Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Monday awarded 30 Shilp Guru Awards and 78 National Awards for the year 2017, 2018 and 2019 to master craftspersons, 36 of whom are women.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Vice President said that our handicrafts are our living heritage and appealed to all consumers of handicraft to appreciate local and be vocal about it.
Promotion, Marketing and Branding of Indian Handicraft needed
Stressing the need to promote organised marketing and branding of Indian handicraft products, he said that interior designers must focus on this rich mine.
Addressing a gathering after presenting Shilp Guru and National Awards (2017, 2018, 2019) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today, the Vice President said that the unique talent of our master craftsmen is representative of Bharat.
“With your subtle workmanship, you embellish and enrich India’s cultural diversity. You represent India’s rich tradition of skills and craftsmanship,” he told the Shilp Gurus present.
Craftsmen as Ambassadors of our Culture
Shri Dhankhar described Indian craftsmen as the impactful ambassadors of our culture and creativity and said that by honouring them, the nation is honouring those generations of unknown skilled craftsmen, who have left behind such a rich legacy.
Observing that it takes generations of training to master these skills, the Vice President said that on account of their creativity, skills and the hard work, India’s handicraft is the most sought after in the world.
“You represent India’s creative tradition, you carry India’s Intangible heritage of craftsmanship,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of the handicraft sector in the Indian economy, Shri Dhankhar said it employs more than seven million people, a vast segment of which is the craftspeople in rural & semi-urban areas.
He expressed happiness that the handicraft industry in India is dominated by female artisans who form over 56% of the total artisans.
The Vice President praised the initiatives by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts and the Union Textile Ministry in ensuring welfare and wellbeing of the Indian artisans.
What are Shilp Guru Awards?
The Shilp Guru Awards are given to legendary master craftspersons in recognition of excellent craftsmanship, product excellence and the role played by them as gurus in the continuance of crafts to other trainee artisans as a vital part of traditional heritage.
The main objective of the awards is to give recognition for their excellence in craftsmanship and valuable contribution to Indian Handicrafts and textiles sector.
The Awards were started in 2002, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the resurgence of Handicrafts in India.
The Award consists of a gold coin, Rs.2.00 lakhs prize money, a Tamrapatra, a shawl and a certificate.
30 Shilp Gurus have been selected for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 out of whom 24 are male and 06 are female.
What are National Awards for outstanding Craftsmanship?
The National Awards are being awarded since 1965 for outstanding craftsmanship in different craft categories.
The main crafts for which the Awards have been given are
- Metal Engraving,
- Chikan Hand Embroidery, North India
- Khurja Blue Pottery, Uttar Pradesh
- Mata Ni Pachedi, Gujarat
- Kalamkari, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- Bandhani, Rajasthan
- Tie & Dye, Rajasthan
- Hand Block Bagh Print, Madhya Pradesh
- Warli Art, Maharashtra
- Stone Dust Painting, Goa and Karnataka
- Sozni Hand Embroidery, Bihar
- Terracotta, Rajasthan, WB, TN
- Tanjore Painting, Tamil Nadu
- Sholapith, West Bengal
- Kantha Hand Embroidery, West Bengal
- Palm leaf Engraving, Odisha
- Brass wire inlay on wood, Uttar Pradesh
- Wood Tarkashi, Rajasthan
- Madhubani Painting, Bihar
- Gold Leaf Painting, Mysore Karnataka
- Straw craft etc.
The Award consists of Rs.1.00 lakh prize money, a Tamrapatra, a Shawl and a certificate.
78 craftspersons have been selected for the National Awards for the year 2017, 2018 and 2019 including 02 design innovation awards where a designer and artisan collaborate to create a unique product.