Participants call for enlisting clay craft, reviving industry
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Jammu Chapter in association with Directorate of Geology and Mining, Jammu, organised an interactive meet on ‘Clay Crafts of Jammu’ at Udyog Bhawan today to move forward with reviving this dying craft.
Dr Lalit Gupta, Art Historian, enlightened the audience on the traditional clay crafts of Jammu division, as revealed through excavations at various heritage sites.
“In every excavation we have found some sort of clay craft, such as Harappan red ware jars at Manda or terracotta heads at Ambaran, which establish the cultural and historical prominence of this craft in this part of the world,” he said.
Bishamber Mehta, former faculty Music and Fine Arts, talked about the importance of clay based crafts, one of which is pottery, for various sections of the society.
“Other states have promoted and preserved the clay crafts unique to their region. We can find ‘Mitti Kala Boards’ as a nodal agency in some states for this purpose,” he said adding that Jammu division is blessed with different types of clay which can be used to make a wide range of inventory.
Bua Ditta, a clay craftsperson while highlighted the plight of those involved in this craft, said, “The younger generations are abandoning the craft given that is not commercially viable or enjoying government support. Also, the less literate craftspersons, ignorant about schemes, legalities, concerned authorities, etc., are exploited by the land mafia when procuring and transporting the raw material.”
Namrita Bhan, JKAS, AD Handicrafts Jammu, assured that the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms would work on enlisting clay craft in the crafts of Jammu, opening training institutes, identifying the people involved in clay based crafts across the division, and registering them.
Trishala Kumari, JKAS, Joint Director I&C, opined that clay craft can be developed as a small scale industry, involving women folk too, who can be registered as Self Help Groups or clusters.
“The Department of Industries and Commerce will provide all possible support to the craft and craftspersons. It is in line with PM Narendra Modi’s call for Vocal for Local, requires less investment, is eco-friendly, less complicated craft, and provides for self employment. The craftspersons can, as such, avail benefits of various government schemes,” she said.
Saleem Beg, Convener INTACH J&K, Former Director General Tourism, shared his views and ideas throughout the discussion, and urged the concerned government authorities for providing some immediate relief to the craftspersons.
CM Seth, IFS (Retd), Environmentalist, Co-Convener INTACH Jammu, suggested for a digital platform for the clay craft and craftspersons, and adequate promotion of the government efforts.
Arvind Kotwal, JKAS (Retd) pointed out the need to produce innovative products, adding value to them as per the modern demands, which would help the craftspersons earn better revenue.
Vikas Sharma, JKAS, Director Geology and Mining, Jammu, who was the Chief Guest, called for a collective and continuous effort from different government departments and civil stakeholders to help revive and nurture the craft.
“We can together work on making a vision document for the clay craft industry, which would require identifying sites for clay extraction, taking measures for protecting crucial sites, framing regulations, and so on. We have to prepare in advance for the increased consumption of clay in future when the industry takes off,” he said adding that the department might work on giving licenses directly to the craftspeople rather than some middlemen for clay extraction and usage.
Welcome address was presented by S.M. Sahni Convener INTACH Jammu Chapter, Dr. Satwant Singh Rissam, Addl. Co-Convener INTACH Jammu Chapter moderated the discussion, while Kuldeep Wahi, Co-convener, INTACH Jammu Chapter presented the Vote of Thanks.
Others present on the occasion were K.K Sharma, Former Director Floriculture, A K Khajuria, Jt. Director Geology and Mining, H.L Langeh, Geology and Mining, Dr. Ishya Devi, Geology and Mining, Dr. Sonia Jasrotia INTACH Jammu chapter, Dr. Rajesh Sharma, INATCH Jammu chapter, Dr. RS Rana GC-II, Prof. Shalini Rana HOD, Eng. GCOE, Jammu.
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INTACH Jammu Chapter, Directorate of Geology & Mining hold interactive meet on Clay Crafts
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