A peep into the Indian history and awaiting one is a treasure trove of brilliant art work, paintings and sculptures. The aesthetic value of Indian art and the livelihood of the artisans has been a major inspiration for people around the world. From the smallest of towns come unique, yet equally amazing art forms. Quite a lot of these art forms have lost their market base in recent times and reviving has become essential. Along with the many initiatives of the various state government organisations and NGOs, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) is also doing its bit in helping revive theseart forms.NIFT's way of revivalAndhra Pradesh also plays host to many of these art forms like the Banjara Needle Crafts (Embroidery), Bidri Craft, Budithi Brassware, Durgi Stone Craft and Kalamkari among many others. The three art forms that have been focused by on this year, by the NIFT students this year are the Nirmal Art, from the Nirmal town of Adilabad district, Tolu Bommalata from Nimmalakunta in Ananthapur district and wooden cutlery from Udayagiri. As a part of their curriculum, third year students of department of fashion and lifestyle accessories at NIFT take a trip to one of the villages, which is the birthplace of a traditional art form and learn the craft from the experts of it, the artisans. Not just this, they also develop a study on the art form, come up with contemporary product designs, not altering the authenticity of the art.Explaining more on this, was Lakshmi Reddy, professor of accessories and design department. “A group of eight or more students were sent to these villages. They start off with design studying, then they work on form development, then the plan product designs, which have a contemporary flavour which is followed by a detailed market research.” She also said that the students have to create new designs and get them executed by the artisans. One of the students, Ramya Choudary says, “Learning the art from the artisans was a great experience.” Another student Upasana Bahuguna adds, “We never knew that there was so much detailing in every small motif.”After the execution of ideas, creating the much needed market is taken care by Lepakshi. All the products created at NIFT will be taken up for sale at Lepakshi. These products will be multiplied by the artisans and help create a market-base. From the horse’s mouthArtisans have been brought from these towns to work with students at NIFT to help them create new designs. One such Tolu Bommalata artisans from Dharmavaram is Gopal Vanarcha. He says that it has been an heredity factor of art in his family and that all his forefathers were great artists. Explaining a little on the process of the creating the art, he says, “We take more than three months in creating one piece. We have to buy goat skin, beat it to sheets and dry them. After that we have to make the ‘kalam’ (pen) with a bamboo stick and the ink with neem gum and charcoal and then start painting the outlines. This itself takes about two weeks. We then manufacture natural colours if possible, or use automobile colours instead. And out handicraft has to be very intricate as we have to display it against light.” Another artist from the same place, Janardhan Shinde says, “With so much effort put in, we at least want a nice market for us to sell our products and it is nice to get that much-needed new dimension to our work from the students here.” Retaining the authenticity of the art In the whole process the authenticity of the art is however not lost. Avinash Raipally, asst professor and centre coordinator, department of fashion and lifestyle accessories says, “We always make sure we do not alter or even make modifications to any of the art forms. This will take away its glory. We sure are teaching students to experiment, but only with the products.” He then adds, “For example, the Udayagiri Cutlery. Apart from just the wooden spoons and forks, the students have created wall clocks, table stands and many more products. But, all of these have a strong Mughal influenced design of Udayagiri.” Also the Tolu Bommalata art is being adapted to create lifestyle products. Apart from puppets and dome-shaped lamp shades, one-side open lamp shades, corner lamps shades and many more lights which have a very contemporary look have been created. Paper stands, jewellery boxes and pen stands with Nirmal prints are elegant and at the same time give a nice feel to the interiors of the house. “That’s the beauty, it's like old wine in new bottle,” says Avinash.
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