shape and content to a
unique tradition that found eloquent expression through immemorable work of art
& crafts made out of very simple materials like cane, bamboo, clay, wood,
palm leaf etc. With the passage of time, there has been changes in the
demographic character of the state. But in each phase of her history, Tripura
has shown remarkable inner strength of assimilation of synthesis, while
retaining her own traditional heritage. With the original distinct tribal
motifs were added the skills of Manipuri and Bengali artisans who came
subsequently to settle in this land. Time has changed and so also the quick
adaptability of our gifted artisans who never failed to respond to the demands
of contemporary tastes.
Cane
& Bamboo occupy a distinctive place in the life of Tripura. From cradle to
grave, there is hardly any occasion, complete without the use of cane &
bamboo.
Today
the magnificent skill of artisans has been directed to produce of a wide range
of more than 200 exquisite products. Presently, about 10,000 skilled artisans
are engaged in production of various handicrafts in the state. However, the
industry remains largely unorganised. There is a need to organise the industry in
order to build up a proper production base capable of responding to the market
requirements and to introduce the modern techniques. The state government has
already initiated steps in this direction, in view of the vast potential of the
industry to grow, both in domestic as well as international markets. The state
also welcomes private enterprise in this field.
Cane
/ Bamboo handicrafts of Tripura are acknowledged to be among the best in the
country, due to their beauty, elegance and exquisite designs. A vast range of
items are produced, including Furniture, Panels and Partitions, Table Mats
& other Mat products, Lamp Shades etc. Tripura handicrafts are also being
exported to various countries.
For
interior decoration Tripura Handicrafts offer a wide range of false ceilings,
paneling, plaques, Pot containers (Planters) etc. made of Gossamer thin bamboo
mattress. Ornated with wood inlay and cane & bamboo. The household items
have blended utility with artistic beauty. Panels and partitions provide
another wide range of utility items made out of solid but thinly splitted
bamboo pasted on plywood.
The
THHDC undertakes interior decoration works in hotels, conference rooms, show
rooms interiors of different Govt. buildings with there beautiful bamboo &
cane materials of Tripura on turnkey basis.
Lamp
shades made of fine strips of cane & bamboo add distinct touch and glamour
to the living room. Exhibiting a rare combination of tradition and talent,
there products would brighten up the interiors demonstrating the taste and
feeling of the connoisseurs. The supply capacity is much less for the exquisite
item.
Furniture
of Tripura once exclusive to royal palaces continue to have its excellence and
exquisite workmanship. For the elegant Drawing Rooms there are Bamboo-Cane,
Sofa sets, Garden Chairs, Dinning Chairs, Baby Chairs, Centre & Side
Tables, Morah, Apple Morah etc.
Baskets
knitted out of Cane & Bamboo Strips, offer a whole range of products .
Exquisite tray Planters, Fruit Baskets of different shapes, sizes, pattern and
designs as a rare combination of art and utility. A wide range of baskets and
baskets with divisions are being used for making gift packages with some
traditional artistic touches by the consumers.
Mat
and mat articles, bamboo chatai etc. have good demand in the market. There are
different types of roll mats weaved in multi-colored designs which are familiar
for making door & window screen, and also have various uses for room
decoration.
Amongst
the Mat articles ladies bag, Hand fans, Portfolio bag (for seminar) etc. are
the most popular items.
On
the consoetic table as well, there are quite a number of items to present. Some
of those are small framed mirror, Hair Clips, Powder Case, Decorative Trays
etc.
Bamboo and cane Ornaments are also very
intricate and exquisite in nature. Bamboo and cane ornaments are not available
in any other part of the country as well as abroad.
Picture: 1. Different types of Bamboo &
Cane Product in Tripura.
1.3.2.
Incense stick :
Incense stick, a globally traded product, is burned for fragrance.
It is known as ‘Agarbatti’ in India and ‘Dhup-kathi’ locally
in Tripura. Incense stick making developed as a cottage industry in Thanjavur
district of Tamil Nadu and spread over thereafter to the neighbouring state of
Karnataka, which emerged eventually as the largest production centre of incense
sticks in the country. Incense sticks are traditionally used for
worship, meditation, prayer, ceremonies and ritual purification. These are also
used as air fresheners, mosquito repellent and for creation of ambience and
aromatherapy. Bamboo is the base material for incense sticks accounting for
one-third of its weight. Forests of Tripura were always rich in bamboo
resource. Apart from that, a large majority of rural households have at least
one or two bamboo clumps in their backyards. Many individual households amongst
tribal communities have a tradition of conserving tracts of uplands with naturally
growing bamboo either in their own land or in forestland to meet their domestic
needs and also for sale for livelihoods. Tripura is thus known as the 'Home of
bamboo'; and bamboo stick making is an age-old tradition for rural artisans,
mostly women. There was no comprehensive study till then in Tripura on the
status of raw materials for incense stick making.
Tripura used to supply about 90 percent of bamboo sticks utilised
by the Indian incense stick industry in the recent past. The situation changed
drastically as the stock of Muli bamboo (M. baccifera) accounting for 80 per
cent of the bamboo resource of the state declined steeply due to mortality as a
result of gregarious flowering (2003- 2009). The Muli bamboo, abundant and
cheaply available, was mainly used for incense sticks production in the state,
but currently its scarcity has adversely affected the sector. The share of
supply from Tripura for the Indian industry came down to 50- 60 per cent in
2008, but was still very significant i.e., 25,000 tonnes or 125 billion sticks.
There was a drastic reduction in import duty on bamboo sticks from
30 to 10 percent in 2011 encouraging imports from China or Vietnam. The
imported bamboo sticks on the whole are better with respect to uniformity of
dimensions and quality because of large scale mechanization compared to a
substantial part of the supply from India which is made manually. In case of
Tripura, almost the entire production of bamboo sticks is made manually. Forest
transit regulation and checking on this count at numerous Forest Check posts
(fallen bamboo being a timber according to the Forest Act) is also considered
to be a major problem in terms of
ransporting and eventually to the processors/industries. The domestic
industry is now importing nearly 70 percent of its bamboo stick needs.
Production from Tripura, which caters mainly to the industries outside the
state, registered a steep fall (Figure 1). The positive aspect was that the percentage
of polished sticks against total production rose steadily from 0.33 in 2006-07
to stabilize at 50 per cent in 2011-12.
According to the Planning Commission of India Assessment, the size of
market of the incense stick industry in 2001 was Rs.1800 crores (USD 291.17
million,1 USD = 61.8194 INR) of which the cost of bamboo was 135 crores
(Sharma, 2010). India is the largest producer of incense sticks in the world
with an estimated annual production of 208 billion sticks, and its market value
in 2008 was Rs.41.63 billion (USD 926 million). This amounts to more than
42,000 tonnes of sticks made from nearly 80,000 tonnes of bamboo; and the
estimated growth of the sector in value was 20 per cent annually (Rao et al.,
2009).
Picture-3: Woman making bamboo stick & Incense stick.
