Panaji: Curchorem-based Sonali Parwar (31) represents a generation of traditional bamboo artisans trying to keep an old craft alive while adapting it to a changing market. After specialised training, she has expanded from basket-making to value-added products such as lamps, décor items and hair clips.“Now it has been 18 years that I am doing this work,” she told TOI.In 2023, Parwar attended a 15-day training programme in Assam and later enrolled in a two-year diploma course at Bamboo Research and Training Centre (BRTC), Maharashtra.“Earlier artisans largely made baskets and other utility products. Today, the younger generation is experimenting with products designed for contemporary consumers and tourists. Goa has only around 50 to 70 bamboo artisans in the older generation as the youth do not find this an economically viable trade. Through our enterprising lens, we are therefore encouraging 28 such artisans to produce more contemporary or fancy products that can be sold to tourists, at exhibitions and through larger orders,” she said.Participant Vishal Gudupar (32), who holds a diploma in bamboo craft and mainly makes furniture, said preparing bamboo slivers is one of the most labour-intensive stages.“Removing and preparing the sliver for weaving takes considerable time, while the actual weaving can sometimes be completed comparatively quickly. The artisans rely on hand tools rather than machines,” he said.Old Goa-based ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute has launched the initiative to transfer specialised skills to traditional artisans and create a network capable of handling larger orders.“Two or three artisans cannot fulfil large orders within short deadlines. A larger network of trained artisans would allow production to be distributed across many people and make it possible to respond to bulk requirements. We are therefore training 28 people, with plans to involve more artisans in subsequent programmes,” said ICAR-CCARI senior scientist (agroforestry) AR Uthappa.“Goa receives visitors from across India and abroad, and the artisans and trainers involved in the initiative see an opportunity to turn bamboo products into locally identifiable souvenirs and lifestyle products. The idea is to eventually create a collective brand for Goa-made bamboo products, under which traditional and contemporary products could be marketed together,” said ICAR-CCARI director Parvin Kumar.
