Akanksha Handicrafts Project

Preserving & Promoting UP's Handicraft Heritage

 

This initiative to preserve and promote the rich handicraft heritage of Uttar Pradesh has been conceptualized, led and coordinated by Akanksha-IASOWA UP. While the State is known for its handicrafts and is the largest contributor to the vast crafts collage of India, both in terms of number and variety, there is currently no single complete catalogue and documentation of the handicrafts of UP. This initiative is a first to map all the different crafts from the 75 districts and 18 Divisions in a systematic repertoire. The primary purpose is to preserve and help in promoting the handmade products, including the talented artisans, weavers, potters, others. A particular emphasis is on contributions of women and girls in this unorganized sector. Akanksha also supports workshops for skill building of women and girls in handicrafts of Uttar Pradesh. Two recent workshops focussed on the craft of applique work (Phool-Patti Ka Kaam ) practiced in Aligarh/Rampur districts.

 

AKANKSHA HANDICRAFT PROJECT TEAM

 

The initiative has been conceptualized and led by Dr. Farah Usmani, the 24th President of Akanksha & IASOWA Uttar Pradesh, since its establishment in 1987. It is the first such initiative by the organization. The Akanksha Core Team members work on district mapping, review and compilation.

 

Dr. Farah Usmani, Team Leader, President Akanksha IASOWA UP

Ms. Saloni Goel, Project Coordinator, Akanksha IASWOA UP

Ms. Vandana Sehgal, Member, Akanksha IASOWA UP

Ms. Asma Hussain, Member, Akanksha IASOWA UP

Ms. Neelu Goel, Member Akanksha IASWOA UP

Ms. Sujata Abhijat, Member Akanksha IASOWA UP

Ms. Nandita Singh, Member, Akanksha IASOWA UP

Ms. Vijaya Chaube, Member, Akanksha UP

 

As with all Akanksha projects, the contributions of its members is fully voluntary. IAS Officer's Wives have given their time and talent pro-bono to this UP statewide initiative to address a key gap in data and information.

 

​TOOLS AND PRODUCTS

 

To ensure  a robust and systematic mapping the Akanksha Team has drafted and developed an annotated template to ensure that all key components of each handicraft are documented. This has also enabled us to standardize the mapping of the vast repertoire of handicrafts from the75  districts. The template ensures acknowledging the inputs and contributions from partners and IASOWA-UP field members and peer reviewers for each of the specific handicrafts.

 

• Annotated Template for Mapping of Individual Handicraft Click

• District wise table with the maping of 155 handicrafts from UP

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGING OUR PARTNERS

 

Akanksha-IASOWA partnership with the Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh was initiated with the Principal Secretary of the Department, Mr. Sajeev Saran in August 2013.  The contributions of the various government departments and their functionaries in the field,  particularly GM District Industrial Centres towards information for the mapping is recognized. Akanksha has also collaborated with the State Folk Museum under the Department of Culture to conduct skills building workshops in selected crafts.

 

Akanksha has initiatied a partnership with Tata Consultancy Services TCS Lucknow to make available the extensive mapping and repertoire of 155-odd handicrafts on a web portal for ready access. TCS strengths in information technology to develop an interactive website are appreciated.

 

​FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

 

Contact AkankshaHandicraft Project Coordinator:  Ms. Saloni Goel

We welcome your comments & inputs at our Face Book Page at: https://www.facebook.com/HandicraftsofUP