Thematic Display - Jodhpur Mega Cluster Jodhpur Artisan Crafts put up in collective display at IHGF Delhi Fair

Jodhpur is one of the most renowned production products.” Both Bheru Singh and Ganesh Suthar feel, “the fair clusters for internationally sought after furniture & has been good and we got some queries. Sometimes buyers accessories and home décor made out of different kinds of think as our exhibitor stalls are small we may not be capable of raw material like recycled wood, cast iron & wrought iron, exporting big orders, but this is not the case. We got a lot of stone, etc. To assist the stakeholders, the Govt. of India queries for wooden boxes with colourful decorations.” we declared Jodhpur, a Mega Cluster of wooden handicrafts. The have got business fro USA the most. Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry A row of sturdy leather boots were displayed at the stall of Textiles entrusted the task of promoting and enhancing of Sumit Tomar who is keen to explore international markets. exports from Jodhpur to EPCH. IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2018 He has a featured a regional representation from this cluster with 10 team of 78 participating artisans and entrepreneurs, mostly experiencing artisans their maiden participation at IHGF Delhi Fair. In conversation working with Team EPB, at the fair they expressed their enthusiasm at with him. the prospect of getting direct orders and at learnings from “Currently interacting with overseas buyers. This display featured we are only woodcraft, tie & dye textile products, rugs & durries, block making boots, slippers and sandals printing, horn & bone crafts and leather items. but we are introducing new Woodcraft specialists, Bheru Singh and Ganesh product lines like jackets, bags, Suthar from Jodhpur offered wooden furniture and home purses, other accessories to décor products like photo frames and serving trays, that apparel and all of them are hand made using leather,” already enjoy informed Sumit and added, “at IHGF, the first day was really a buyer base good. Buyers were interested in the designs that we are in USA. While making and we got queries from many of them. 40% of their Hand carving on camel bone to bring out home décor and products cater gifting products is to the local another craft Rajasthan's market, 60% Jodhpur region is are tuned for famous for. At this exports. Bheru collective display area of has been in Jodhpur mega cluster, it this business was represented in form since the past of intricately carved twenty years decoratives, dresser and has a items, utility boxes, etc. team of 12 artisans working with him. He shared, “seminars embellished with fine and workshops by EPCH have been quite helpful as they have detailing by Aarif Khan. taught us about marketing and how to showcase our Excited at the buyer e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018 traffic and magnitude of the fair, he said, "such initiative and queries and are going to ship exposure goes a long way in encouraging artisans towards a some samples soon." new recognition for their work and aim to make efforts to Women artisan, Samjhu Devi, enter the global market. It was a good experience. I got buyers adept in textile crafts like from Australia and USA besides some domestic buyers." Aarif and crochet, works Khan’s entire family is involved in this work and they have under a NGO called SURE(Society been into this trade since 40 years now. They are already to Uplift Rural Economy) that working with buyers in UK and Australia. This time they got works with around 2,500 artisans teak inlay products among new lines alongside resin & bone and supplies to Fabindia among combinations. other domestic volume retailers. Another horn & bone entrepreneur, Mohd. Sayeed from She was busy absorbing Jodhpur, is very thankful to EPCH for this platform where one experiences from her first can showcase products and explore international markets. “We presence at IHGF. She said, the have been seminars and skill development attending their workshops organised by EPCH are very helpful as they help seminars and them familiarise with international market demands, Govt. workshops schemes and entrepreneurship. “At IHGF, we got a good quite often, reponse, buyers appreciated us and we got orders from they are of Taiwan, Australia and some domestic buyers,” she added. great help.” He Another woman artisan, Ghudi who too was from Barmer also informed also specialises in a similar craft. Mirror work and typical that they have Rajasthani folk motifs are common in her 98% hand labour a team of 18 worked, with the sewing machine restricted to stitching and artisans working with them and they are into this business fortifying corners / borders of the products. She got along, since 30 years. “We use camel bones and horns as raw cushion covers, bedsheets, bags and kurtis and Indian salwars. materials to make boxes, dolls, jars, and utility decoratives,” he She shared that traditionally, they practiced this craft to bring added. “This is the first time I was coming to this fair so out products of everyday use or to give away as wedding gifts expectation were quite high. I can say that the fair has been to daughters. Gradually, this was used to earn livelihood as very good. I am leaving with enquiries and expect them to women set out to make these products for sale in local materialise into orders,” he concluded. markets and places of tourist interest. "We are here due to Rajasthan's globally acclaimed hand block printing at this Gramin Vikas evam Chetna Sansthan (GVCS) and its association display came from Mohd. Iqbal, a second time participant at with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, she said, IHGF who has been in expressing gratitude for the grooming and fine-tuning of their this business since two skills that are decades. His product in turn range included cotton making their as the base material in products their T shirts, shirts and suitable for bedsheets. He said, this various is a "great opportunity international given by EPCH to reach markets and buyers from other as a result, countries. The fair has empowering been really good. We women in have already got the region. „

e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018 Thematic Display - Jammu & Needlecraft & Artistic Expressions from Jammu & Kashmir

The Thematic display of J&K crafts at IHGF Delhi Fair- raw material Spring 2018 was preceded by a performance area with music from a unit of and live craft demonstrations. A team of musicians playing Aditya Birla traditional Kashmiri music enticed the guests just as the crafts Group and persons held visitors in rapt attention to demonstrations of Unilever Ltd. kani embroidery, art of papier machie, rug making and Some of it is carpet . J&K is famous for its scenic beauty and from Kolkata exclusive raw material base that inspires and shapes crafts in and Raipur, walnut wood, crewel embroidery, , Namdas while the cushion covers & other home furnishings, papier machie Pashmina is products, naquash silverware, willow baskets, copper and from Mongolia. brassware, etc. The speciality of Kashmiri handicrafts also We use Korean wool,” he concluded. dwells on the use of antique techniques and age old Another first time participant was Tariq A. Dar from traditions with potential to churn out various eco-friendly Pashmkaar. He felt, this platform is a good opportunity to products that can be distinctly unique on the basis of their showcase products and meet international buyers. He shared, utility and quality. The overall display included stalls of 20 “I met some potential buyers already. I export to Europe, UK entrepreneurs and exporters with their product ranges in and Asian countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan.” They offered rugs, carpets, shawls & stoles, home furnishings, woodcrafts a variety of shawls and scarves, handmade using 100% and papier machie products. Pashmina. They had tried to bring in variations by including Shalimar Textiles’ representative, Khurshid Ahmed was lighter alongside their traditional designs. Mr. Dar participating in IHGF Delhi Fair for the first time. They elaborated, “we have also tried to tweak our designs with manufacture shawls, stoles and scarves, mainly in Pashmina, offering value additions like embroidery and prints in their product offering. Mr. Ahmed informed that they can cater to deadlines and complete orders prior to estimated time lines owing to the 150 power looms and 12 high speed looms in their unit. Shalimar Textiles has participated in many international fairs, said Mr. Ahmed and shared of meeting buyers interested in their displayed products. “We source our e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018 different colours and designs. We are also experimenting with Kashmir Heitage a new line - men's mufflers and baby's scarves. We also have a Co. said, “our new clothing line, where use different fabrics and designs Pashmina proucts merged with traditional Kashmiri embroidery.” are uniquely Akbar Art Gallery, specialising in papier machie and designed and have enamelware was represented by Parvez Naqash. “We have antique value over been in this other products business since 26 available in the years now and have market. Some of been participating them take over in IHGF since the two years to make. last 16 years,” he Some buyers have informed and already inquired added that lately, about our products,” and emphatically added, “at a time that they have extended production is declining in J&K, this effort of bringing J&K crafts their product in a thematic display by EPCH is appreciated.” periphery to Gulam Mohd Khan from RCO Arts Emporium got include handmade embroidered steel products. Their Pashmina stoles, product line leather bags and includes antique rugs in his stall. reproductions, “Pure Pashmina is boxes, candle stands, carpets & rugs, decorative objects, lamps, used in our papier machie, picture frames and trays. They export to France, products. Our America, Germany and also supply to stores within India. major attractions Baba Enterprises, a firm dealing in Pashmina shawls, are stoles this rumals and embroidery as well as kalamkari embellished time,” he said. products was represented by Salman Hamid Baba. He shared, Mehraj from “we specialise in pure Pashmina woolen products and source Mehraj Crafts our raw materials from the Himalayan regions, mainly Ladakh. offered Pashmina They also offered selections in plain shawls. Added stoles and mufflers with handmade embroidery. Totally Mr. Baba, “we can cater handmade Kani shawls, towels and reversible products are to buyers with their forte. Said different budgets. Our Mr. Mehraj, “the art of handlooms are woven Kashmiri embroidery and embroidered by is quite painstaking artisans in Srinagar.” and is gradually This is the third year dying. We are only they were participating trying to preserve it in this fair and their by promoting it more shawls generated and more.” good buyer queries. Netherlands, Second time Switzerland and USA participant, Fayaz are their main import Ahmad Dar from markets.

e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018 BaBa Cottage Industries represented by Mubbashir got rugs had along completely handmade made-ups in wool, beautified Namdas with needle work among their (Kani embroidery). main Wooden sticks attractions. which look “These are somewhat similar also to the chopsticks considered to are used for be the king of making this. “A lot Kashmiri of digital prints are handicrafts coming in and in this we nowadays, he said have 3 to 4 and added that qualities,” he some of their informed and products are explained that one is cotton with embroidery, the other is 50% machine made cotton+50% wool and the third is 100% wool. Another also, to cater to a section of the market. Most of the products product that they displayed were small worship mats. Among are Kani works. Pashmina is used as the primary raw material their curtains there were screen printed and digital printed and their entire range includes stoles and fur items, jackets ones with some hand embellished. Their major importers are and stoles with lace work. from the Middle East. Showing his exhibited lines, Zameer Naqash from Jan Handicrafts was another flooring specialist Arts said that this time they were represented at IHGF Delhi Fair by Wasim for whom this work is showcasing continuation of a family tradition. Their products are stoles. “Merino handmade wool is the silk carpets main raw and rugs, material that made by we use, at using times blended looms. with 15% silk,” There are he informed different and added that variations they also do jackets and shawls. that they GM Shawls represented by Sheikh Feroze have been have in IHGF participants since a decade now. Through this these participation at a theme presentation, they have met some products. In prospective buyers, he said. They primarily export to Middle one they East. They have their own production house, where they also use 100% make their raw material. “Our best selling products and hand- silk, in embroidered Pashmina products,” informed Mr. Feroze. another the base is made from base threading and then it is layered on with cotton and silk. It's a family tradition. Their Namdas rugs are another traditional speciality from J&K major importers are from European countries and USA. To keep and some exhibitors at this theme pavilion displayed their interest intact, new designs like those inspired by Persian selections in this product category. Mr. Bhatt from Kabir designs and 3d designs are being introduced by this firm. „ International that deals in home furnishing like curtains and e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018 Thematic Display- North Eastern Region Himalayan Fibers, Handlooms and Sustainable Crafts from NER Ethical & Sustainable lifestyle statements from Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland

An exclusive showcase of crafts from India's North Eastern Region (NER) was set up at a Theme Pavilion at IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2018. With a team of 20 artisans and entrepreneurs as well as representation by welfare organisations like North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC); Bodoland Regional Apex Weavers & Artisans Co-operation Federation Ltd.(BRAWFED); and Poma Bamboo Processing Center, this collective display included crafts from states of the North East India.

Sonam Tyashi Gyalsten and his firm and the fair has progressed a lot in many aspects, besides - LA from Sikkim got along elegant giving us quite a few buyers, shared Sonam. He has been lamp shades, created using the participating since the last three years. Brand LA, primarily nomadic weaving technique of focuses on making mountain made products and also happens ‘Yakult’. As part of this line, they also to be a social enterprise connecting with communities in the make bottle jackets, lamp shades, desk mountains following a ‘buy-back’ system with artisans. top utilities and tea infusers, in similar A regular participant at IHGF since 2008, Haider Ali, from minimalist styles. They deal in handicrafts made of wood and Sivasagar, Assam started bamboo. The tea infusers are made by a community called the working with Muga and Eri Chunda, who live near the silk in 2004, initially catering riverside. They products are to boutiques in the local made by a machine which is market and moving on to powered by the river without export markets like France, any electricity. Their lamp Germany and Russia. Though shades are very popular in he deals in silk jackets, Norway and Netherlands, said shawls, cushion covers, quilts Sonam. The NER Theme and runners, his main focus is Pavilion is a great initiative on silk stoles and king size

e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018 shawls that include use of natural dyes in the fiber stage and to six years back, the market for Eri silk had diminished but traditional hand spinning techniques thereafter. He informed, now it sees a promising revival with changes in the traditional “this season, we have a wide variety of shawls and Nehru usage," he shared and added about how shawls are modified coats made up of Muga silk and Eri silk.” into stoles to become user-friendly. As more colours are Bamboo craft sought, natural dyes are mixed to attain new shades. This time specialist firm, they got along products in Assamese indigo dye and tea dye. Disha Enterprises He is concerned that as the products are handspun and artisan from Assam is dependent, volumes are difficult to achieve in a limiting represented by turnaround time. This at times, becomes the biggest hindrance Shantanu in catering to seasonal international demands that also involve Sutradhar, shipping time. participating in Narendra Borah from Oi Qua LLP, Assam, has been in this IHGF for the fifth business since the last three years but this was a maiden time in a row. He participation under the Oi Qua banner. Informing about his feels, "the idea of product theme pavilion is range, very good as it Narendra, an gives us a NIFT alumni platform to showcase our traditional handicrafts in a theme elaborated, display. This fair provides great opportunities both for buyers “we have and sellers. While a buyer gets many varieties under one roof, three major exhibitors benefit from meeting buyers from so many categories of countries. This excellent platform has helped us increase our products - client base, and as a result has increased production capacity home décor, back home.” They have been in business since 1999 and have fashion created an online store at Amazon named Green Lifestyle with accesssories assortments like baskets, trays and small pieces of furniture and creative that are very popular in Europe, Middle East and Australia. Adds products. We produce our own yarn and cocoons. All our Shantanu, “Among our display products, our sling bags are material is naturally hand spun and woven by us. We are extremely popular, so much so that it gets difficult to fulfill the already exporting to USA, Korea, Japan, Peru and also demand at times. This time we have developed leather supplying to buyers within India. All products we have are combination cane bags.” unique and best-selling.” "Assam is the only place where the world comes for silk," “We feel blessed to be here proclaims Puberun Sarmah, with an air of local pride. Based in at this fair,” said Keisham Babita Nalbari, Assam, he deals in organically dyed, handspun Devi from Manipur, Muga and Eri silk as well as cotton handloom stoles. He manufacturer exporter of bags, has a retail store and also baskets and purses made of jute caters to buyers in and other natural fibers, offered Singapore, New Zealand, a vibrant range in bags with Korea and USA. Having vibrant pom-poms, trims & been in this profession tassels through her firm-Natural since 8 years, Puberun Textile Collection. This appreciates overseas entrepreneur working with buyers who value organic women artisans, exports to and natural products. "Five Europe, Australia and USA. e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018 Heirloom Naga, furnishings, home linen and made-ups that are embellished manufacturers and with prints, digital designs and block printing. Shravanti added, exporters of native "IHGF has been a great platform in terms of trade as without it artistic textiles we would have never imagined multiple buyers and sellers and crafts are meeting at a common place.” based in Dimapur, Priyom Hazarika of Nature Trade, Assam, has been Nagaland. With a associated with the IHGF Delhi Fair since 2005 and has seasoned woman benefitted from the market linkages she has established here. manufacturer exporter of the region - Jesmina Zeliang at the helm of affairs, they also deal in bamboo & cane home utility and home decor products. Their premium range in made-ups and other handlooms are 100% cotton, hand woven using heirloom traditions and dyed with eco-friendly colours. Catering primarily to the high-end market, they had put up a tastefully done stall with unique pieces attracting attention. The products carried many signature designs of the mother-son A plethora of natural fibers from the hills were at their glory at owner duo that also have domestic retail units in the North East. her stall in the form of bags, baskets, yoga mats and even hats. This time, their display had handloom home furnishing and Bags made primarily from water hyacinth in many sizes made-ups presentaing a contrast of sorts in the classical black & and to serve many purposes, runners, baskets, mats, purses, white, rich mustard & raven, reds & browns, etc. wallets, carry bags and much more offer a varied range at the Fourth stall of Nature Trade. Among attractions were her laundry time IHGF baskets with interesting and colourful embellishments. participant, Shravanti Borah's passion for reviving the traditional silks of Assam, brought her into this field and this time she brought in Nirman Fabrics by Sarah Fashion from Guwahati, Assam, handlooms with typical Assamese motifs drawn from the was represented by Bapan Sarkar and Twarita Das, regulars at traditional attire-Mekhala Chador and woven into cushion EPCH fairs since over five years. Handlooms are their forte covers in pinks, browns, blues and a dominant indigo across with products like cushion covers and curtains. This time her display. “People actually want to see something from the their theme was natural off-white with subtle handloom North-East because we deal with natural products, natural motifs, including some in pleasing shades of ochre, green, native silk which is not found anywhere else. Some buyers brown, blue, etc. with selections in shibori dyeing techniques. have already contacted me before the fair, to come and meet Their stall looked awash with soothing off white and egg shell me,” informed Shravanti. Also displayed at her stall were stoles white, emitting a very cool and summery feel. They have their in florals against a white base as well as a line is solid tones. export market in Thailand, Australia and France and domestic Her firm-Enajori that means 'the thread of love', took shape in market in Delhi, Mumbai and Guwahati. This time they got Guwahati and she deals in Eri (ahimsa silk) and Muga silk three confirmed orders from buyers based in Switzerland, sarees, mekhala chadors and stoles as well as fabrics, home Australia and Indian brand-Fab India.

e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018 “This is a great Industries, Tripura -a firm set by platform given to us for Kanak’s elder brother in 1968. a good start in the IHGF participants since 2006, international market they have an export base in and I also got a good South Africa. “Some of our response,” said Jahnabi products are made up of Phookan of Tribal bamboo roots,” informs Mr. Dhar. heritage. They displayed a line of vibrant handlooms made First time participant, of Eri and Muga silk. They also cater to the local market. Dharya Mehta from firm, Green “I am glad to be Basket, Nagaland, got visitors here again in this fair,” from both India and overseas. “this experience is an eye said second time opener for me. I also enjoyed seeing products of co- participant Tamie May, exhibitors,” she said and informed that theirs is a new representing Looms of enterprise and Changmha, Mizoram. started as a Their work has been a backyard business. family tradition since IHGF has guided past 12 years with a them to reach an strong local market base. They had on display, bamboo international decoratives, handloom stoles, jackets and casual bags. clientele. This firm In course of the fair they were approached by 8 international deals in home utility products, mainly made from and 10 domestic buyers. “It was a wonderful experience,” bamboo, wood and water reed. Another first time concluded Tamie. participant was Regional Design and Technical Development Kaustav Varun Borbora from a fairly new firm-Silk Culture, Center, Guwahati, represented by MUR Kishore Kumar. “I am Assam, got good buyer traffic to his stall with one from Japan glad to be a part of this fair. Their stall displayed a collection of and one from Fab India. Kaustav feels, for a place like North handwoven scarves and East that is not covered handloom cushion covers. by all, EPCH has cusions. Kishore informed, provided a really good “the base material used is platform to showcase pure cotton and the our products. “It allows designs on them are us to diversify our work commonly called The and encourages us to Missing Tribe and The Miri experiment more by Tribe techniques that are providing market being revived now”. exposure. We have moved from fabrics to shirts, cushion Bodoland Regional covers and bags since our last participation at this fair,” he said Apex Weavers and and informed of their specialisation in Muga silk. “They buy Artisans Cooperative and process muga cocoon and treat it at their production Federation Ltd.(BRAWFED), facility. Silk Culture also hosts its own handloom unit that Assam, was represented at manufactures mainly Assamese design Mekhela Chadors, IHGF by Ansumai Brahma. sarees and stoles. They are hand woven in Muga, Pat, Their colourful display comprised a rich collection of Tassar and Eri, either plain or with different motifs. handicrafts and handloom products like stoles and shawls, Bamboo home decoratives and human figurines inspired primarily made of Eri silk with traditional ‘hill/pahari designs’ as by daily life adorned the stall of Kanak Kanti Dhar from Dhar well as cane and bamboo decoratives. “„ e-CRAFTCIL • Issue 43, 2018