IIFT interested in Jhabua tribal bead work

Jhabua, MP, May 27 (UNI) Fashion gurus have set admiring eyes on bead and 'panja' mat work native to this tribal-dominated district of western Madhya Pradesh.

Recently, New Delhi-based IIFT Prof Anuradha Kumra led a 11-member study team here and the visitors realised that tremendous potential existed for the unique bead work in modern fashion tech.

Designer Shyam Ahuja is already proving successful in such experimentation.

The team -- which is undertaking a minute study of tribal art and handicraft in Jhabua, Jobat, Katthibada and Kalyanpura areas -- shared their experiences with Collector Rajkumar Pathak and gave several useful suggestions.

The visitors felt that the region's tribals received inadequate wages and their art was not being publicised to the requisite extent.

The team suggested that tribal art centres be opened in metropolises where the 'adivasis' themselves should be allowed to exhibit their work.

Mr Pathak directed officials to ensure that tribal art compulsorily finds a place in art fairs organised in various states.

He stressed on tribal artists being made permanent members of the Bhopal Haat and on videography of art.

Due to middlemen, a 'panja' mat sold for Rs 10,000 in metropolises but was purchased for only Rs 500 from the tribals.

Last October, Jhabua's artists demonstrated manufacture of the mat at IIFT, Delhi.

UNI XC-AC DH RN0425