Located in the district of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Udayagiri is home to the traditional art form called the Udayagiri Wooden Cutlery. The craft dates back to 14th century and is said to have originated during the reign of Qutub Shahi dynasty under Quli Qutub Shah. The craftsmanship runs in the family and is carried on from one generation to another. Earlier practised by men and women alike, the art form is slowly being taken up by women. The wood used for carving the cutlery is usually procured from nearby hilly area of Durgampalli and the wood used is Nardi. The peculiar thing about Nardi wood is its softness and hence the ease with which it can be carved into ornate designs. To ensure that the efforts of Udayagiri craft persons get due recognition and to protect the legal rights of these craft persons on handmade products, Andhra Pradesh Technology Department & AP Handicrafts Development Corporation (Lepakshi) collectively worked to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tag for these handcrafted delicate articles.
With intricate carvings, vivid geometric patterns and exquisite designs, these cutlery items are very popular amongst homemakers. Regular utility utensils are carved into beautiful art forms and the products range from varyingly shaped trays, spatulas, ladles to differently styled spoons, forks etc. Fashioned with attention to detail, these utensils complete the meal as they carry with them the essence of garnishing on the delicacy, as the utensils are carefully handcrafted. The designs have particular names like Amini, Kangure, Khajuri and Dargah Ki Jaali etc. Tracing its influence to Persian motifs, the cutlery is used in homes and for gifting purposes. The women have also formed SHGs to work together for producing the cutlery and artisans have organized themselves into the Udayagiri Cutlery Mutual Aided Cooperative Society. The training required for creation of this art form and innovating designs usually takes in a period of six months every three years.
In an initiative to provide a platform to these well-crafted artisans for participatory development; AP Government, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) and Kalgudi have initiated the e-mahila portal in collaboration with Tata Trusts. The primary focus of this portal is to enable SHGs, micro entrepreneurs to increase their visibility and market reach. Every utensil carved out of the Nardi wood has a story of the artisan which is an integral part of the product. The hardships faced by these craft persons is beyond our imagination and the e-mahila portal ensures to narrate the story of these women through the online platform. It is an attempt to make the women entrepreneurs believe in themselves, become the best versions of their own and make an impression on the hearts and minds if the consumers. The Udayagiri Wooden cutlery carries with it the past of the craftsmanship of native people of Udayagiri, the present of their innovative designs and the way they are being contemporary with online channels in this competitive world and the future of their hopes, aspirations and dreams of keeping their stories alive for the times to come.
#WoodenCutlery #UdayagiriCutlery #DWCRA
#WomensEmpowerment #Traditional
#Rural #Culture #AndhraPradesh
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