The Hindu Business Line : Federal fair

The Fourth International Conference on Federalism, held in New Delhi from November 5-7, was based on the theme ‘Unity in diversity: learning from each other.’

As delegates put forward their views on federalism or balancing central and regional interests, India’s offering was Sanjha Safar, an outreach festival of handicrafts, performing arts and food fair to reflect our diversity, co nnectivity and empowerment. Organised by the Asian Heritage Foundation, the fair attempted to celebrate our diverse yet coherent spirit.

One of the organisers said, “A fair of this scale and diversity will prove to the delegates the intrinsic federal nature of India.” If you expected just another craft mela, this one was a pleasant surprise. Not always do you find such variety in products and material at one place.

From the grassroots

There were grassroot-level organisations like Bunker Roy’s Barefoot College, Tilonia, which has kept its products and prices consistently irresistible. Badrilal, who has been with Barefoot College for the past 15 years studied at the night school and has travelled across India and even to Germany. Today, he has the expertise to speak about the craft that he puts up for sale with professional confidence.

It was also interesting to meet participants from Sure (Society to Uplift Rural Economy) from Barmer. Rewant Singh, a supervisor with Sure, made a suitable representative in his bright red traditional outfit, discussing with panache his email identity and the Thar Parkar cow, revived by educationist Padmashri Magraj Jain who started Sure.

Shiv Kumari adeptly demonstrates grass crafts as she explains the raison d’etre of Sandhi Craft Foundation. It aims to “adapt traditional crafts to modern demands, even while it fights the craft being commoditised and undervalued.”

When we ask for glass covers, she replies, “Do you mean coasters?” Her house in Bhadohi hums with the excitement of about 200 creative women. Grass craft is intrinsic to the region, she says, but where organisations can make a difference is in standardising parameters that make the customers more comfortable with handmade products. “Earlier, the colours and sizing were not professional,” she says.

The rare and new

Off-beat talent such as the red and black hand-embroidered products of the Toda tribe; terracotta products and murals from Kerala were also exhibited.

There were new materials too. Delhi-based Conserve with its recycled plastic bags had buyers guessing what the products were made of.

And there were apex bodies such as Craftmark, formally launched in 2004, which aims to “try and professionalise and standardise the way the craft sector is functioning.” Their exhibits, not for sale, showed a refreshing approach to product design even as they tried to convince the various crafts groups to standardise benchmarks.

The organic food movement was suitably represented by Navdanya while Earthy Good Pvt Ltd brought forward a wide range of spices, seasoning, candles, soaps and body oils. Navdanya also curated the maha bhoj trussed up by dozens of stalls with food from every part of the country.

Musicians and dancers from all over India brought new life to the discussions and presentations through the day. While Bauls sang soulfully of life and love, the 22 Dangi dancers from Gujarat set the stage afire with their callisthenics.

Lacked publicity

In spite of such a rich harvest, there was little publicity resulting in disappointing attendance. Most of the stalls complained of dull sales. For instance, on the last day, KB Jinan of Kumbham Murals was looking desparately for space to park his large consignment of unsold products, since it would have been expensive to cart back fragile terracotta all the way to Kerala.

In spite of major players like Dastkari Haat Samiti and the United Nations, it was surprising that this fair lacked adequate publicity. The five-day fest began on the afternoon of the second day! And no trouble was taken to make the venue a little more pleasant for participants and visitors: the ground was not even levelled. Already facing tremendous odds against cheap, mass manufactured goods, India’s talented and committed crafts sector can do without such organisational apathy.