Bombay is known for its exuberant art scene and come winter, a passionate art and handicrafts lover like me is overwhelmed with the sheer number and range of exhibitions of art and craft the city hosts! One of the distinct exhibitions I never miss around this season is organized by an NGO, "A Hundred Hands, a Handmade Initiative". This year, the third edition of exhibition was showcased at Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum a fortnight back and as expected, it brought an interesting menagerie of artists and artisans from various parts of the country.
There was a time when art and crafts blossomed under royal patronage and were highly regarded and duly rewarded until the outbreak of 19th century industrialization. Unfortunately, with time stigma of inferiority and backwardness was attached to handicrafts, diluting its true value. The handicrafts industry still continues to be viewed as decorative, peripheral and sometimes even elitist despite being the second largest source of employment!
Millions of Indians still depend on indigenous modes of production, traditional skills and techniques to make a living based on handmade products. Most of the times, artists and artisans from smaller villages and towns suffer at hands of middlemen. Typically, due to lack of exposure and proper education beyond their art form, they aren't equipped to handle urban markets and lack confidence to match up to the prerequisite skill sets and compete in larger markets. This trend leads to exodus of artisans to urban cities in search of livelihood.
The founders of A Hundred Hands initiative, Mala Dhawan and her sister Dr. Sonia Dhawan discovered the lacunae in Indian handicrafts industry and decided to find a way to sustain revival of arts and handicrafts by providing a platform. Their NGO plays great role in reaching out hundreds of artists and artisans by creating a huge network, empowering and encouraging them with guidance on different concepts, design aesthetics, communication and presentation skills and enhancing their product/craft with providing knowledge on contemporary styles and thus equip them to compete with global products without losing ethos of their art form or craft.
It is need of the hour as nation to have more initiatives like A Hundred Hands to sustain and carry forward legacy of our rich and diverse country and its culture, myths and religions in our art practices. Traditional arts and handicrafts are unique expression of a culture or community and define a civilization hence they must be protected and promoted to keep our identity alive and relevant. I must say, A Hundred Hands initiative is doing a fine job at doing their bit considering how crucial the concept of "handmade" is in today's times and how it helps bringing together such wonderful creativity from gifted artists and artisans!
Here are some snippets from the exhibition that showcased amazing art with its complex, colourful and simple yet captivating raw charm and immensely gifted artists who were such delight to meet with!
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| Artisan Abdul Kalam and his group of weavers from Mirzapur are reviving old tradition of fine craftsmanship and intricate designs of Kilm and carpet weaving |
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| Ironsmith Hanuman Lohar and his community's ironware making skills date back to Rajput era in Rajasthan from |
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| Bio degradable bags made from banana fiber by artisans at Gramya, a social enterprise |
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| Traditional Patwa thread work accessories made by artisan Vishnu Patwa |
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| Chemical free earthern cookware by artisan Bhansing |
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| Chanderi sarees from artisan Afzal Ansari |
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| Art of Metal sculptures carried forward from the Gupta period, artisan M.Raju |
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| Revival of natural, traditional remedies by Sonia Dhawan |
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| Kawad artist Dwarika Prasad Jangid |
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| Shibori by Umoya designs |
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| Fascinating work from Siyahi studio |
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| Traditional work from Rajasthan with interesting social message |
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| A traditional work from Rajasthan |
