Colours of Himalayas- Showcasing handmade products of tribal women from flood affected area of Uttarakhand
Empowerment, a socio-cultural not for profit NGO, aims to preserve art and cultural heritage of India through promotion and revival of arts and crafts. A socially responsible organisation, Empowerment spreads its message and works through capacity building of women and youth. In June 2013, a cloudburst on the North Indian state of Uttarakhand caused devastating floods and landslides becoming the country’s worst natural disaster. The aftermath of this tragic turn of events left many homeless and wanting. Though relief poured in from various sectors, a sustained effort is required so that people are rehabilitated and empowered through capacity building and work towards sustenance.
Towards this objective of filling in the gap for a sustained efforts and rural development, Empowerment and Uttarakhand Artist Welfare Association are actively working with flood affected tribal women belonging to remote areas of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. This initiative has motivated the women to pick up the threads of their life using their craft to move on. It has also resulted in many tribal women coming together and creating beautiful handmade and hand woven products.
Program Details:
These products will be showcased in an exhibition “Colours of Himalayas” being organised on 12th December at Artizen Art Gallery in New Delhi. On display will be shawls, stoles, carpets, bamboo products, copper ware products, paintings and photographs depicting Uttarakhand and its crafts. All proceeds from the resulting sales of the products will directly go to these women artisans and weavers, motivating and inspiring them to return to normal stream and move towards sustainable development.
The exhibition is being curated by Sonika Agrawal and Kumar Vikas Saxena, who have closely watched these women going from being totally helpless and dejected to the spirit of wanting to move ahead and create a better living for themselves and their families. They say, “the immersion of the tribal women in crafts have given them a purpose of life and renewed their strength and courage, providing them with hope for the future.”
Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar Hon’ble Minister of State for Ministry of Textiles (IC) will be inaugurating the exhibition as the chief guest of the event. The exhibition will remain open till 14th December 2014.
