Jamshedpur, Oct. 24: Handicraft of the state are all set to get a more refined look soon.
With the state gearing up to provide the handicraft section the much-needed thrust, the future certainly looks bright for this sector.
Manikant Azad, the state director of handloom in the sericulture and handicraft section, said: ?We?re in the last stages of our talks with the Indian Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT), Ahmedabad, to set up an autonomous body in collaboration with them.?
According to Azad, the establishment of this body will help revive the handicraft sector, which had been neglected since the formation of Jharkhand.
Azad further said once the institute has been established, the artists would receive proper guidance and would be able to work on the latest designs.
The institute would also give them a fair idea of the products in demand in the market and the artists would get an opportunity to work on a wider range of products, he added.
?Tribal handicrafts of the state do not lack in quality, but in technology. This has made it difficult for them to compete at a national level,? he said.
A factor working against the state?s handicraft industry is its unrefined appearance. Azad is of the opinion that this needs to be improved to make them stand out and figure on the preference list of customers.
?Once we join hands with IIFT, Ahmedabad, the artists will get to learn the nuances of working skilfully on a more professional level,? added Azad.
Further encouragement for the state artists would come when they get to showcase their talent in Delhi. ?We?re going to acquire a state emporium in Delhi, which will enable artists to sell their work throughout the year. This will also ensure they have a source of income with regular sale of products at the annual trade fairs,? he stated.
The state emporium would be a constructed building in the prime location of Delhi, which will house a collection of the latest in the handicraft division.
Also in the pipeline is the process of appreciating the works of the local artists by giving them cash incentives. ?We plan to hand over Rs 40,000 to the artist, who is chosen as the best, followed closely by a second prize of Rs 25,000,? said Azad.
