Thaindian News

Shimla, Oct 30 (IANS) To protect and revive the decades old, globally acclaimed dying art forms of the erstwhile princely hill state of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh is training and improving the skills of artisans, an official said here Sunday.

“Under a central government scheme, programmes have started in Chamba town to train new artisans and upgrade the skills of others,” Himachal Handicraft and Handloom Corp managing director Lalit Mohan told IANS.

He said the special training is being given in the art of embroidery on the Chamba rumal (handkerchief) and Chamba school of miniature paintings, metal artefacts and leather products, mainly Chamba chappals (slippers).

The art of embroidery on the Chamba rumal originated and flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries where the Chamba school of miniature paintings got royal patronage.

Mohan said the handloom corporation is also implementing three major projects sanctioned by the government of India.

These are Kullu handloom cluster, Gohar (Mandi) handloom cluster and Rekong Peo handloom cluster.

The hill state is also known for hand-knitted woollens like shawls, stoles, mufflers, socks, gloves, pullovers, caps and carpets, Kangra paintings and jewellery items.

The Kullu and Kinnauri shawls, with intricate borders in bright colours, are made on traditional looms by tribals and are sold all over India and abroad.

“We are also extending pre-loom, loom and post-loom facilities to the weavers through 15 production centres,” he added.

The demand for handicrafts and artefacts of the hill state is quite high among foreigners.

The handloom corporation is operating 15 sales outlets, including one each in Bangalore and Delhi.

One can also place orders for the products through e-shopping.

The state government has got the Chamba handkerchief, the Kullu and Kinnauri shawls and Kangra tea registered under the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, by the Chennai-based Geographical Indications Registry.

The GI registration is a community patent in which instead of an individual, the entire community of artisans, producers and other stakeholders of a particular area are benefited.

The income of the handloom corporation has increased from Rs.2.73 crore to Rs.6.53 crore by holding exhibitions during the past three years.

It recently participated in exhibitions in Birmingham in Britain and in Budapest in Hungary.