Since 2013, Government of West
Bengal’s Department of Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises & Textiles took the
initiative of setting up 10 Rural Craft Hubs in West Bengal with the vision of
unleashing the potential of the handicraft sector for socio-economic
development in the state. 10 Rural Craft Hubs were developed across the state
which led to substantial improvement of the targeted outcomes. But, more
importantly it led to holistic development and overall happiness amongst the
targeted communities.
In 2016, armed with new business
linkages, confidence, the traditional artist communities from the Rural Craft
Hubs of Sitalpati in Ghughumari, Cooch Behar, Wooden Mask in Kushmandi, Dakshin
Dinajpur, Wooden Doll in Natungram, Bardhaman, Dokra in Dariyapur, Bardhaman
and Bikna, Bankura and Patachitra in Pingla, Paschim Medinipur. These Folk Art
Centres have been built with the support West Bengal Khadi & Village
Industries Board on land provided by the community which are now owned and
managed by the artists’ collectives. These centers are envisioned as a
multipurpose building which on one hand work as a common workspace for the community
which doubles up as a space that for display of their artifacts. These are a comprehensive
selection of artifacts and vivid information about the origin and evolution of
the tradition.
With the arts flourishing, the
regions are emerging as destinations of touristic interest. The Folk Art
Centers have accommodation facilities for the visitors to stay at a modest
price payable to the community. These allow the visitors to be amongst the
community and enjoy their traditions in the context of their lifestyle, as the
truly living heritages that they are. Guests can appreciate the display along
with documentaries on the craft and their making process or spend time browsing
through the literature.
These Folk Art Centres may in
near future demonstrate best practices for community museums compelling the
world to sit up and take notice. For the already happy communities with
rejuvenated pride in their own traditions, this will give them further more
reasons to rejoice and be proud.
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