The Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, has unveiled the Designers Directory, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bridging traditional artisans with modern markets. Selected from a pool of applicants across India, designers will collaborate with artisans to create marketable goods, preserving Indian heritage while tapping into global opportunities. This move promises to rejuvenate the handicraft sector, offering artisans lucrative avenues and fostering innovation.. In an effort to rejuvenate and promote the rich heritage of Indian handicrafts, the Development Commissioner Handicrafts (DCH), under the Ministry of Textiles, runs design development initiative programs. The cornerstone of this initiative is designed to serve as a bridge between traditional artisans and the contemporary marketplace, where professionally qualified, experienced designers are required to develop marketable goods. The core objective is to facilitate craft design product development by connecting traditional artisans with selected designers who possess the expertise to offer marketable designs for various crafts across India. This strategic move aims not only to preserve the intricate heritage of Indian crafts but also to ensure that these artisans find lucrative opportunities in the contemporary world.
National Designer Deepak Singh, Designer Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India.
Getting selected as a Designer by Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India
Getting selected as Designer for Craft sector has its own challenges. Selected from a pool of applicants across India, Designers are selected through a rigorous process that assesses their qualifications, experience, and understanding of traditional crafts. This includes a review of their portfolio, interviews, experience in working with traditional artisans, and practical assessments to ensure their designs align with the vision of promoting Indian handicrafts. Designers empaneled under the DCH typically possess a background in design, fine arts, or a related field, with a deep understanding of traditional Indian crafts.
Story untold: Challenges of working in remote craft clusters
I am sharing one such incidence, while i was commissioned to do a Handloom Project in remote location in Manipur craft cluster by Export Promotion Counil for Handicrafts(EPCH) .
I can still recall, lying down helplessly on the bonnet of a #Maruti 800 — a suzuki mini car, gazing into the sky, I found myself contemplating my life’s choices. As suddenly, I was yanked from the car’s front seat by a militant and thrust onto the bonnet. Shocked and speechless, I felt the weight of a gun on my chest and heard my artisan friend pleading for mercy amid the chaos. In that moment, my entire life flashed before my eyes. Questions raced through my mind-why was I here, in such a remote place? Who was I training, and what brought me here in the first place? It was then that I grasped the true essence of being a young designer, working on projects in the distant corners and border towns of India.
This incident recounts my harrowing experience of being kidnapped by militants of the # Manipur Liberation Front while working in a remote Handloom cluster in Manipur back in year 2000, almost 24 years ago. As a recent graduate of # National Institute of Fashion Technology(NIFT) seeking design projects to express my creativity, I never imagined staring down the barrel of an AK-56 carbine gun.
Manipur artisans working in remote clusters in the hilly region.
Remarkably, I was released when I revealed my affiliation with the Government of #India , tasked with providing #designs , #training , and #employment opportunities to the local community. This message was conveyed in the local language by a fellow artisan. Despite the ordeal, I resolved not to leave without completing my training. I remained at cluster for three months, completing the project before returning home back in Delhi.
I made a call the very next day and shared my experience with the office of Executive Director #EPCH , New Delhi with #Shri Rakesh Kumar , whose compassion and sincerity left a lasting impression on me forever. Mr. Kumar relayed the story to the #Development Commissioner(DC) of Handicrafts, Shri R. K. Mathur IAS , who invited me for a tea upon my return to his office-a gesture that remains etched in my memory.
Many may not realize that as a designer, one may encounter challenges akin to those faced by soldiers in war. Recounting this experience still sends shivers down my spine as I share it for the first time on this public platform.
My earnest request to Govt. of India, is to provide selected designers with Government ID cards, Travel & Health Insurance benefits, Design Laptops, Design software, and extend the project durations to a minimum of one year. These provisions will significantly enhance our ability to deliver impactful outcomes across India.
I am confident that the strategic move to catalogue the “Designer Directory 2024” will not only preserve the rich heritage of Indian crafts but also pave the way for artisans to seize lucrative opportunities in the contemporary world through thoughtful and responsible design interventions, fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth within the craft sector.
I am convinced that this synergy will unleash a wave of creativity and marketability in craft product development, propelling Indian handicrafts to unprecedented heights on the global stage.
To know more of my such design experiences please get in touch
Email: onedesignstudio@gmail.com
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#fashioninspiration #storyofmylife
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
