Porbander’s artisans bringing laurels to country with bamboo ships in bottle
April 22nd, 2007 Category Craft, HandicraftA group of artisans in Gujarat have earned name and fame for the handicraft novelties made of bamboo.
These bamboo artisans make intricately designed bamboo handicraft items like photo frames, miniature ships, wall hangings and chariots.
The bamboo is split into thin strips which are later coloured and used with other decorative material to craft beautiful items.
The group’s most liked creations are the ones that showcase little bamboo ships put inside glass bottles.
This handicraft unit started with Anthony Joseph, an artisan from Porbander, who mastered the special art of making decorative items from bamboo. He was earlier employed with a Mumbai film Studio where he learnt how to place various things into bottles.
Later, he decided to settle down at his native place, Porbander and started it all as a venture.
He created various types of small ships of bamboo sticks and placed them inside bottles. With the passage of time, his special skill tuned it popular.
The intricacies involved in creating a ship take about four to five days to prepare one model. The price range of various shaped ships and other models may vary from rupees 100 to 5,000..oday, Antony’s works along with his 28-year-old son Verghese Joseph. Both are now well known in Porbander.
Impressed with the special bamboo art form, the State government facilitated their trips to countries like Germany and Russia. The artists claim to have been appreciated by the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Central government.
Verghese, the son believes that their work has the potential to generate employment on high scale without much investment.
“Anyone can learn this art. It can also earn 200 rupees per day. The demand remains high but it is difficult to meet it, as it involves hand work which leads to a limited number of products,” said Verghese.
Anthony believes that there is no secret in this work of art and he has opened the classes where women can come and learn the art as well. Presently, about 50 women are learning the art and they also earning.
The handicraft venture has also given employment to as many as fifty household women.
According to Vijayaben, who has been working here for the last five years, says: ” I have learnt a lot here. I can manage the work by myself and make many types of pieces. The work has helped me stand on my feet.
“Not only I have managed to learn the special bamboo art but also I manage to study well as the money I get form the work I do here. It has helped me a lot to study,” said Shanti, a college student and trainee.
Today, Antony and his son can make 50 types of ships which also has light system fixed in it. They also make unique photo frames, carts and other models of the monuments.
The specially prepared bamboo items are bought by a lot of tourists from different parts of the world.
“I have been to many places and I have seen many good items made from plastics but I have never seen the work like this. I immediately purchased a bottle with a beautiful bamboo ship inside,” said Raphyque, a tourist.
Information from: ANI via in.news.yahoo.com
