Artisans carve new image for northeast

Artisans from northeast are showcasing new colours at Bangalore.

Bangalore: "We have come from a distant land, from far-off northeastern India. Hopefully you`ll like our indigenous artefacts." That was what artisans from northeast India say as they welcome hordes of visitors to an exhibition here. Along with wooing art connoisseurs of Bangalore with their beautiful indigenous handloom and handicrafts, the artisans are interacting with visitors and "enlightening and demystifying" various aspects about the northeastern region of the country.

"We`re not only about militancy and violence. The northeast region has its unique art and culture. Ours is a very vibrant region and our handloom and handicraft heritage is a testimony to it," Yanger Ao, 47-year-old tribal craftsman from Mokokchung, 162 km from Kohima, the capital town of Nagaland, told reporters on the sidelines of the fair. "A lot of misconceptions prevails across India about the northeast. Now, it is time to enlighten people about us and demystify the myths about the region and its people. Hopefully, through our varied and strong lineage of art works, we`ll be able to make some fans for the region in Bangalore," smiled Ao, who has brought intricately made wooden furniture. The exhibition-cum-sale of artworks has been organised by North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited. The exhibition under way at the campus of the Ganapathi Seva Samiti started July 15 and will be on till Aug 2. "Along with selling and popularising highly artistic indigenous hand works of the region, artisans are also interacting with visitors and informing them about the land and its people," said an official of the corporation. "The rarity and beauty of the art works of northeastern India is unparalleled, but due to lack of exposure, artisans are not making much profit. Along with giving the artisans a first-hand exposure of various places in India, we are also trying to popularise handicrafts of the region," added the official, who did not wish to be named. The exhibition features artisans from the seven sister states -- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Some of the items that are selling well at the fair are hand-crafted baskets, mats, chairs, tables, lamps, furniture, jewellery, accessories and apparel. The prominent components of the craft works are cane or bamboo. "Northeastern India has a strong handloom and handicraft heritage. The livelihood of a large number of people is dependent on traditional handicraft heritage of the region," said Manipuri artisan Tobnam Singh, who has been captivating art lovers with his decorative handmade flowers. The flowers are made of palm leaves, shola wood, coral leaves, hollbell flower or other natural ingredients. "Through our art works we want to tell the rest of India, please don`t think of the northeast as a land of violence and terrorists. We have a great culture, tradition, land and people. Here, while meeting so many people, we are also telling people about the real northeast," added Singh. "Everyday violence is a truth about the northeast. Around 42 militant groups operate in the region. But the general population of the region opposes such mindless violence. We want peace and prosperity of the region. Artisans are together working for the cause," said Sharmila Sharma, who is selling jute- based products in her stall. Visitors to the fair could not stop praising the artisans. "The bamboo-based works, mostly baskets and decorative pieces, are highly artistic. Looking at the variety and creativity of the artisans, the northeastern region looks to be a colourful and vibrant land," said Shiva Kumar Ganapathy, a student of fashion designing. "I have never seen such designs and craftworks. Northeast artisans are highly artistic and create magic in wood and bamboo," said Deepika Pandey, a bank executive, while appreciating a Naga storage urn. IANS