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Shilpgram
- The crafts village, located north west of udaipur, is a must see
place for those who want to see the cultural heritage of India, its
handicrafts etc. Shilpgram hosts crafts fair every year which is one
of the biggest in India, people from different states in the country
hold their stalls showcasing their art and crafts work.
Situated 3 kms west of Udaipur near the Havala village is the
Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex. Spread over
an undulating terrain of 130 bighas (70 Acres) of land and
surrounded by the Aravallies, the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex is
conceived as a living enthnographic museum to depict the lifestyles
of the folk and tribal people of the West Zone. Within this complex,
huts of the member states are constructed incorporating traditional
architectural features of different geographical and ethnic groups
residing within the West Zone of India comprising of five Federal
States.
One of the
important objectives of Shilpgram is in the sphere of increasing
awareness and knowledge of rural life and crafts, specifically, for
the younger generation. Special emphasis is laid on workshops for
children on arts, crafts, theatre and music.
The Rural Arts and Crafts Complex - Shilpgram - would also provide
an opportunity to rural and urban artists to come together and
interact through the process of camps and workshops. It is hoped
that through intimate observation of different styles and
experiences, urban and rural artists would learn from one another
and enrich their skills and art forms. The Centre promotes
contemporary urban ceramists, potters, designers, visual artists
etc. to work with their traditional counterparts in creating works
of everyday art which would then be put up for exhibition and sale
for visitors.
The Center developed two Museums in the Shilpgram where simple
objects of day-to-day use, that represent the sense of wonder and
aesthetics in rural and tribal life are put on display. In addition,
a Handicrafts Bazar in the fashion of a traditional 'haat' was made
where visitors could buy traditional crafts from the Zone. Craftsman
were invited periodically to demonstrate their skills and sell the
crafts to the visitors at the Shilpgram.
An attraction no less of the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex is the
open air Amphitheatre with a seating capacity of approximately 8000.
Besides the major theatre festivals which the Centre hold here, it
is hoped that this facility would motivate the local community as
well as outside visitors to take a keener interest in theatre and
the traditional folk performing arts.
Shilpdarshan is a continuing activity at Shilpgram in which
traditional performing artists and craftsmen are used to draw from
the interior villages of the member states. They are regularly
invited to exhibit their skill and to demonstrate their crafts, and
sell their masterpieces in order to have direct access to the
buyers. This programme has encouraged the rural craftsmen and
performers in a big way. The Shilpgram has become an important
landmark in India and Government of India has decided to replicate
them in all the Federal States of India.
In these traditional huts, household articles of everyday use -
whether terracotta or textile, wooden or metal, along with
decorative objects and implements - agricultural or craftsmen's
tools, etc. are featured with appropriate signages and explanatory
details. The objective is to give a realistic glimpse of the people
and their belongings representing Unity in Diversity and National
Integration. |
