BHOPAL, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is fast developing as an art and cultural hub in central India, thanks to the international institute ‘Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya’ i.e. ‘The Indira Gandhi National Museum of Man’. The museum’s efforts in reviving the traditional handicraft and culture have mostly been concentrated on the northeastern region of India. It recently organized a ten-day workshop of lady handicraft weavers of Northeast India and people of Bhopal thronged the venue in their eagerness to observe the region’s creative designs and see the weavers actually performing and exhibiting their skills and wares.

The workshop named ‘Shilpayan-3’ was inaugurated by noted classical singer Umakant Gundecha on August 21 with weavers from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura listening in rapt attention to the inaugural address given by him. Apart from the participants of workshop, the elite and tourists visiting Bhopal too attended the inaugural function, with the auditorium of Manav Sangrahalaya packed to its full capacity.

The workshop also aimed at the giving the local weavers and fashion designers an opportunity to study and learn the methods of the colourful designs and motifs on fabrics weaved and used in Northeast India. The workshop also offered a market exposure to the fabrics of the region.

The urge to learn the creative handicraft and techniques for employing them in fashion designing was so intense that Madhya Pradesh’s leading fashion designing institute Dhairya Prabha Devi Sojatia College of Indore sent a team of five students under the guidance of faculty member Vijeta Bhatore to avail of this opportunity to learn the traditional designs of Northeast India. Vikas Bhatt, the director of the Manav Sangrahalaya utilised the students’ enthusiasm and strength for documentation of methods and works of the weavers of Northeast India.

From the very first day the lady weavers set up their looms and gadgets in different halls of the Manav Sangrahalaya allotted to different states and started weaving with zest and dexterity. With each stroke of their gadget of different types used in their states, the colourful patterns started taking forms on the loom and viewers flocked to appreciate seeing them being created.

In all, there were 48 participants from the six participating states. Assam was represented by Bodo, Mising, Karbi, Deori, Hajong and Rabha weavers. Nagaland was represented by Chakhesang and Rengma tribes, Arunachal Pradesh by Nyishi and Galo tribes and Meghalaya by Khasi and Garo tribes. Manipur was represented by Khom, Maring, Mao, Meitei and Cheru tribes, while Koloi, Tripuri and Ripugni tribes represented the Tripura team. The local people of Bhopal were so impressed by the fabrics that they bought many items directly from the weavers. The Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal also bought about 250 items from the weavers for using them as exhibits. Thus the weavers were successful in finding a market in the central India and made some business deals too.

The Assam team being the largest was the apple of everyone’s eye as people were inquisitive about their techniques and fabrics. Among the Assamese weavers Jyoti Verma of Majuli, weaving men’s scarf and Mebonk dresses, and Chayanika Khakhalary of Bodo tribe from Goalpara town, weaving lower clothes for men, drew huge crowd. Similarly, Mitali of Mising tribe from the Majuli, who made Garo and Tongal clothing, also attracted attention of the visitors. Niranjay Sangma from Shillong, Meghalaya had brought five Khasi weavers who prepared dress used in Wangala dance. The Tripura team was also devoted to their craftsmanship.

The workshop ended on August 30 when all the weavers brought down and packed their wares. In the evening, there was a campfire with all the artisans turning into artistes to give various cultural performances of their states. Bharati and Prabhati of Hajong tribe of Assam gave exciting dance performances in their colourful costumes, while Jyoti Verma sang to the beats of dhol and flute which increased the heartbeats of the audience. Manav Sangrahalaya director Vikas Bhatt also participated with all enthusiasm and fervour to the beats of Assamese dhol and encouraged the workshop participants to shed their ten-day toil and tiredness.

Tej Narayan