REACHING OUT: NIFT students helping Naqqash craftsman develop a new design with the help of a laptop.

NIRMAL (ADILABAD): In order to make Nirmal toys nifty, students from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad, are helping Naqqash craftsmen in design development and product diversification here as part of a 15-day workshop.

They are also trying to identify the unique aspects in the craft for enabling the craftsmen seek a patent.

Gayatri Chopra, one of the seven students of the NIFT, said a survey of Naqqash families with regard to lifestyle and other aspects associated with their livelihood was conducted.

Unique style

As for identification of the unique style in Nirmal toys, she said the process of gluing together pieces of wood using a paste made by grinding tamarind seeds was one aspect identified so far.

Aditi Prakash, a furniture design expert, also working with the craftsmen on product diversification and design development, said though the toy animals from Nirmal were beautiful examples of craftsmanship, there was need for product diversification.

"The focus is not only on making products which have strong utility value like trays, photo frames etc with the same poniki wood, but on use of natural dyes in the process.

The present effort is to prepare the craftsmen to exhibit new products at an international seminar organised by the Crafts Council of Andhra Pradesh - to be held in Hyderabad in November. This would also expose the craftsmen to design development across the world, she said.

Ms. Prakash said environment-friendly products like naturally dyed craft articles have a good market. "The design development in Nirmal toys is being followed with supply orders. The orders have been of moderate size but the future is bright. Though handmade products cannot compete with those made on machines, the cute designs of Nirmal toys can carve a niche in the market," she hoped.

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