Pic: Vincent Braganza
In the mood to celebrate the Indian in you? Looking to add some traditional Indian charm to your abode but fed up of the same old stuff you get in the market? Wish that you could get your hands on some rare works, straight from the hands of the local artisans from different parts of the country? Well, cheer up, because that is exactly what Cheerkart is all about.
With art forms like Warli and Tanjavur paintings ,dokhra and paper mache art, bamboo art, handmade paintings on canvas with oil, Rajasthani Shillpa Kalas, silk paintings, sculpture etc Cheerkart is sure to satisfy your craving for a little Indian touch and feel to your space, attire and jewellery.
“I have always been fond of art and craft and long since wanted to do something in this field. However I didn't have the opportunity to do this as I had to focus on my career path,” says Madhumita Arolker, the brains behind this unique shopping site, who previously worked in the corporate sector in Mumbai. It was only after she shifted to Goa, that Arolker started seriously focusing on pursuing the idea of this online portal.
Setting up,however was quite a challenge, because she was venturing into an entirely new area but, it was her deep passion to see this through that enables her to overcome all the hurdles, she states. And Cheerkart finally came into being about a year and half ago.
“The basic idea is to be the one stop location for all Indian traditional arts and handicrafts. It is also a platform for local artisans who are not familiar or comfortable with putting up their wares by themselves to get it out there,” she says. “The rural handicraft sector is still highly disorganised and ours is a sort of movement to connect the dots while exploring the opportunities.”
A major highlight about this site is that you can also get customised options. “Our focus is not only on retail sales but also in catering to various corporate requirements. We also supply to some reputed architects and interior designers. But our USP is that in addition to getting what you see on the shelf, you also ge what's on your mind because we handcraft your concept to reality,” she says. In fact, it is this factor that sets them apart from the rest of their contemporaries, believes Arolker.
Arolker also states that at the same time she hopes to create awareness about the traditonal arts through the site by providing information about the product so that they know what they are buying.
“We in India know very little about all the different art forms that exist in the country. In fact believe it or not not many people outside Goa are aware about coconut craft,” she says.
And the company a lot of times, personally visits artisans in different parts of the country to try and get them on board. “ Recently I was in West Bengal to look at some sculptures and what I observed was that while machine made items of this sort may look more perfect, these tradionally made ones have a rustic charm and feel to it apart from a certain unique finness. Many of them aren't very well educated but the skills of these artisans are commendable ,” she says.
At present the company has about 30-40 sellers on board and 20-30 artisans, of which 5-6 of them are from Goa. Customers can choose from a range of almost 3000 products and counting. And Arolker is always looking for ways to increase the reach of these products.
“We want to connect with all handicraft associations or any person who is involved in any way with these Indian art forms,” she says. “At the same time the government needs to support these organisations by way of exemptions and funding to help revive these Indian art forms.”
