Talented craftsmen and artisans pass on their skills from one generation to another, orally and in a guru-shishya parampara. Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar recently said that universities which offer specialised degrees to artisans, craftsmen and labourers will soon be set up in the country. While their art is much loved, the artisan community doesn’t receive the much deserved respect. The younger generation isn’t keen on pursuing traditional crafts, therefore many fascinating arts of the country are on the verge of extinction.
Shadab Mirza, 28, has learned woodwork from his father. The legacy has been carried forward for many generations. But Shadab fears that he might be the last person in the family to take it up as a profession. “I might be making good money, but there is still no respect for craftsmen in the country,” he says. “I would want my kids to be respected and get good education,” he adds. “But at the same time I am worried that my art might die with me if my kids don’t learn it,” he sighs.
How can these guardians of the wealth of heritage be made proud of their work? “Craftsmen, artisans and labourers don’t have degrees, hence they find it hard to progress. Also, there are no books for imparting training on these skills. That is why a separate, specialised university for them — an institution where these skills are taught by master craftsmen and artists and the students are conferred diplomas, or graduate and post-graduate degrees and doctorates — will be a good step,” said Meira.
But how will education beyond ‘reading and writing’ help artisans like Shadab? Fashion designer Madhu Jain, who has been working closely with craftsmen, dismisses the idea. “This is more of a theoretical idea than a practical one,” she says. “A proper survey needs to be conducted to access the needs of a community. You have to go to every region to access their traditional skill base,” she says. Madhu insists that the govt should look at models like Rural Advance Committee experimental programme conducted in Bangladesh, where the entire workforce of thousands of artisans was chanellised to create livelihood options.
The National Institute of Design (NSD) and Indian Institute of Craft and Design are already working for artisans, craftsmen and skilled labour in the country.
Crafts activist Jaya Jaitley also says that the idea of setting up a university sounds good on paper, but may be tough to implement. “Rather than ideating on the terms of setting up a university, why not create more such spaces in NID and IICD,” she recommends.
Even the National Council Of Educational Research And Training (NCERT) is planning a course, “Craft Heritage of India” at the 10+2 level, but the syllabus is yet to be framed. “It’s a task to find teachers and syllabus even in school. It’s not going to be easy at a higher level,” adds Jaya, who’s also associated with the NCERT venture.
However, designers Muzaffar Ali and Samant Chauhan sound upbeat about the venture. “The idea, if pursued by encouraging the participation of various layers of society, will return the lost glory to the crafts of India,” says Muzaffar Ali of Kotwara.
Known for his Bhagalpuri silks, Samant is keen on setting up a fabric library in Bhagalpur. “We must go to any length to save the dying arts and crafts of the country,” he adds.