Background:

In India lac has been stound since time immemorial. However, it is first recorded as historical documentary evidence in ‘Atharva Veda’. ‘Jatugriha’ made of Lacquer in “The Great Mahabharat age” proves its use and applications in archeology. Buddhists’ ‘Vinaya’ text , poet ‘Kalidas’s works describes various use of Lac.

The Lacquer art is enthusiastically associated and inextricably linked with the Indian tradition, folk culture and rituality since time immemorial, which needs many research and studies. Lacquer art is popular in many parts of India. The poems of Kalidas the famous Indian poet of mediaeval age writing during the reign of Vikramaditya describes the use of Lac dye-based cosmetics in making up the women’s lips and feet-known as Alta. The Alta is used by Indian women now-a-days too where many costliest lipsticks are made of Lac based dye. Lac is being used in filling up the hollow type gold ornaments and designing the Lac bangles in most part of India. In marriage ceremony and many ritual and festive occasions Indian women use the Lac bangle. The ball made of shellac as well on material filled with colored liquids are being used in playing colors during Holy festival in Rajasthan of India.

“The bangles, ornaments, bamboo boxes, wooden crafts, terracotta and dolls decorated with Lac mixed with different attractive color” are popularly termed as lacquer art. Here, generally the dolls made of Lac are known as ‘Jaukandhei’. Actually, it is not made of only Lac particularly the dolls. They are made of fired clay and painted with various colors of Lac and artistically designed with colored Lac thread. It is associated with folk art and culture in different parts of Orissa.

The lacquer art of Orissa has a correlation with the streams of ancient Indian art and culture though a clear-cut study could not be done as yet about its genesis. The use of Lac bangle and Lac dolls in marriage and other celebrations goes back to ancient days. The Laccoated bamboo boxes and Lac bangles are more popular in southern Orissa. Many researchers say; “‘Jaukandhei’ is the reformed art and craft of Dhangra-Dhnagri- male- female clay dolls worshiped by primitive tribes of Mayurbhanj in Orissa. Due to its creative and delighting Touch, the inhabitants of Balasore Who are physically and culturally so close to Mayurbhanj have incorporated it into their art and cluture. By way of believing in the piousness of Lac in Hinduism, this couple-Lac dolls have been accepted by the mass. The folk artists of Balasore have reformed this Dhangra-dhangri clay dolls by innovating the firing and designing with colored Lac in hot-process technology. Later on the ‘Shankhari’ and ‘Jaura’ communities of Balasore had introduced in their craft Lac bangles or fired clay dolls designed with coloured Lac which is known as ‘Baleswari Jaukandhei.’ This craft could easily grow up in Balasore because of the easy availability of Lac host plants in the dense forest of Mayurbhanj and Balasore. The clay on River Budha Balang basin is suitable for terracotta works. Therefore, the Shankhari community of Balasore continued this trade in maintaining their livelihood. Later on, the ancient port town of Balasore could transport the Lac based crafts which led to the flourishing of the trade.

Gaps Identified:

Time consuming, Availability of artisans, , Cost & quality of raw material & limited market, Trainings, awareness among general public.

Interventions of ORMAS:

JauKandhei has been associated with Balasore since long and had been practiced in the ancient times. So, taking this identity into consideration, the Bampada JauKandhei PG, Bampada, Remuna was formed under the intervention of ORMAS in 2020, Since then it has been a major source of livelihood for its members and has brought change in their lifestyle. The PG has motivated several other women in the Block to form Producer Group and become self-reliant.

Since inception the PG has been progressing continuously. The members are traditionally trained in the activity and has been doing the JauKandhei activity from a long time. When some members came in contact with ORMAS in 2020, ORMAS is trying to regain its lost glory, by reaching their product to the public through public display, Small exhibitions, Exhibitions etc.

Prior to PG formation they were not able to make the Jaukandhei Products regularly due to lack of market and sales. Many of them had already left this activity as they were not finding this as a viable source of livelihood. After the formation of PG several other members have retured to this activity and are now getting involved in this activity. Apart from Jaukandhei they are now also making other Lac products such as Bangles. The PG formation has made a turnaround in their lifestyle.

The PG has been Provided with several financial and handholding support. They have been given IB/CB & Equipment cost, Additional equipment cost, thematic training & Working capital support from ORMAS. They have also been Provided a workshed cum Storage Space in convergence mode.

The PG is involved in making of several types & sizes of Kandhei (JauKandhei). They have recently started to make other marketable products such as Bangles, Paper weight etc to expand their portfolio and sales.

Outcome & Present Status:

Their income is Constantly rising, This year i.e, 2021-22 they have sold a sum of Rs. 4,45,000 till December despite getting affected due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

Now a days PG is on the path to achieve Self-Sustainability. They have recently done several tie-ups with local and nearby vendors as well as outside district vendors. They are now in the process of getting food safety and Hygiene certification for their PG, which will boost up their sales as many other vendors have shown interest in purchasing Areca leaf plate from them after certification. Their Products have a certain demand in the market as well as in exhibitions due to their quality and USP and they are wishing to replicate the same via Online marketplaces too in upcoming times.

Details of Activity: