Handicrafts

Art, Craft, Dance and Music are an integral part of life and traditions in Jharkhand. A large part of the tribal and non-tribal population depends on handicrafts, to make a livelihood.

They use natural resources from the villages. Designs are created from what they see. Their livelihood, recreation, rituals and ceremonies, all reflect their skills, used in these wonderful hand crafted creations.

Artisans are mobilized in their own villages. Programme for Capacity Building with training of Skill Development and upgradation of Technologies to Design Development and finally a Common Facility Centre, producing hundreds of crafts by traditional artisans was launched by Kalamandir 11 years ago.

Biponi a unique initiative of Kalamandir was started in the year 2001. Sri Arjun Munda (then Welfare Minister) inaugurated this small shop to promote craft traditions of Jharkhand. With the support of NABARD, Department of Industry, Welfare, Rural Development, NAEB it is now a full fledged commercial hub.

Now to develop their marketing skills, the Self Help Group of artisans have been brought under one umbrella of a Federation. Artisans design, make and sell their own product from their own address in the heart of Jamshedpur, a premise provided by the TATA STEEL.

Situated in 8,10-N Road Bistupur, Jamshedpur and known as Biponi has now got a complete change over, with support of NABARD.

Please step in to enjoy the flavours and colours of Jharkhand.

• To revive the old craft practices in their rich and vivid character and exhibit in a permanent display.
• To recreate and develop newer and trendier designs to keep in pace with the market.
• To procure, exhibit and sell handicrafts in varied forms and expressions produced and marketed by members of Self Help Groups, Swabalambi Co-operative Societies and Joint Forest Management Committees in rural Jharkhand.
• Provide an opportunity to the city based buyers to reach the artisans at their door step and to create an opportunity to be in harmony with country dwellers -to break the Rural Urban Divide.
• To integrate artisan community through bonds of solidarity established through women thrift.
• To add to the participatory strength of the artisans and enhance their status from mere producers to designers and master trainers.
• To facilitate increase the income of crafts persons eventually.
• To motivate and support the rural artisans, so that they achieve sustainable livelihood through sale of products.
• To extend support through a Participatory Approach for
  
  1. Capacity Building
  2. Empowering women (Tribal & S.C.)
  3. Nurture both Artists and Artisans for alternative employment
• To function as a Resource Centre, to document and disseminate information regarding Tribal culture, ethics and rituals.
• To encourage Village Tourism by creating an ambience so enticing, such as Live Display of Dance Shows, Slides & Presentations, Films and Demonstrations.
  BIPONI with a new look, has received a remarkable response from the public. Some of the glaring accomplishments that need mention are:
  
  • Numbers of visitors are more
  • Sale is increasing
  • The exhibits find comfortable space for display
• The members of SHGs are picking up traits to manage the counter.
• They are learning the art of packaging bulk material as well as gift packs.
• The Mart is being used for the demonstration of new products from the training centres being run by us in 29 odd villages.