Empowering Artisans: The Revival of Papier-Mâché Craftsmanship in India
Papier-mâché is a creative and beautiful handicraft; it has rich history from all around the world tracing all the way back to 200 AD during the Han dynasty. It is quite popular in Egypt, Persia, Japan, India, Pakistan, Europe, Russia and Mexico. In the 15th century, Sultan Zain-Ul-Abedin came to Kashmir and brought many talented craftsmen and artists to teach the locals the skills of paper Mache. In India the craftsman of Kashmir are well known for this art.
It is a mixture of paper pulp, glue and other materials, which is then layered and pressed together when wet to make various shapes and objects. There are 2 ways in which papier-mâché is made.
1. A mixture of water and flour is mixed to a thick consistency. PVA based glues are used to thin the mixture and clove oil or salt is added to help prevent the mixture from growing mould.
2. The paper strips are soaked in water & glue till sopping wet. The strips are then set on a surface to create a cast with grease or oil used to release the cast. The glue needs to be fully dried before painting or mould will form on the cast.
The tiring method of transforming ordinary paper and paste into distinctive, aesthetic, three dimensional products is in demand. Recycling waste paper into the most beautiful, exotic, extremely colourful handicraft from Kashmir, the Papier-Mâché. boxes, trays, vases, bowls, cups, base of lamps and many other smaller objects.
Asha Handicrafts Association exists to strengthen the artisans communities by assisting them to gain access to the international markets. The craft that once was a well known art and decoration activity is today, a source of livelihood for thousands of artisans in India.
– Joanna Shields GRADE – IX