The Hindu : Showcasing Punjab's craftsmanship

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 03, 2004

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Showcasing Punjab's craftsmanship

PATIALA, MARCH 2. Tourism is an area in Punjab offering strong potential and huge benefits for the economy, and the state government is making strong efforts towards cashing it in. The annual Patiala Heritage Festival, showcasing the state's brilliant craftsmanship and the majesty of the city, goes some way in placing the city on the international tourist map.

A celebration of the state's art, coming together to joy in its cultural wealth. The fortnight-long Patiala Heritage Festival sent out hugely positive vibes and ripples of the continuing vibrancy of age-old Punjabi handicraft and art, a pointer to huge attractions for the international market and the potential for tourism in the state.

Having set the tone last year for revival of the state's cultural heritage, the event this year has looked to spice itself further by adding a national and cross-border flavour, from the artisans present to the handicrafts on sale, the decor, and of course, the culinary attractions.

Recreating that ambience and mood were aimed above all at drawing the tourist and making a statement in that direction.

Ashwani Sekhri, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister of Punjab, says, ``Sprucing up the tourism industry is our major motive. From here employment will be generated which will in the end benefit the economy of Punjab. We want to promote tourism, provide employment and provide a boost to the economy.''

Whether the casual visitor out to take in the colour, the enthusiast or the connoisseur, there was something in it for everyone. The famous Phulkari work painstaking made by rural women of Punjab, inlay work from Hoshiarpur, `Punjabi Til' juttis and so much more enthralled visitors.

The festival brought together some 200 artisans mostly from the interiors of Punjab and other states, showcasing art specialised to their respective areas. The guest states at the festival this year were Uttaranchal and Kerala. The scope is likely to be widened further in years to come.

For the consumer, it was an exposure to works that might never have known otherwise. Perhaps more importantly for the craftsmen, an opportunity to bring their skill out into the mainstream, enhance their reach to a greater audience.

Mohammed Akil, a wood craftsman from Saharanpur says, ``The biggest advantage is that our work is sold here at a better price than back home. The craft of our home state is made popular. What the speciality of Saharanpur is would hardly be known if it were not for events like this. Through popularity of our work, employment will rise and so will business."

``The biggest problem faced by girls and artisans in the villages is the proper marketing of their work. They are not confident enough to come to the cities to sell. A festival like this fills this gap. People come to know of their skill. Demand for their goods rises and retail outlets will buy more from artisans in the villages,'' says Devinder Singh Chandok, an official of the Phulkari Punjabi Government Emporium.

Masters and maestros complete the magic. Hari Prasad Chaurasia was among the numerous big names -- singers, dancers and instrumentalists from around the country performing against the majestic backdrop of Patiala's architectural wonders.

Flavours of royalty and tradition and classical brilliance all at once - the experience was out of this world. ``There are very few places in India where you can feel such a grand setting like the Qila Mubarak in the background of which the concert is held. It gives a magical charm, a revival of old cultural values for which Patiala is known,'' says Ramdev Kunte, a visitor from Mumbai.

The wonder in the air itself was palpable through the fortnight long event. Punjab's potential in the area of tourism had not been exploited to its potential. Steps, strong yet sublime, have been made in that direction. -- ANI

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