Handicraft, our heritage

by T. Arjuna

All human beings need a purpose in life to feel fulfilled, contented, and gratified. However, when one's own purpose also fulfils that of others' needs; such men and women, thus gifted, reach the zenith of fulfilment. That perhaps is the reason that the people involved in artisanal handicrafts are more blessed than most of us for the richness of their life lies in memories of one's creations that satisfies others' wants.

Handicraftsmen may lead a poorer life in terms of wealth, but their lives are, enriched by the marvellous richness of their creations: handiworks that leads them, and those who own such creative work, on to rewarding joy. Nevertheless, though the artisan reaps the full value of joy when someone buys their products, which are fashioned by human emotion and expertise; their pleasure of living is not without pain.

Despite the wrenching pain of need that is their life, they face it with the courage of the gift they possess: to create a work that is the acme of excellence. Civilisation will not attain to its perfection until the human race learn to treasure the work of human hands that creates works of art that produces no two pieces that are identical.

If craft be the skill or ingenuity in any calling, especially in a manual occupation; handicraft, or to be more precise, artisanal handicraft, is the dexterity and expertness in working with the hands. Many people misunderstand handicrafts to be an activity involving the making of only decorative domestic objects by hand.

There is nothing more further from the truth. Handicraft, in fact, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful as well as decorative objects are, made completely by hand or by using only simple tools.

It is a traditional main sector of craft and applies to a wide range of creative and design activities that are related to making things with one's hands and skill. These include work with textiles, mouldable and rigid materials, paper and plant fibres. Usually the term applies to traditional techniques of creating items - whether for personal use or as products - that are both practical and aesthetic.

Handicrafts have their roots in the rural crafts of ancient civilisations, and many specific crafts have been practised for centuries, while others are modern inventions or popularisation of crafts which were originally practised in a limited geographical area.

Palaeolithic people

According to findings in Iranamadu, Palaeolithic people (Homo-erectus) have existed in Sri Lanka for at least, 300,000 years BP (Before Present). There were settlements by prehistoric people in Sri Lanka from 125,000 BP. These people made tools of quartz and chert: a flint like form of quartz composed of chalcedony.

That being thus, our heritage of handcrafting is ancient by any measure: The traditions of craftsmanship had endured and evolved from time before history, time before religion, time before traditions and customs. Thus, both workmanship and manual dexterity have been recognised and rewarded in Sri Lanka from early history.

Indeed, her kings and queens, the traditional patron of the arts, bestowed upon talented craftspersons, grants of State land, and other privileges. This tradition continues to date with the President of the country, doing likewise. As an honour to the inheritance of possessing such exalted traditions, the National Craft Council of Sri Lanka was, established under the Parliamentary Act No. 35 of 1982 for the purpose of promotion, development, fostering, and preservation of handicrafts and upliftment of social and economic status of crafts-persons.

Ever since then, it organises an annual event in celebration: themed this year as "Celebrating Sri Lanka's Handicraft Heritage" it espouses the said purposes through the holding of provincial exhibitions leading on to the national level. Prize-winning entries are selected and showcased at the national level.

Here again, products of excellence are honoured and prizes distributed. Shilpa 2013 National Crafts Festival, to be held at he Sirimavo Bandranaike Memorial Exhibition Hall from August 15 - 18, under the aegis of the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development; is an event aimed at uplifting he lives of crafts-persons by facilitating new design ideas and thinking.

The Chairman of the National Craft Council, Buddhi Keerthisena feels that our traditional skills and craft had always taken inspiration from royal and religious, as well as the utilitarian crafts and cottage industries of the commoner. However, Sri Lanka's diverse heritage needs to materialise in the masterpiece variety of crafts that carry modern designs without losing our cultural heritage. He said, "Sri Lanka has benefited from absorbing and adopting from countries regional and foreign traditions which is reflected in our crafts.

To enable us to take it to the world, we need new design concepts, contemporary thinking, and modern marketing idea." This he hopes to achieve by providing a comforting sense of tradition within the context of modernity in an increasingly mechanised world.

It was Marco Polo, the Italian "Undoubtedly the finest island of its size in all the world", Buddhi Keerthisena is intent upon making it undoubtedly the finest island that creates the finest handicrafts in the whole world.

Come August, there is much to discover. Along with its own exhibition, the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development and the National Craft Council has organised Yugayata Nimayum, a never before seen display of new designs by the National Design Centre which is headed by Marshall Janatha.

This event is coordinated by Sarath Gunathilake, Assistant Director, National Craft Council. Additionally, Visithuru is a display of new products by past award winners and newcomers. The event was developed under he guidance of designers Seneka de Silva, Bharatha Kumara, and Channa Perera.

Ranma is another first of its kind event: a product launch of contemporary creations in Wood Carving, Rush and Reed Ware and Metal, by 30 crafts persons who all worked tirelessly under the inspiring guidance of three design experts from India, courtesy Daskarihaat Samithi of India whose chairperson is none other than the charismatic Jaya Jaitly.

Chandima Manohari, Assistant Director of National Craft Council, coordinated and contributed local designs to the craft persons. The Ministry of Economic Development, along with the National Craft Council, sponsored the workshop. There is also another event held as part of the festival that should be of interest to all - an exhibition themed "Sri Lanka's Handicraft Heritage" held under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Education.

There is also a craft market with over 140 stalls for people to splurge on Therefore, all told, this year's events, promise to be not only a celebration of our heritage, a festival of festivals; but also an educative, and inspirational experience, providing a lot of shopping opportunists as well.

There is always time, and a place in our hearts, for arts and crafts. As a gift, handicrafts act as a seal of friendship. It is also a compelling and enviable, personal keepsake; or a fitting present to mark a special day. To possess something fashioned by human hands, created by the toil and sweat and blood of creative minds, is an elevating experience. I have often found that our people, the Sri Lankan public are, infected with the malaise of incurable cynicism when it comes to all things Sri Lankan.

I urge them to come out of their cocoons of ignorance and partake in this experience. It will teach you things you had never known; enlighten you, and make you glad you partook of the event. Do not just partake. Purchase: There are over 1,500 craftsperson's products to choose from; and by buying, you take the first step in enlivening the lives of these simple folks who are the creators of masterpieces.

Ultimately, it is your support, which will give life to their creations; and believe me, you will be the gainer and never the loser for it.