Numaish visitors in awe of Kollam tribal community’s exquisite bamboo craftsmanship
20 tribesmen and women from Kollam tribal community are trained via a skill-building program to make exquisite hand-crafted items in Telangana
By Beyniaz Edulji Published on 10 Feb 2025 8:58 AM IST
Hyderabad: Kollam tribals from KB Asifabad Telangana State showcase their bamboo handicrafts at Numaish
Hyderabad: This year there has been an interesting addition to the Department of Telangana stall at the All-India Industrial Exhibition, better known to Hyderabadis as Numaish. Kollam tribal community are exhibiting baskets, miniature furniture, lamps, boats, flowers, flower vases and other show pieces, all made from bamboo.
From mats to masterpieces
Kollam tribal community members stay in 20 hamlets at Mangi Gram Panchayat, KB Asifabad Telangana State, about 270 km from Hyderabad. The area they stay in is said to be a tiger habitat.
They make bamboo mats by traditional methods using 12 to 16 bamboos for each mat which would only last a year and not bring them much revenue.
Now, 20 tribesmen and women from the community were trained via a skill-building program to make exquisite hand-crafted items. Ten tribal persons were already skilled and were using just one bamboo to make high-value products. This saves on bamboo and gives them hope for the future. The products are sold at competitive prices, empowering sustainable livelihoods.
Inculcating self-belief
Kumaraswamy B, coordinator for Gundala project, said, “More than revenue, it is inculcating self-belief in their skills which will stand in good stead for the future of their community. They live in a tiger habitat so their sustenance and livelihood are good for the tigers too as there is a positive dependence between the two. We arranged for the stay of the tribal persons in Hyderabad for the duration of the Numaish. They are getting good feedback for their products which are of great value. They are now able to connect to the market, which they were unable to do earlier. We are also encouraging them to grow bamboo, which will be possible in two years’ time.”
This is capacity building for a sustainable future. People visiting the exhibition are also given the background and educated about the marginalised tribal community members and their products and the importance of this initiative.
