Patna: Abode of artisans lies in a neglected state

By: Mariya Khan and Aashi Prateek
PATNA: City-based Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan (UMSAS), which was established in 1956 to promote handicrafts, has been virtually lying in a neglected state for the last few years.
UMSAS officials said hardly 20-25 people visit the institute these days. “We have seen sharp decline in number of visitors to the Sansthan in the last seven years.Some handicrafts shops had to be closed because of poor sale. We send handicraft and handloom items to various exhibitions in the state and outside it for sale,” said Ravindra Kumar, art and gallery incharge at UMSAS.
UMSAS deputy director Ashok Kumar Sinha said the institute also organise exhibitions at Patna Museum and Gyan Bhavan to showcase its products. “However, the response has not been good. We need more people to come forward and support the artisans,” Sinha added.
The deputy director said the state government had sanctioned Rs 30 crore in 2018 to renovate the institute.
Apart from lack of popularity of handicraft products at the institute, teaching of different art forms is also witnessing poor response. Sources said the number of handicraft courses offered at the institute has come down from 28 to 13 in the last 12 years.
The UMSAS offers six-month diploma courses in 13 different craft art forms, including Madhubani painting, bamboo craft, Tikuli painting and stone carving. Officials at the institute said the training programmes are designed to explore creativity and potential of students in various craft sectors.
“I have joined Tikuli painting course. Trainers here are state awardees and experts in their fields. The craftwork will help us earn livelihood in future,” said Upasna Dutta, a student at UMSAS. Majority of students at the institute are women.
Sivan Paswan, a Madhubani painting teacher at UMSAS, said admission at the Sanstahn is done through open entrance exam which is held in June every year. “There are 5 to 10 seats in each course. Madhubani painting is most sought after course,” he said.