Over a hundred artisans from rural parts of the northeastern states are currently part of a 'Production Mela' organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre under the Union ministry of Culture in Guwahati.
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The program that will conclude on March 31 aims to help promote the art of traditional weavers and crafts persons.
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It is an initiative to help these artisans establish market linkage and engage them directly with probable buyers and suppliers.
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Besides the crafts persons, some of the best wood sculptors are also creating masterpieces depicting the cultural heritage of their states.
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The participants from different states are also getting an opportunity to exchange their ideas and techniques.
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"It is the vision of the government of India that rural artisans, who in fact are the keepers of the knowledge of traditional arts, should be given opportunity to not only showcase traditional arts but also pave way for their economic upliftment. Out of this workshop we hope that they will get good contacts with the suppliers and even probable buyers, which ultimately will help towards our efforts to ensure its continuity," said Lipokmar Tzudir, Director, NEZCC (North East Zone Cultural Centre).
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The Department of Handloom and textiles of the Assam government had also recently organized a two-day mega event titled "Celebrating Assam" at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati with an aim to promote the state's rich handloom, tourism and culture.
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The fair focused on giving a platform to local designers and popularize indigenous handloom designs.
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Self-help groups from across the state showcased a variety of hand-made products including colorful traditional attires, bags and household products.
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A photo-exhibition was also organized as a part of the event.
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"This effort is mainly to promote many sectors, especially handloom and textiles, skill development, cultural affairs, tourism of Assam, so that they all can come in one platform and promote Assam in a very positive way and generate interest specially in the youngsters and young entrepreneurs to give exposure of Assam in a global horizon," said Bikram Rai Medhi, Designer.
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"Through these expos, people from outside come to know about Assam's yarns and our products like eri, muga, pat and nunipat. They get to know that there are such good quality products in Assam and the demand increases," said Swarna Devi, Participant.
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The northeast region is famous for its weaving and handloom work, that needs to be preserved.
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Rural artisans do not often find market for their products and such events are highly important to generate awareness about the rich handloom products, besides providing a market for the crafts persons.
