Basket weaving is an ancient art in India. Indigenous communities make different shapes and patterns of baskets based on their local traditions, needs and techniques. While in earlier times, basket weavers used to make a limited range of products like tray-like baskets used in rituals, at present they make a range of diversified products infused with indigenous craftsmanship and utility value. The artists of Malda, Dinajpur hubs included in RCCH project (2016-2019) have infused new designs in their artistry and are now travelling across India. Under Sfurti scheme of Ministry of MSME, a cluster inervention programme with infrastructure and machine facility has also been taken up at Majlishbag in Gazole of Malda. Under RCCH Phase II, new hubs have been identified and trained. One of the prominent clusters out of the same is Dighidanaga in Birbhum.
Under the aegis of RCCH II, a total of 169 artists, 144 from Purulia (Raidih village in Barabazar, Bela village in Balarampur and Charida Kalindi Para in Bagmundi) and 25 from Birbhum (Dighidanga) have been trained on skill upgradation, dyeing process, costing methods, product finishing and others. The basketry artists have also been trained to create a range of diversified products of high market value. A total of 36 artists from Dighidanga have received training on business strategy, communication, digital and financial skills so that they not only derive the capability to initiate and sustain independent entrepreneurial ventures but also derive the ability to communicate about the history and practice of their aesthetic tradition to outsiders. The intervention focussed on not only empowering the craft practitioners but also contributed in accrediting them a cultural identity premised on their aesthetic pursuits.
