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Highlights of #HandmadeDilSe Telethon: An Initiative To Support India's Weavers and Artisans
Handmade Dil Se is Habba's attempt to bring back the demand for handmade in India and revive the livelihoods of artisans and weavers. Habba has curated surprise hampers from across India for you. The art hampers feature carefully curated art forms across Textiles (handwoven, and hand embroidered), Wooden, Metal, Earthy and Hand Painted handicrafts from across India. You can choose the art forms you want to support and buy these exquisite surprise hampers for yourself and your loved ones.
Here are the Highlights of the #HandmadeDilSe Telethon:
Gita Ram, Chairperson, The Craft Council of India on #HandmadeDilSe telethon:
Artsians have always been dependent on bazaars and haat to sell their art. Pandemic started in April and lot of them sat ideal. Some got work and did amazing paintings. But it has been very bad. When we offered to help their business back with our funds, they didn't want it. They said, 'do something about our stock sitting with us.'
We have to do something about marketing. Bazaars are not going to happen otherwise. Volunteers have come forward, helping artisans photograph their products, create e-catalogues, helping them connect to e-commerce. A lot of it is working. It hasn't been easy as not every artisan has smartphone. It will take time. We are all surging ahead. Habba initiative has brought a silver lining to heavy clouds. As we were preparing hampers for Habba, we had to reach out to artisans for more products, they were thrilled.
It is about marketing. For handlooms, railways can start using handloom. Schools and colleges can say wear handloom once a month. Offices in Odisha wear handloom every Friday. Initiatives like these have to come. With craft it is little more difficult. Crafts were part of our daily life earlier. We are trying to bring it back. We are working with artisans to bring product that fits our contemporary lifestyle.
Banno started working with Habba in 2001, she supports her two young children, in-laws and her own old parents with her earnings.
Gora walks on her hands, she does not have legs. She is part of the production team and is one of the top earners.
Gyarsi comes from a small village and was struck with Polio as a child. She has been working with Habba since the last five years.
Kamala Bamne is one of the best producers and is recognised as a leader amongst the producers of Neemkheda Bhawan.
Naseem Bi has been a producer with Kumbaya for over 5 years now. She dreams of providing the best education for her children.
Urmila Kochle has been working with Habba for 15 years. She has gained strength and courage through her work.
The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have caused havoc in the lives of rural artisans and weavers. With no orders, and massive stockpiles of inventory, their livelihoods have come to a standstill. Many in fact, have turned to manual labour to sustain themselves and their families. Our artisans and weavers do not need handouts. They need work and orders for them to continue their craft. This festive season, we invite you to stand in solidarity of our artisans and weavers by buying handmade in India.