Handicrafts

Coutresy of
Niraj Naik, Goa Scan

BRASS AND METAL CRAFT

Goa is famous for its brass items, especially samais. The craft has established
traditional market since long past. It is customary in Goa that at the time of marriage
the parents of Brides present a set of Metalware like Kalsa, Kalshi, Puncharati, Ekarati
etc., the cost of these items range from Rs 25/- to Rs. 5,000/-.

These items are produced from Sea Shell which includes lamp shades, Zumbers, curtains,
pot hangers, table lamp, clock and mirror frame, ashtray, etc. The cost of these items
range from Rs. 5/- to Rs 1,000.

Goa is also famous for its wood carving like carved sofa, chairs, and other different
variety of special designed furniture, wooden toys, fruit sets and variety of other items
are also prepared.

POTTERY & TERRACOTA CRAFT

Pottery and terracota is an original and traditional craft of Goa. In some places like
Bicholim, Assagao and Verna, a particular community of people is engaged in this craft and
recently, the government through one of its training centres at Bicholim, introduced
modern techniques of mould making in this craft. A trend in shifting from the traditional
methods to new mould made items in terracota is thus observed. In Pottery and terracotta,
both utility cum decorative items are produced by the potters. Each piece is definitely a
reflection of artistic perfection. The sculptures in this craft are noted for their
realistic finish. Of late, some people from different societies, other than Potters
community with genuine interest in this craft have started pottery and terracota units in
Goa. The items produced include flower garden pots, bowls with floral designs, figures of
saints and Goads and Godesses and animals, ashtrays and pen holders, etc. The cost of the
items produced range between Rs 5 to Rs 1050.

Variety of decorative items are made out of coconut shell as masks, Ganapati in coconut
shell ect. These have good market in Goa as well as outside Goa.

This craft was introcuded in goa after liberation. Variety of items such as human
figures, birds, animals, statues of god/ godesses are prepared. Some units from bicholim
have concentrated on these items.

Crochet and embroidery is available in almost every part of india. Perhaps it is right
to wsay that wit the arrival of the batch of nuns and misenaries from Portugal this craft
found roots in Goa. With time it developed fast and found its way in almost every house of
Goa. It will be not be unfair to say that crocet and embroidery is now a traditional craft
of Goans. Crochet has a traditional marke in Goa since ages. At the time of marriage, a
few pieces of embroidered linen and crochet are given to the bride as part of dowry. It is
customery in Goa with both, Christians and Hindus to display before the gauest the crochet
and embroidery items the bride has brought with her at the time of marriage. This perhaps
is to demostrate the skill of the bride in crochet and embroidery work. The craft of
crocet and embroidery is thus passed on from one generation to another, improving in the
quality and design from time to time. The items produced includes hankies, table clothes,
children and ladies garmets, lioow and cusion covers and bed spreads etc. aAn emboidered
and chrochet item ranges from Rs 5 to Rs 2,000 dependig upon the size and intracacies i
work. Coperative societies and convents have encouraged this craft and provided employment
to hundreds of rural youths.

Bamboo crafts is on eof the traditional crafts of Goa. It si practiced in almost all
parts of Goa. If we trace the history of bambaoo craft in Goa it is one of the oldest
crafts practiced here by the "mahars", a scheduled caste community of Goa. They,
in the biginning, produced utility items required by farmers and fishermen for drying and
storing of food grains and selling of fish, etc. the range of items produced that time and
still in use in villages include "patlo" (baskets), "valli" (used for
washing rice and grains), "supli"(for cleaning rise), mats in different sizes
(used also as shades for windows for protection against rain and sunlight) and
"dali" (most important item for farmers for drying food grains; can be used as
floor coverings also). The latest trend in designs which include both decorative and
utility item is the outcome of new techniques introduced in the training imparted both by
the state and centrla government agencies at different times. The new items introduced in
market include different types of flower basckets, flower pots, letter holders, pen
stands, fans, fish set making, etc. the cost of the items produced range from Rs 3 to Rs
3,00.

FIBRE CRAFT

Fibre articles produced in the different parts of out country have the common feature
of being bascially utiliataian to keep pace with the fast changing ways of living many new
decorative and different house hold items are now being made. In fiber esthetics and
functions are integrated and ornamentation and decoration are not divorsed from utility.
In goa this craft has been brought by nuns from Kerala. Attractive and colourfulm shopping
bags, ladies purses, coasters and wall hangings are made from banana or sisal fiber and
practiced by some women organisation in Goa. The cost of fiber articles range from Rs 10
to Rs 100.

Batik was first introduced in India by Ravindranath Tagor. Batik which is very popular
in India is a process where by a picture or pattern is dyed on to a piece of cloth to
create exquisitely designed scarves, wall hangings, cousion covers and bad covers etc. In
Goa, this craft has been introduced for the first time by the directorate of design and
development center, government of Goa. Cost of the item produced range between Rs 20 to Rs
2,000.

Metal embossing craft is the recent inclusion in the galaxy of goan crafts. The metal
embossing work was being practiced on the brass sheet which is being switched over to
aluminium sheets lately. The raw material is not easily available in the local market and
it is expensive compared to the market in the neighbouring states. The good range of items
are being manufacture mostly wall hangings of gods and godeses and other figures of
different motifs