CRAFTS COUNCIL OF TAMILNADU

Having been started in 1988 the Crafts council of Tamil Nadu is a registered NGO that aims at progress of Handicrafts by providing facilities and opportunities to craftsmen for their welfare. Over the years the Council has worked with many craftspeople at the grass root level interacting with them personally to understand their needs and to provide them. To name a few of them, the council has worked with Kurumba Kambili to improve the quality of the yarn. The improvement in quality of embroidery done by the lambadis of Dharmapuri is another feather in the cap. We have worked with the craftspeople of Pudhukottai in making Ayannar Statues. We have worked with stone workers to give them design imputs to suit the modern urban clients. Similar work was done in the Jamakalam sector of Bavani. The workshop and book on various flower tying techniques has improved the life of many artisans for whom advanced training by mastercraftsman from Thailanad was arranged. Documentation of various crafts like the leaf Killi of Srivalliputtur and Palani is an example of the committment of the council. The sheet metal designs given to the artisans have made their wares more contemprary. Currently the council is involved in the revival of a few languishing crafts. The Crafts Bazar held anually for over 10 years is a platform for over 150 craftspeople to exhibit and sell their wares. The Council is contantly striving towards improving the design imputs ,techniques and marketablity of crafts products thus lending dignity to the craftsmen and nurturing sustainablity of the craft