The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation, which promotes arts and craft of the north eastern region under the ministry of development, is planning to approach the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Guwahati, for making cane and bamboo sofa sets less cumbersome and more flexible.
The cane and bamboo sofa sets of North Eastern states, particularly from Tripura, are known for their quality and come with an almost lifetime guarantee.
Though there are no complaints on the quality and build of the sets, the market feedback suggested that many people wanted a foldable option to save space. The corporation will approach the IIT-G for these kind of additions, according to corporation’s managing director Jagdish Borah.
Speaking to Business Standard, he said the corporation was yet to scale up its artisan workforce for mass supply of sofa sets, which are priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs 30,000 depending on the exclusivity of the design.
They have a good demand in adjoining and other states. About 45 per cent of the artisans are dependent on cane and bamboo products.
The corporation will also adopt a cluster approach for developing a business model and encouraging the cane sector. Of late, large amount of cane is being supplied to other states resulting in shortage for the local industries and subsequent increase in prices.
The corporation has recently changed the sofa ergonomics based on the guidance from the National Institute of Design. Based on the feedback, the artisans and craftsmen have been asked to produce contemporary utility items like hand fans, conference bags, lamp shades, office stationery and others.
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They, of course, still continue with their traditional items like mats, baskets, Naga spears, wood carvings and ornamental items, he said.
“There is a lot of demand for gift articles abroad,” said Borah. The focus is on capacity building for mass production.
The umbrella organisation for promotion of crafts also has plans to approach the newly established National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Shillong for value additions to Muga silk, a golden silk variety that is exclusive to Assam, and Pat (mulberry silk) and other handlooms.
For skill upgradation of artisans, the corporation, which has an annual sales turnover of about Rs 10 crore, plans to provide training with master trainers.
It will set up Purbashree, an exclusive outlet selling the arts and crafts of northeastern states, in Hyderabad and Siliguri shortly. It is expecting sales revenues of Rs 50 lakh during the exhibition that will be on at the Institute of Engineers in Hyderabad till August 31.