Art of bamboo handicraft still booming in Kynrud
Modernisation has resulted in the death of many traditional art forms. But there are places, which have remained unscathed from modernisation. Kynrud is one such place where the traditional art form of making bamboo handicrafts is still alive.
THIS IS a feature of a village in Megahalaya, where the rural people- who are mainly agriculturist- are making handicrafts out of bamboo and keeping this traditional art alive, despite availing any assistance from the government.
The creative expression is imbibed in the tradition of the Khasi community in Meghalaya. The bamboo is intricately interwoven in their lifestyle. However, due to the advent of modernisation, the art of making bamboo items is rapidly diminishing. About 80 km west of Shillong, Kynrud is one such prosperous village in Meghalaya, where the Khasi community has kept alive the traditional art of making bamboo handicrafts.
The village, which has a population of about 130 households, is unique in itself. Every household is involved in this trade. However, the main occupation of the people is agriculture. With this art, the Khasi communities in this remote village are supplementing their family income.
The region is rich in natural resources and has affected man in a psychological and a metaphysical sense. The creative trends are characteristically symbolic, religious and pictographic. Meghalaya is rich in bamboo production and its multiple uses are evident. But with time the art of making handicrafts is fast loosing its charm, though many programmes, to promote this art, are underway.
Kynrud village is a testimony, where the people have not availed any assistance from the government but are still carrying the tradition forward.
Unity Diengdoh, a health assistant in a local Public Health Centre (PHC), narrates the importance of keeping this tradition alive. Being a learned lady, she believes that this is of utmost importance to preserve the Khasi roots. She points out that they can earn about Rs 500 a week and about Rs 2000 a month. Marti Marbaniang, who has been making bamboo handicrafts for more than 40 years now, feels that with this god gifted art, she has sustained herself and her family of eight children. She is involved with a local Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) and is part of a women Self Help Group (SHG).
Of late, the concept of SHG is coming up in the Kynrud village. Bamboo groves occupy a major portion of forest lands in Meghalaya. A right step for its further promotion will help the educated youth and others to take up this art for their living.
By Saidul Khan
www.merinews.com
