Crafts ǁ Learning new skills

Amateur bamboo mat-weaving attempts

Hello internet! 

I hope everybody is having a lovely Saturday!

A few weekends ago I attended a bamboo crafts workshop organised by INTACH India, where we were introduced to bamboo as a material, both when used in architecture as well as in crafts.

On a sunny winter morning, the small group gathered around the craftsmen demonstrating the process of halving, quartering and then stripping the bamboo stalk, the sections getting smaller and smaller, and the strips getting finer and finer. Everybody watched quietly and keenly, the craftsman's hands moving quickly and expertly. They went on to show us some of the basic weaves used for making bamboo mats and baskets, which we then tried our hands at. Man, was it tough!

It saddens me that bamboo crafts, along with so many other vernacular arts all around the world are slowly dying out, thanks to mass production. It's not just a matter of art, culture and tradition, but also of the intangible qualities that these crafts represent - meticulousness, effort, hard work, patience, attention to detail, teaching by and learning from the use of our hands. 

With our current want of quick fixes, easy solutions and instant gratification, I think we could all benefit from atleast trying to learning something new which does not show immediate results. It may not just benefit you, you may be contributing to society, helping in sustaining and spreading a local craft, or you might just acquire a new skill which you can teach your grandkids!

I personally would absolutely love to start doing origami again and possibly learn the art of Madhubani illustration.

Not inclined towards the arts? Try sticking to your exercise regime! Learn a new language! An instrument! Make an effort to cook at home more often! You never know when you might be able to put your new skill to use.

Until next time,