Is it not a matter of sheer coincidence that the word "RUDA" in the colloquial language of a region neighbouring Rajasthan means 'beautiful'?!!

From the raging hot brown sands of the "Registan" of Rajasthan has emerged the rich heritage of culture that has its own exclusive and unique position in the humanity at large.

From the dull, drab and dry monotony of brown expanse of the sandy tracts, spotted with scanty and sparse village population, comes an eye-catching spectrum of rich colours in the artifacts of the artisans. When the fields and farms are little to be seen these colours come from different fields of activities like pottery, ceramics, fibber's and leather having added a feather in the cap of the creators. Their simple and sober yet absorbing creations have aroused the interest all over the world. Mumbai is fortunate to share the joy.

Gone are the days when the traders and exporters of the artifacts used to approach the simple poor villagers directly. They exploited them by squeezing the best out of them and their skills at the least of the prices. They explored the potential of foreign markets and bargained at great gains. As such, the trader enjoyed at the cost of the artisans. The emergence of units like RUDA has controlled the situation and real sincere efforts have been made to render justice to the rightful skilled villagers. RUDA evaluates the products, decides the price that the creator must get to keep up with the livelihood and also to see the incentive to do better and better job. RUDA also dutifully mediates with the traders and exporters. The total money-flow is so structured that it allows RUDA to form the artisans' co-operative societies, promote the rural handicraft and uplift the total welfare of these skilled simpletons.

In the days of the galactic speed of life, a non-profit promoter-service organisation at Mumbai, namely 'International Resources for Fairer Trade' (IRFT) matches the pace and intensity of the metropolis life with the density of culture and craft of the rural society. It organises the exhibitions at various places and plays the role of a bridge between the rural craft and urban market. …….. A window for fair and free ventilation between the source and resource.

Mumbai-central.com shares the pleasure with WITS (World Information Technology Solutions) in placing on record the confluence of efforts of IRFT, RUDA and the humble artisans of Rajasthan.

To keep pace with the advances of the world, changing tastes of the society, taking benefits from the technological plus, RUDA has joined hands with the designers from the National Institute of Designs (NID) as well as the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and helped in producing really attractive products, nice to both, the eyes and the wallet.

The handicraft lovers thronged the Bajaj Hall for 4 days to lay their hands and hearts down right from the opening hour of 15th April 2000 to witness the exhibition."The Desert Pastorale" Even the usage of the word 'Pastorale' was sufficient to arouse the interest and put the reader on the go. It's different ! Even the exhibits meant this.

Particularly for the Mumbaikars, to be tete-a-tete with the rural handicrafts and have an opportunity to have some of them in their proud possession was really a matter of treat. The dimension of visitors' flow was a hint in this direction.

Let us have a glimpse of some of the stalls.

If you want to take a feel of the softness of the petal and witness the serenity of the flower, look at the dry-fruit bowls hand-sculpted from white marble rock. An awe-striking look is also given by the fruit- or snacks bowls and idols of the gods sculpted from rock by the artisans from Nayagaon- Bolka in the Alwar district of Rajasthan.

In stark contrast, the softness of the leather hardened by processing for inducing the stiffness in the leather to create photo-frames, executive table- top loose paper holders, pen-holders, purses, shopping-bags, etc all in light buff or brown shades of leather are the attractive creations from the Mandawa Leather group.

The team from Bagaru, a small place between Ajmer and Jaipur, have a grand display of block-printing expertise on fabrics like malmal, checked cambric, silk-satin etc. in dress materials, bed-sheets, sarees, purdah at very approachable prices. To expand the utility value, it was pleasing to see items like tea-coasters and napkins also in a rich variety of colours and designs, some of which were given by professionals from National Institute of Designs.

Perhaps the centre of visual magnetism lied in the stalls of pottery. A vast variety of terra cotta work, transformed into studio-pottery with an eye on the contemporary trends in the demand pattern, exhibited articles in all small and big sizes, colours, shapes and designs from a place named Hadota near Jaipur. The total clay model being put to paint - fire - paint - fire type of process gives a grand final outcome that decorates five-star hotels and palacial places. Yet another attraction is "blue pottery" from Neota giving vases and other items in very delicate and intricate floral designs, which were initially in blue (and hence the name) but now also in brown, green, yellow. The process involves copper and cobalt. The glassy shine and the fineness of the pattern and colours create a symphony for the eyes and mind.

Phalodi, a place between Jaipur and Jaisalmer is known for a weaving pattern From heavy woolen fibre "PATTU", originally used for heavy showls, but now extended also for fabulous takia-covers, Kurta. As such, originally a typical rural heavy woolen used by the shepherds in very cold climate has now come to towns in drawing-rooms and party-wears. Another place Jawaja near Beawar has an export based production of woolen "Darries" i.e. floor-spreads The weavers known as 'bunkaris' near Jaipur area producing varieties like Quilt, Gudadi, bed-sheets khadee-print sarees etc are assisted to add value to their products by a rich spectrum of designs from the experts from NID and NIFT. The dresses for the ladies wear, caps, shoulder-bags etc are decorated by variety of hand-embroidery with different stitches known as Sindhi-stitch, Tun, Pucca, kharak etc.

Design-support is also enjoyed by the leather-chappal manufacturers of kundhera near Ranathambor National Park, where one can very clearly see a departure from the old traditional patterns replaced by a pleasing colourful weave of leather material.

A typical and strikingly different art-work in the field of woolen floor-spreads, wall-hangings, cushion-covers, Tea-cossey, door-mates etc comes from what is known as milling and dying process with patterns of squares and straps of bright colours, milled and pressed repeatedly with soap-water. This speciality from Tonk near Jaipur has sought a praiseworthy export market in U.K. and U.S.A. A unique foot-wear of Rajasthan, "Mojadee" from Jodhpur and Jaipur, has seen very inviting transformations in its creations, with a mark of smoothness and softness of the quality leather, from which 'one piece mojadee' is created and is only to be seen to be believed. The designs, patterns and colours with all their delicacy give a royal touch to the feet that they decorate. Believe it or not, six highly qualified footwear technologists are dedicated to the ceaseless efforts of these mojadee-creators to develop excellence.

A belt of places like Jaipur,Jodhpur,Nagaur,Pali, Dholpur is supported by the development agencies like UNDP and NLDP standing behind 25,000

families engaged in the production of mojadees and other handicrafts, and hoisting their skills for the capture of international markets. A recent sample pilot order worth Rs. 10 lacs from Japan and another in pipeline from Hongkong worth Rs. 50 lacs stand testimony to the efforts of these agencies with total involvement and commitment for the uplift of these artisans.

What has been modestly presented in this Pastorale is a very very small sample of the richness of the Rajasthan rural cultural heritage ..vibrant and with wonderful play of contrast.

Needless to mention, with RUDA with them, these artisans will go a long way with prosperity at their feet.

For any further information, please feel free to write to :

              
               Rural Non-farm Development Agency , (RUDA) 
               Yojna Bhavan , B-Block , 3rd floor,
               Tilak Marg, JAIPUR - 302 005.
               Phone : (0141) 384591, 383512, 383980.
               Fax : (0141) 383906.
               e-mail : ruda@satyam.net.in