Rajda Malik Begum has come a long way to participate at the Lokotsava 2018 at Darya Sangam on the banks of Mandovi in Panaji. But she’s not happy with the infrastructure and the administration of this popular yearly exhibition of folk art and performances as she lost the initial two days of the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, in getting approval for the venue of her stall.
Despite this, she expresses satisfaction over the response from the visitors and customers who are all too willing to pay her the price of her handcrafted, hand embroidered sarees and three-piece salwar suits. While both of these begin at Rs 750 the salwar suits go up to Rs1850 while the price of the sarees go up to Rs 1150.
Hailing from Kathgodam in Nainital district, Rajda Begum is the secretary of Alpasankhyak Evam Pichada Varg Vikas Samiti, an NGO run by women and for women living in the hill areas. “We have around 300 women attached to us. We provide them with the raw material “ cloth and thread “ and the design and patterns to be patch worked or embroidered on it. They get paid for their intricate and meticulous work. We hunt for market and participate through government exhibitions pan India to sell the ready product. It is a labour of love and a lot of time as well hard work is involved in making these products,” explains Rajda who has been participating in the Lokotsava in Goa for the past three years.
Organised by the government of Goa in collaboration with various other organisations, this annual event has around 600 craftsmen displaying handicrafts and another 500 folk artists from various states including Goa, performing folk dances and music throughout the event. Currently in it’s 19th edition, it’s popularity is only growing.
Punit Sing Rathod is a young MBA postgraduate from Bikaner and director at IAM (Indian Art Mission), an NGO from Rajasthan. Associated with Shanti Maitri Mission Sansthan, IAM is a newly formed group of young social entrepreneurs who are involved in various projects that offer job market to local farmers and artisans.
“IAM helps farmers in agricultural activities and produce good crop. We also offer them work depending upon their skills. We visit the homes of these artisans and provide them with hand woven cloth and thread. We also train them in different types of designs. They work from their homes and are paid depending upon the patterns they create. So far IAM has participated in three exhibitions “ in Jaipur, Chennai and Raibareili. Goa is our fourth state,” shares Rathod whose stall has readymade kurtis, mini purses, cushion covers, dupattas, skirts and gowns “ all in organic cotton and in affordable prices.
As one moves ahead quickly glancing at the colourful exhibits that surround this crowded place, many foreigners are seen purchasing expensive antique pieces of furniture and home décor with intricate carving and ‘meenakari’ work in wood and metal. “Most of my customers are foreigners who love our traditional artwork from Jodhpur,” states Kamlesh Sharma who has been coming to Lokotsav Goa for the past six years. Sharma also travels to Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and New Delhi with his artwork and admits that though these pieces look antique, all are newly created and given the antique look by his carpenters and ironsmiths at his workshop “ Jodhpur Handicrafts. With a starting price of Rs 300 these beautiful wall hangings, showpieces, home décor items, chairs and boxes can burn a hole in your pocket up to Rs 55,000.
Lamp shades, puppets and wall hangings from Andhra Pradesh which are made of goat skin also catch attention for their sheer beauty. These are beautifully hand painted with natural colours and when lit, glow radiantly. Jai Hanuman Group has put up their stall for the first time here and awaits for appreciation of these products that range from Rs 500-2500.
Akashi Deka’s silk and cotton sarees from Assam carry their own charm. The silks have Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga - each of which is known for its own speciality. The designs vary from Japi, Kolka, King Khap, Diamond and Kazhiranga animal weaves. She also displays Raper, a part of the tribal dress with Rabha design. The products range from Rs 2500-12,000.
Award winning artist from Gujarat, Arjun Devi Pujak has set up ‘Mharo Dwarakadesh’ stall with brightly coloured and hand crafted bed sheets, table cloths, sofa covers, table mats, wall hangings, bags, cushion covers and purses - all laced with thread, beads and mirror work. “I have come for the first time in Goa,” says Arjun. Hailing from the land of Gujarat, this talented artist lives in Delhi to train others under Khadi Gramodyog and Make in India projects. Accepting bulk orders he also makes corporate logos and mementos.
Shantilal Joshi, also a national award winning artist from Shahpura makes handmade Phad paintings with long lasting stone and vegetable colours.
“This is a traditional family art for us and many of my family members are state, national and international award winning artists. We only work on orders, single or bulk and each of our artwork is unique and customised,” briefs Joshi.
The Kantha work from Hugli in Kolkata adorns the stall of Shaikh Saddam Hussain who displays sarees, dupattas and salwar tops in cotton and silk. His enterprise, Raj Handicrafts, has bed sheets, pillow covers and table cloths too - all in handmade cotton.
Rakesh Vishwakarma from Bhopal has toys made of Dudh Sundari wood which is soft and white. Apart from these there are plenty of other stalls selling a wide array of goods. Various arts like cloth dying and block print are exhibited too.
In the evenings, there are performances from different states including school children from Goa who have put up performances like Dashavatar-Akhyan, Sankasur Kaala, Perni Jagor and Khell-tiatr.
