The women of Udham Singh Nagar have given a new identity to the 2000 year old Moonj craft. More than 300 women became self-reliant through this handicraft. Products are being exported to Germany and PM Modi has also appreciated this initiative.
Varanasi/Udham Singh Nagar: Moonj Craft, which was once on the verge of extinction, has today not only become the identity of the villages, but is also hoisting the flag of India’s traditional handicrafts even abroad. Tribal and rural women of Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand are taking this 2000 years old art to the world stage by connecting it with the needs of the new era. The role of Rita Devi is being considered central in reviving this art, who has also been honored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Made the art learned from grandmothers the basis of self-reliance
Moonj Craft is the traditional art which was confined to homes through grandmothers for generations. With time this art started disappearing, but Rita Devi, a resident of village Muldhan, located in Khatima block of Udham Singh Nagar, resolved to revive it. In the year 2002, he started the work of Moonj Craft through a voluntary organization. Initially there were only 10 women with them, but today more than 300 women from 9-10 villages are getting employment by joining it.
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Moonj Craft from village to global market
With the efforts of Rita Devi, Moonj Craft is no longer limited to the local market only. Its exhibitions are held in many states of the country including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha. These days, the tribal market in the Kashi Hindu University campus is buzzing with Moonj handicrafts. Not only this, orders for Moonj Craft products are being received from many big cities including Delhi, Dehradun as well as countries like Germany.
Luck changed after 2014, got support from government schemes
Rita Devi tells that in the initial years, government officials used to come, but there was not much response from the market. For the first time in the year 2014, he got a chance to set up a stall in the exhibition. After this, Moonj Craft was linked to various schemes of Modi government. Under the ‘One District One Product’ scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government, Moonj handicraft was recognized as a GI (Global Identity) product, which opened the way for it to get international recognition.
Lives of women changed, beauty returned to villages
The picture of villages has changed with this initiative. Rita Devi says that earlier women had to depend on their family for household expenses, but now they have become self-reliant. Many modern utility products are being made from Moonj Craft including pen holders, rings, children’s toys, jewellery, decorative items. Due to this, the income of women has increased and economic activities in the villages have intensified.
Meeting PM Modi, confidence increased
Rita Devi told that last year in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met the women associated with Moonj handicraft. Praising their work, PM Modi had said that it is important to bring forward women associated with handicrafts. During this, Rita Devi presented a special product made of Moonj Craft to the Prime Minister, which he liked very much.
Shortage of Kush has become a challenge, not getting the right price for hard work
Moonj craft is made from Kush (Sarpat), which is found in barren lands, fields, ponds, river banks and forests. Earlier it was available nearby, but now women have to go 12 to 15 kilometers away for this. Collecting, cleaning, drying and preserving Kush for a year is a long process. It takes 2 to 3 days to make one product. Despite this, the artisans are not getting the price commensurate with their hard work in the market. If a product is priced at Rs 500, customers try to get it for Rs 300.
Unique confluence of tradition and modernity
Anita Devi, who is a resident of Udham Singh Nagar, says that this work was being continued from her ancestors, which was ended later. Now it is being given a new identity. Market demand is being met by combining modern design with traditional art. The government and various NGOs are also helping in this direction.
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