Women encouraged to indulge in arts and crafts

The initiative of Minasakshi Art and Crafts Welfare Society, an NGO in the city that is dedicated towards encouraging women to become self-reliant has paid off. The number of women who are enrolling in the courses, supported by Pidilite Industries is ever increasing. A set of new courses are added to the curriculum of the crafts, to ensure that women are familiar with contemporary and modern crafts.

Women who have been awarded with the concerned certificates are eligible to nail jobs as craft and art teachers in schools and other training institutions. They can not only teach their craft to others but also make a living out of it. Refresher training for the enrolled candidates will be held twice in a year where they are introduced to crafts that are famous in other part of the country.

Minaakshi, who is Chairperson of the NGO and an expert teacher at Pidilite Industries says “We are encouraging women to learn these crafts with passion. Without interest in works of art, one cannot excel at art and come out with creative ideas. We ask the participants to bring their own material and guide them with theior available resources, which is the first step in training.

We believe that they should be able to pick out things based on their budget, creativity and need. This is a step where they also learn to categorise the pricing of the product. After they procure the materials, we provide an insight into how that can be used. Their works are further submitted for judgement and awarded certificates.”

Madhubani art, Alpana, Silhoutte painting, free hand painting, table mat one stroke, foam based jewellery, shilpkar and Nippon work, arigoni stencils and craft, liquid embroidery, zentangle works, stroke works, blade technique flowers, block prints, grape shadings, patch work, kalamkari, line works, tie and dye and interior decoration are a few subjects in the crafts that the women get trained in.

Expert Teacher KB Indira who visited the workshop to judge the presentation said, “The main reason behind the idea is to increase the utilisation of crafts and art for a living. Since there are no boundaries to the subject, we make sure that the women are provided with an opportunity within their potential to bring out their talent.

The crafts are also taught depending on their creativity and ability. They meet once in a while and share their ideas of work. Many fashion stores, jute manufacturing units in the city utilise the services of these women, which is another boost to them,” she added.