Sanni Gupta, a graduate from National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, is trying to revive Bihar's dying Sikki art.
The 25-year-oldPatna resident has launched a brand - Jogira - that makes decorative products using the art form. Sikki art involves weaving golden fibres of grass into decorative items. The grass grows on the riverside of Bihar's rural areas.
In 2013, Sanni went to Bhuj (Gujarat) to work on a college project. Sanni said he still remembered how the people there had influenced him. "Every household in Bhuj is engaged in regional handloom, handicraft and artwork," he said. "They earn their livelihood from home. This is where I got the idea."
"After my graduation, I visited Madhubani and Mithila," he said. "Madhubani paintings are famous and so many sell the products. I opted for Sikki art and met artisans. Dhirendra Kumar from Madhubani taught me."
Sanni researched the art form and launched the brand with his team members, Dhirendra and third-year NIFT-Patna student Nimisha. Sanni implements new ideas and techniques in the artwork.
"I brought in innovations such as bending grass with nails and weaving it into different shapes," said Sanni. "We make lamps, wall hangings and jewellery with raisin. Recently, we started making dry fruit packaging items with the shell of wood apples."
Sanni displayed his products at the 17th Kala Ghoda Art Festival in Mumbai last month and earned appeciation. Gunnupati Venkata Krishna, a conglomerate company, approached him to sell his products at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
His team designed 100 postcards with the image of the Patna Sahib gurdwara, on the tourism department's orders. These cards were displayed across London in January to invite its Sikh population for the 350th anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh in Patna, scheduled for 2017. He also designed mementos for the 33 delegates who attended the International Buddhist Conclave in Bodhgaya in 2014. He designed invitation cards, the backdrop and mementos for guests at the Rajgir Mahotsava in the same year.
Sanni said it was a difficult start for him because he had taken a loan to start his brand.
"But our products are in demand now and we apprehend a bright future ahead," he said.
Sanni said his life changed in 2014, when the then principal secretary of the tourism department praised his work during a five-day meet at Lalit Kala Academi. He started getting consignments from the tourism department soon after.
"Whatever my husband earns is not enough to meet our basic necessities and educate three kids," said Ganita Devi of Madhubani, who works with Sanni. "I started selling my handicrafts but hardly got any money. From less than Rs 500 a month, I earn more than Rs 6,000 now, thanks to the brand."
Thirty Madhubani artisans are working with his brand but it needs a platform to sell their products.
Sanni has also trained NIFT aspirants. Of the 25 students he coached, 20 cleared the exam in 2104 and 2015.
