Project >Madhyanchal Organic Farmer Handicraft & Apparel Manufacturers Federation

The federation providing a opportunity to rural artisan through SHG formation and joining hands together to get associated at one platform, which shall provide an opportunity for skill up gradation towards designing, tailoring and weaving of quality marketable apparels.
The Indian Handicrafts are distinguished for their aesthetic value and myriad designs. They have been perfected over centuries. Interestingly the tools used today were in use as early as the Stone Age. Excavations have revealed a whole world of techniques and designs followed by our ancestors, and they remain unmatched to date. The Khajuraho temples are the latest example of Bundelkhand Sculpture and art.

The pottery of Neolithic age reflects remarkable development of craftsmanship in it is painting and design work. Through the centuries, Indians have woven a rich tradition of such splendor and aesthetic beauty, that Indian handicrafts have become one of the most sought after art objects of the world.

These artists strive to combine the traditional with modern. The handicraft items are carefully made so that they retain the ethnic value, while they can be put to

modern day use. Our designers have kept in mind the changing needs of the consumers, especially the foreign markets. High priced goods are at times an obstacle to their sale. Moreover, imitation products are cheaper and easily available.

Indian paintings, drawn mostly by village craftsmen, have the most exquisite styles possible. These reflect the traditions handed over from generation to generation over centuries. The colors and themes used reflect the cultural diversity of India.

The Kalamkari technique of painting involves drawing outlines with burnt tamarind twigs dipped in molasses and iron fillings. The vegetable dyes of deep shades are used to create epic scenes. With repeated but subdued coloring processes, a sober yet fine effect is achieved. The finished product recalls with vigor the mythological themes that are depicted and the pictures pulsate with larger than life figures. The immense scope of expression ensures that no two panels are alike.

The Pata Chitra painters are attached to the family of Jagganath Temple of Puri. In this tradition the cloth, cotton or tussar, is coated with a mixture of chalk, tamarind seed and gum, giving the surface a leathery finish. These are also drawn on palm leaves.

Phad painting is done by family of painters of Bhilwara in Rajasthan. The themes, usually depicting historic tales of Rajput Chieftains are painted on long cloth lengths. The outlines of the paintings are first drawn in blocks and later filled with colors.

Thanka painting from Leh in Ladhak revolves around Buddha and ritual worship. The figures flow and the forms of the dragons dominate. Thanka paintings, made of cloth, are popular for their brilliant color display as wall hangings.

Hand Made papers
The history of handmade paper dates back to 105 AD, with its origin in China. However, Indians hold the credit of having used paper from cellulose fibers during third century BC. The handmade paper industry that had flourished in India during the Mughal era gradually declined with the establishment of paper mills during the 18th and 19th centuries. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the art of handmade papermaking was revived under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi.

Today, the handmade paper industry has over 157 handmade paper working units all over the country. These produce around Rs 21 crore worth of papers, providing full time employment to around 10,000 persons in the rural areas. In contrast, there is a sharp decline of the industry in countries like Japan and European countries.

The handmade paper in India is produced mainly by recycling waste agro raw materials such as cotton rags, in the form of tailor cutting, hosiery cutting; and small quantities of waste paper. Other agro fibers like jute, straw, banana are also used to blend with the primary fibers for mottling effect etc.

Handmade papers have an elegant appeal and an exquisite surface for writing. Innumerable varieties for decorative wrapping purposes are now available. They come in appealing varieties, with small dried flowers and leaves, colored fiber etc., making them attractive. It has huge tensile, bursting, tearing and double fold strength as compared to mill paper and it does not turn brittle due to aging.

Among the many items made, products like deckle edged drawing stationary, carry bags from natural fibers account for over 400 crores worth exports to developed countries every year. With the technological developments, handmade paper despite its non-glazing appearance is ideally suited for four-color production on offset machine.

Kasmiri Floor Coverings are famous the world over for its embroidery work. The embroidery style used for this purpose is coarser and sturdy, as compared to that used for shawls. The chain stitch is used in varying degrees of thickness. The yarn goods are usually done on floral designs.

A line of dark color, adjacent to a light color gives the impression of depth and richness. The embossed effect created by the work makes it a nice change from printed or woven materials and accounts for its great demand in the international market.

The Namdas, a type of carpet, are made with chain stitch. At one time, they were considered the cheapest flooring but designers have made them so attractive that their beauty is much sought after. They have become an art form and have been raised from the floor to the walls, where they are hung in place of pictures.

Chain stitch rugs are done in pastel shades on Hessian cloth and are extremely attractive. The whole surface is covered with embroidery and is then backed with strong cotton material to give them strength and body. The light pinks, blues, greens and creams blend in such an aesthetic whole that the rug becomes too beautiful to be kept on the floor. Bags, screens and cushion covers are other applications of the same art.

Gabbas are made from old worn out blankets pressed together. Felt applique in bold designs is held down with chain stitch done with a hook. The designs are bold and can be floral or geometrical. Special designs are made to suit any taste or meet any demand. For example, those made for children's rooms show pictures from fairytales, birds, animals etc



The origin of pottery can be traced to the Neolithic period, when coarse hand-made wares were developed. The Harrappan and Mohanjodaro cultures improved this art with the technology of wheels. Since then, these wheels have rolled out the finest pots under the expert hands of the Indian craftsmen.

Today, in the Indian villages, around 15 lakh potters with traditional skills are plying their profession. About 95% of them are engaged in the traditional red or local clay pottery work. The extent of employment of outsiders in the village pottery activities is about 9%. The rest 91% are potters family members who assist the potters in various operations, from preparation of clay to baking the raw products in the kiln.

The socioeconomic conditions of the traditional potters too is far from satisfactory. Most of the potters families have no landed property, own source of availability of raw materials, working shed, furnace etc. Thus, even if any financial organization offers them assistance they are unable to avail of it as they do not have property for mortgage against such assistance.

Hardly any potter in the unorganized pottery sector approaches the banks for loans. They take loans for other purposes such as marriages, celebration of festivals etc. Potters are also vary of Government loans as they take long winding procedures to obtain them. This leads them to the local money lenders who exploit them.