Konaseema Craftswomen Bring Coir Lion Faces to Online Markets

Rapid Summary:

• A group of craftswomen from Janupalli panchayat in Dr. B.R. ambedkar Konaseema district, Andhra Pradesh, have created “the Lion’s Face,” an artwork crafted entirely from coconut coir fibre.
• The project involved 30 women trained under the Progress Commissioner (Handicrafts) of the Ministry of Textiles during a 25-day design and development workshop.
• Five led artisans – Sudha Pushpa, Rudra subba Lakshmi, Geddam Lakshmi Durga, B.Prabhavathi, and Lavanya – crafted “The Lion’s Face,” using five layers of coir fibre representing features of a lion’s face.
• Prior to this initiative, these women primarily made ropes with coir fibre and have now produced 25 products during the workshop including deer figures, handbags, bird nests, lights, and oxen with horns.
• The first product is being sent to DCH-New Delhi for display; plans are underway to sell creations online via Ministry of Textiles platforms and exhibit them at relevant showcases.
• an Entrepreneurship Development Program has been scheduled by DCH-Vijayawada for the women to potentially form business entities backed by bank assistance.

Indian Opinion analysis:

This initiative highlights how resource availability can be leveraged skillfully by communities when provided proper training and support from goverment programs. By combining traditional methods with modern design expertise facilitated thru workshops led by professionals like NIFT alumni Suguna Raju Seva or master craftspersons such as Sarojini Panda from Odisha, rural artisans gain avenues for rural economic empowerment.

Scaling up production may depend on securing access to markets via digital platforms-a progressive step towards connecting handcrafted goods directly with consumers globally. Conducting entrepreneurship programs further enhances sustainability prospects as it encourages these artisans not just as creators but also entrepreneurs capable of managing their own businesses.

This model could serve as an example for replication across other resource-rich yet underserved districts in India-transforming art into commerce while preserving traditional crafts alongside economic progress.

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