NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY

Internship Project

On

“Design development for Art and Crafts

Producer Groups”

At

Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society

JEEViKA

Submitted by:

Aditi Verma

Textile Design

(2014-18)

NIFT, Patna

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to express my sincere thanks JEEViKA for the ample facilities made available in finishing this project.

I am highly indebted to Mr. Samir Kumar, Project manager, Non-Farm for his encouragement.

I owe deep gratitude to Aman kr. Choudhary and Nupur Kamal, YP, Non-Farm for providing me with the support and able guidance throughout the internship.

Content

1. Introduction………………………………………………….1

2. Shilpsangh…………………………………………………….2

3. Experience of the visit…………………………………...3

4. About the traditional designs and motifs………..4

5. Proposed designs and motifs…………………………5

6. Products……………………………………………………….9

7. Prakash utsav……………………………………………...18

8. Prakash utsav celebration in Patna………………20

9. Products……………………………………………………..22

10. Design of price tags………………………………..41

11. References…………………………………………….43

Introduction

The Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP) is an ambitious project of the Government of Bihar for the alleviation of poverty in the State. The objective of the project is to provide right & equal opportunities for livelihoods for rural community especially poor. Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society under overall framework of National Rural Livelihoods Mission to scale up the JEEViKA model of poverty alleviation through-out all 534 blocks of 38 district of Bihar in a phased manner. Over a period of 10 years, SRLM mandate is to mobilize 1.25crores rural HHs into 10Lakhs SHGs, 65000 VOs and 1600 CLFs. BRLPS through the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP) Aims to improve rural livelihood options and works towards social and economic empowerment of the rural poor and women. Development professionals working with BRLPS intervene with the community through the following four themes or programmes:

Institution and capacity building

Social development

Microfinance

Livelihoods BRLP is a marquee programme in development and has already earned recognition from various governments, Governmental/nongovernmental and other stakeholders for its path breaking initiatives. It provides a professional and challenging work environment to its associates. This is a good opportunity for experienced development professionals and aspiring youngsters to associate with one another for the development of rural India. BRLPS is mandated to implement SRLM in all blocks of Bihar and looking for professionals at various levels.

Shilpsangh

Shilpsangh is a Co-operative Society Ltd, comprising of skilled women artisans in traditional Mithila Painting. The organisation is located in the interior of village “Ranti” in Madhubani district of northern Bihar.

Shilpsangh was formed in 2009. It works as a change agent. It has a mission for skilled poor communities endowed with keenness for traditional Mithila Painting to enhance their income through better management practices and to develop ownership of business.

This was established under ‘JIYO’ project with ‘JEEViKA’ under partnership with ‘The Asian Heritage Foundation’. The idea behind this is to create innovative and creative products, which not only represent the rich heritage and culture but also affordable and cater to the requirements of ever increasing and further growing populace having preferences for art and craft, and demand of various office establishments.

Experience of visit

Experience of visiting Shilpsangh was good. The approach of Shilpsangh in providing sustainable livelihoods to the artisans (SHG members) is completely adorable.

Shilpsangh provide support to skilled artisans, to build their capacities.

JEEViKA provide marketing & trade facilitation. Through constant participation in fairs/exhibition, and executing commissioned projects, artisans undertake critical marketing & trade linkages to efficiently connect with the mainstream markets & private sector establishments.

The artisans work on varieties of products such as tasar silk and cotton sarees, traditional suit pieces, cushion covers, wallpapers and greeting cards.

The artisans of Shilpsangh work mostly on traditional product items which are now a day’s declining in demand in public sector. People are looking up for some contemporary product with traditional motifs and traditional surface ornamentations. Also, public are demanding for products that are better in quality as well as less costly. The products of Shilpsangh are heavily ornamented .i.e. the product need more labour hours which results in higher costing of products.

Now a days, screen printed synthetic products are more in demand because of their lower price range, better ornamentation. So, it is a bit difficult for products of Shilpsangh to compete with other similar products in market.

About the traditional designs and motifs

Indian economy is based primarily on agriculture. About 70% of our population lives in village, 1/3rd of our national income & 20% of state income comes from agriculture. The development of agriculture has much to do with economic welfare of our country.

The significance of agriculture is highly shown in Mithila Painting. It also portrays women as organiser & controller. It is a symbol of progressive community and empowerment of women.

Also designs and motifs of Mithila painting are inspired by Mother Nature. Each moment the field of the painting is overlaid with texture, patterns of leaves, chequers, lozenges & flowers. The painting is also composed of animals, birds, reptiles, mammals etc, as they lose themselves in foliage.

Another inspiration for Mithila Painting is ‘Ishwar’ .i.e. God. God is not just profoundly honoured but is also the concrete representation of friendship which is directly depicted with Shri Krishna lila with his ‘sakha’ or ‘sakhi’.

Aripana also considered as rangoli is also one of the motif used in Mithila Painting. It is a geometric pattern outlined on floor with rice-flour. It is once used as auspicious prodigy for sacred rituals. Now days, they are used to adorn writing desk or board.

The fishes are luscious and are painted with great affection. They are the symbol of fertility.

Kohbar ghar or honeymoon suite essentially meant for newlyweds. Mithila painting represents fertility through its motifs and figures.

Proposed designs and motifs

In proposed designs, certain elements are taken from Maithili Painting and placed over garment. Also motif is taken from the painting, and is set in repeat to form a new motif.

Some of the paintings are directly used on the garment without any disturbance, only placement variations are shown.

Not many but a few varieties of motifs have been used, placements have been altered over the garment and hence, in order to create varieties of designs.

Basically, the motifs and designs that I have used can be considered as contemporary motifs & designs.

Nowadays, market is demanding for the product with variation, better in quality and less in price. So, as per the demand of market the proposed product needs lees labour cost, better quality, variation in designs with less intricate motifs.

The designs created are something to look out for. The products are completely designed keeping in mind the demand of market, quality of product, labour cost and variations in designs.

Products

1. Kurti

2. Contemprory tops

3. T- shirt

4. Professional gift items

Prakash utsav

This festival's name, when translated, means the birth celebration of the 10th Divine Light, or Divine Knowledge. It commemorates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. The festival is one of the most widely celebrated events by Sikhs.

Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th Sikh Guru of Nanak. He was born at Patna, Bihar, India, on December 22, 1666. His birthday sometimes falls either in December or January or even both months in the Gregorian calendar. The annual celebration of the Guru's birthday is based on the Nanakshahi calendar.

Guru Gobind Singh was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who gave his life to protect religious freedom. He succeeded his father when he became a Guru at nine years of age. Guru Gobind Singh's teachings have a big impact on Sikhs. In his lifetime, he stood against the Mughal Rulers and fought against injustice. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh took five men from the lower caste of society and baptized them as his Five Beloveds, endowing them with great courage and a devotion to God. It was his dedication to God, his fearlessness and his desire to protect the people from being oppressed that led Guru Gobind Singh to establish the Khalsa, a military force of saint soldiers, which he baptized. Under Guru Gobind Singh's guidance and inspiration, the Khalsa followed a strict moral code and spiritual discipline. It was through his courage that the people rose against the oppression of the Mughal ruler in India at the time. Aside from being a spiritual and a military leader Guru Gobind Singh was also a gifted writer who penned a large body of literary work. Before his death in 1708, he declared the Guru Granth Sahib, which is Sikhism's Holy Scripture to be the permanent Sikh Guru.

It is common for large processions to go through markets in India on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti. People sing devotional songs during the procession and share sweets and a cold drink or a sharbat among the adults and children. There are also special prayer gatherings that are held at places of worship known as Gurudwaras. Historical lectures are conducted and poems recited as part of praising the Guru on his birthday. Special dishes that are unique to this occasion are prepared and served during the festivities.

Prakash utsav, celebration in Patna

Considering the 350th birth anniversary (Prakash Utsav) of Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj, Takhat Sri Patna Sahib is undergoing a considerable renovation work at a lightning fast pace. The gurudwara campus is being given a new glorious look and hundreds of sarai rooms are being constructed for the visitors who are expected to arrive in the mega event which is scheduled in January 2017. State as well as central governments wants to leave no stone unturned to make the celebration a huge success. In the recent budget finance minister Mr. Arun Jaitley has made a special provision to allocate a massive package of Rs. 100 Crore for the beautification of Patna Sahib. State government is pushing several development projects which are expected to complete before December 2016. Most of the old electricity wires and power transformers have been replaced with the new ones and remaining are being changed speedily. The construction of the over-bridge, which connects Guru Gobind Path with the National Highway, is almost done. The drainage system is being refurbished all around the city to maintain cleanliness. All major roads connecting Takhat harimandir Patna Sahib are being widened for a smooth traffic flow during the Prakash Utsav.

Takhat Prabhandak committee had sent a proposal of Rs. 1200 Crore for embellishment and maintenance work. Bhai Mohindar Singh of United Kingdom is bearing the cost of Guru Darbar renovation. Professional artists from all around the country are hired to embellish gold inlay work in the gurudwara campus which is expected to complete by the end of 2016. Several plots have already been acquired to accommodate the pilgrims and park the vehicles. The land of Chowk Police Station is proposed to be acquired for expansion of the road up to 80 feet which connects Takhat Harimandir to Kangan ghat gurudwara. The administration may use play-grounds located at Mangal Talab as a temporary arrangements of parking.

Prabhandak committee has been demanding holy city status for Patna City which is under consideration. It has also demanded an underground subway to connect Takhat Harimandir Patna Sahib with the nearby Kangat Ghat Sahib. Keeping the whopping number of expected visitors during the 350th birth anniversary, a Tent City has been proposed to be built in Gandhi Maidan, Patna. The grand pandal would be able to lodge approx. 20000 visitors at a time. Lacks of pilgrims are expected to arrive during the celebration in January 2017. The products are designed keeping in mind the demand of the visitors of Prakash utsav. The contemporary products are taken with the ornamentation of Maithili Painting. The products are hand bags, folders, women apparels, mobile covers, t-shirts, curtain, cushion covers, kitchen apron, diary pad, wallet and bed sheet. The products are completely according to the demand of market, quality of product, labour cost and variations in designs.

Products

1. Handbags

2. File folders

3. Mobile covers

4. Caps

5. T- shirt

6. Stole

7. Salwaar kameez

8. Kurti

9. Kitchen apron

10. Cushion covers

11. Pillow covers

12. Bed sheet set

13. Curtains

14. Professional gift items

Design of Price tags

References:

1. http://www.brlps.in

2. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Guru-

Gobind-Singh

3. http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/india/guru

-govind-singh-jayanti

4. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Pu

njab-chief-secy-to-meet-Bihar-officials-to-review-

preparations-of-Guru-Gobind-Singhs-birth-

anniv/articleshow/53025613.cms

5. http://article.wn.com/view/2016/06/08/14_cells_

to_work_for_Prakash_Utsav_arrangements

6. http://allevents.in/patna/prakash-utsav-of-sri-

guru-gobind-singh-ji

7. Times Of India, Kolkata, 4th July 2016

8. Times Of India, Patna, 2nd July 2016

9. Shilpsangh catalogue

10. JEEViKA initiatives