Today while we drove to devicote village, near jaisalmer, in an open jeep, through the sand ,I could barely focus on the harshness of the nature around..I was, instead pondering all the way, over the different ideas for the workshop. The brief that was given to me was “ there’s a bunch of unskilled women doing really poor embroidery currently. I need to design and teach them to make products that can be sold at INTACH Heritage shop.The first glance of the village was inspiring enough to forget about any ideas that may have been conspiring in my mind before reaching the place.
I asked all the women who had gathered in the mukhiya’s house to get from their homes, whatever things they had made with their hands – dolls, utensils, decorative things, embroidered panels or clothes, and also, the work of their mothers and grandmothers. There were sudden whispers, muffled noises, some giggles rupturing into smiles and finally some movements. Within seconds the room was empty, only for a few minutes. And then what I witnessed was an array of most beautiful expressions of their moments of happiness. Initially the women were a little shy and hesitant in sharing their creativity. But after a slight appreciation, they came forth, in bounds and leaps. Their confidence had suddenly leapt ten folds. They felt confident of themselves- they came oozing out of their suppressed selves. There was a silent applaud for each one of them, within themselves.
I chose a couple of their ideas and we were on our way to developing them into some lovely products that INTACH ould sell them in their shops.
Then I asked them to bring the indiyan (the cushion women keep on their heads to balance earthen and metal pots) that they use at home. Indiyan is a very essential part of women’s wardrobe in villages, as they are the water bearers in their homes. And water being scarce, they have to carry water in pots on their heads, from far away places. Most of the women decorate this according to their own tastes. And lo behold! We had some beautiful ones all around us.. These would make some lovely hot pads/ trivets for our dining tables – to balance the hot pots !!
Three cheers to the designers from Devicote !!
