The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : His forte is to create marvels with jute

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 02, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

His forte is to create marvels with jute

B. Madhu Gopal

Hiran Mondal earns laurels

VISAKHAPATNAM: As you walk into the Prahlada Kalyana Mandapam, you find an unassuming middle-aged man in a small stall – Subra Handicrafts – displaying his masterpieces in jute. It takes a little prodding to make Hiran Mondal come out of his shell.

This jute artisan from Kolkata had bagged a cash award of Rs.20,000 from the Government of India recently for his ‘elephant’. His masterpiece had bagged the first prize at the competitions held in Kolkata in August this year and has found a permanent place in the Zonal Cultural Centre Museum.

He was one among the 47 artisans practising different crafts, who had participated in the Cultural Festival of India held in the United States in 1991.

He created an ‘elephant gateway’ in New Jersey. The arch, supported by two elephants, is a masterpiece in jute.

“The declining market for jute products made me think of innovative things to sustain the art and that keeps me going,” says Mr. Mondal. His hand-woven deer are the hot favourite of art lovers. They can be kept in a showcase, TV tops or just anywhere.

The trunk, legs and antlers are woven separately with twine. The longevity of these products has increased their demand. “They do not require any maintenance and don’t lose their sheen even after several years,” he says.

He has made a one-and-a-half foot statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar with jute and plans to present it to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in Kolkata on December 2. He is presently working on making a chariot of the Sun God.

The jute exhibition, being organised by the Jute Manufacturers Development Council, will be on till December 5.

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