BALASORE: In a bid to give a new lease of life to the lacquer craft, an exclusive website has been dedicated to the craft form by Baleswari Kala Kendra (BKK). The BKK is an artisans’ organisation that has been striving hard to promote the craft form.
The website www.jaukandhei.com was launched at a programme here recently. A 166-page book ‘Jau Kandhei’ featuring articles, prose and poems, news clippings and features especially on lac dolls was also released on this occasion.
“This is the first website and book on lacquer dolls. While the website contains information on the history of lac dolls, crafts, profiles of the artisans, the book has special features and articles on the craft written by researchers and eminent persons,” claimed Kesudas, executive director of the organisation.
‘Jau Kandhei’, a pair of dolls (bride and groom made of lac), holds an important place in every Oriya household. Earlier these dolls were used during marriages and later kept in houses to bring happiness, especially to strengthen the nuptial bonds.
However, with modernity taking its toll, the craft form has been gradually becoming extinct and only a few artisans are left with skill in the field. “Keeping pace with time and demand, the idea is to make bangles, bells and other decorative pieces to make the indigenous craft more popular. If this craft is accepted by people once again, it will help in development of the folk tradition and come to the rescue of the artisans,” Kesudas hoped.