INTACH Jharkhand and Kalamandir : Pottery Workshop – Join Hands in Safeguarding India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Back
The event “Pottery Workshop – Join Hands in Safeguarding India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage” took place on 26.6. 2016. The date was strategically picked coinciding with the date of “Jam Street” in the same morning. The volunteers from Kalamandir outreached around 15 schools: both electronically and in person. The response was astounding with 72 school students participating with 47 girls and 25 boys. The event took place in the premises of Kalamandir from 10am-3pm. Members of two Heritage clubs “Jusco School, Kadma and Motilal Nehru public school, Sakchi participated along with children from few other Schools who may soon form Heritage clubs.
Shri Sahdev Kumbhkar, a veteran potter form susni village of Patamda block of East Singhbhum came voluntarily to familiarize and immerse children in the exercise. Mr. Kumbhkar, an aging artist was too keen and happy to share anecdotes of culture, heritage and preservation of the skill and art with the attendees. He also told his societies pain and Joy, success and failure, now the soft touch of figures bring life on mud blocks, the joy of creation and living with own tradition brings smiles on the face of the old man. He narrated that his craftsmanship began as a child who observed well and liked getting his hands smered in clay. Children here made utensils such as bowl, glass, plate, diyas, pots and other items such as dolls, piggy banks etc. and carried the experience and exposure back with them.
To promote awareness about INTACH among young people, the Intach members like Ricki Surie, Amitava Ghosh, Devla Murmu ensured that it doesn’t remain just a fun affair only and becomes a provocative session. It was ensured that they had access to journals such as “Virasat” and ‘Young Intach’ to quench their thirst. The students went back with food for thought and a smile as well as a self –made token symbolic of heritage which dates back thousands of years. Press coverage is attached. They appreciated our effort. A beautiful certificate was awarded to each student.
