THE SHILPGRAM (ARITSANS' PAVILION) AT INDIA STONEMART 2003

A major attraction at the India Stonemart 2003 was the Shilpgram. A joint effort with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the concept and the structure has been set up by CDOS with design & logistic support from a Rajasthan Govt promoted body, the Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD). Shilpgram seeks to provide artisans with a platform where they can interact directly with buyers from India as well as overseas.

Working towards this direction, artisans from all over India have being given free space and lodging for the event and are being provided all assistance possible in their interaction with the buyers. The artisans are allowed to exhibit their skills at their booths, spread around a rural setting. Skills honed over generations are on display at the Shilpgram.

``We are showcasing our skills in stone sculpture,'' says Nilkamal Sompura, who is here all the way from Ambaji in Gujarat. Renown for their sculpting expertise in stones ranging from marble to slate; the Sompuras have found the Shilpgram to be an effective forum. ``This has been an excellent platform for exchanging ideas and learning about other artisan skills,'' says Sompura.

A.     Rajasekaran, who holds a BSc Sculpture and now runs his own studio where he teaches sculpture skills, is here from Karnataka. ``I've also won state

B.      in sculpture,'' says Rajasekeran, for whom coming here has been a lesson in the art of sculpting marble. Besides, it's the exposure here, which has been invaluable for him. The same has been experienced by A Kuppuswamy Silpi from Tamil Nadu, who is displaying his soapstone sculptures and for L K Sharma and Sameer Sharma from Samir Textiles, who are showcasing their handicrafts (wood, iron, stone, jute etc) at Shilpgram. ``For me, this is a `window' where I can demonstrate the versatility of marble sculptures,'' says Award - winning sculptor Ankit Patel from Jaipur.

Others, like Dileep Trading Corporation from Jaipur, are already progressive artisans and feel that they stand to gain a lot from such events like the Shilpgram. ``It is a very good step in bring the buyer and seller closer and allows better understanding of each others perceptions,'' was the general feeling.

Also at the Exhibition to promote Rural Artisans is the stall of The Sandstone Artisans Association, which is being promoted by Rural Non Farm Development Agency (RUDA). It supports the organization in design and product development, marketing, finance and capacity building. The association has sandstone crafts entrepreneurs mainly from Sikandra and Manipur who follow a tradition of fine workmanship.