Local handicrafts speak of heritage

The decoration of Palki displayed at the exhibition is also a splendid piece of art.

Entitled Aboran, more than 150 exhibits are displayed in four categories, namely Kanthas--both antique and reproductions, Jamdani saree, Silk clothing and Ethnic Handicrafts. The antique items have a kantha, which is about 200 years old. There are objects that have come down through generations of artisans. Most of the items at the display, however, have been lent by collectors.

Earlier at a press briefing, Dr. Hameeda Hossain, member of the executive committee of (NCCB), discussed about the objective of the exhibition. She was accompanied by Chandra Shekhar Shaha, member of NCCB, M Saidur Rahman, an antique handicraft connoisseur, Tamara, Head of Design, Aarong, Kashef M Chowdhury and Marina, who planned the display layout.

Speakers emphasised on several aspects of handicraft industry in the country, which are mostly very frustrating. From history we come to know that exquisite sarees like Jamdani used to be exported during the Moghul Empire. Gradually the production of such elegant commodities has decreased. And now much of the rich heritage is confronted with possibility of extinction. The NCCB exhibition aims at creating awareness about the cultural aspects of the country, preserving and practising it.

Speakers pointed out that the exhibition, which is going on along with the WCCAP conference, has an important impact on NCCB, as it is for the first time in Bangladesh that the conference is taking place. They stressed on the necessity of simplifying the export procedures, supplying homemade quality raw materials like colour and threads that are now being imported and thus add to the production costing, improving the working tools. They also pointed at the lack of awareness among the exporters regarding the market.

The exhibition includes many beautiful artistic pieces of handiwork by our local people. The display is divided into several sections. The first section displays the antique kanthas, seating mats, bedcovers and other commodity items. A Paarer sujni kantha (bedcover with border) depicts the border in Bhorat phor (satin stitch) and the ripple in the middle in Lik phor. The piece was probably collected from Pabna. There is a Jainamaz (prayer mat) collected from Rangpur. The Jainamaz projects four borders in Kashmiri phor and a representation of a mosque.

An Aashon kantha, used to seat bride and groom at marriage ceremonies, of about 4' X 9' size is on the display. The kantha was collected from Magura and displays the myth of the four trees of life. The specialty of the kantha is that it was used to illustrate the verso page of our Constitution.

The Ethnic handicraft section should attract everyone's special attention. For it has some unique traditional items that have rich cultural genealogy. One such item is a long piece of cloth revealing several styles of stitches. The cloth is the 'catalogue' of the stitches that every girl has to present before marriage as a proof of her talent. Besides, there are two mind-blowing hand painted sarees. A few mills have participated in the exhibition with products made of jute. The jute bags, cushion covers, window curtains are undoubtedly elegant.

The exhibition along with the ongoing conference will surely contribute to increasing interest in our local handicraft among the average viewers. The government must also come forward with proper plans and initiatives in order to involve small private sector concerns in its activities. It has been pointed out that often the government has appointed officials with little or no knowledge about handicraft at BSCIC. Concerned authorities should pay more attention to the sector that has apparently been neglected so far.