The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Bid to rejuvenate crafts through cluster approach

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 21, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Bid to rejuvenate crafts through cluster approach

Sandhya Soman

Handicrafts Development Corporation awaits reports from Collectors Project report from Collectors awaited

ANCIENT CRAFT: Thanjavur `Thalai Aattu bommais'. — Photo: M. SRINATH

CHENNAI: It is an effort to bring the smile back on the faces of Thanjavur `Thalai Aattu bommais' and terracotta figurines, and weave back the magic into `pathamadai' mats.

The Tamilnadu Handicrafts Development Corporation is awaiting project reports from Collectors before deciding on the steps required for rejuvenating the sector through the cluster approach.

Plastic versions of the traditional clay and papier-mâché Tanjavur dolls, with their bright faces ever ready to bob at a touch, have flooded the market.

"With plastic, you don't have to bother about having the right mixture of clay and papier-mâché, so the dolls will keep rocking," said the Handicrafts Development Corporation Chairman and Managing Director, D. Rajendran.

Changing lifestyles have affected the demand for the eco-friendly `pathamadai' mats from Tirunelveli, Mr. Rajendran says.

And an-almost dry Cauvery riverbed has led to a severe shortage of reeds that provides the pith for crafting fancy figures.

The State Government, which allocated Rs.30 lakh, has issued an order on September 5 allotting Rs.10 lakh to each cluster.

The three clusters will focus on lacquer ware and mat weaving in Tirunelveli, terracotta and papier-mâché in Madurai and Dindigul and pith work and doll-making in Thanjavur.

A district handicrafts cluster development committee, headed by the Collector, will identify artisans, form clusters and find out the problems plaguing each sector, says Mr. Rajendran.

"Based on the project reports, we will allocate money, whether it is to help procure raw materials or set up a common facility," Mr. Rajendran says.

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