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S.K. Shaw

"My name is S. K. Shaw and I was born on December 10, 1964 in Calcutta. My formal education includes a college degree. Around 1990, while pursuing a business in machinery parts I encountered the distressing conditions of artisans engaged in bronze dhokra arts in Bengal and the neighboring provinces. Cheated by moneylenders and naïve about marketing strategies, the pathetic condition of poor dhokra craftsmen was a serious jolt to my sensitivities. By virtue of my business, I opened communication channels with metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai and decided to use my position to the advantage of the deprived artisans.

"I collected a few samples from craftsmen, contacted some art-ware exporters, and contacted various art galleries, for I thought they would be interested in placing orders with fellow craftsmen and with massive financial support, I decided to set the ball rolling. I completely devoted myself to my newfound adventure. I began to design products and worked in close cooperation with artisans.

"The constituents of a traditional dhokra product include brass, copper and zinc. The elaboration process in the foundry is a demanding labor. First, a clay model is set to dry in the sun and then embossed with strings of beeswax. For a hollow product, a clay cup is inserted inside or even thickly coated with wax. One or two wires run through this wax coating to canalize the metal inside. The wax usually allows one-tenth of metal to be pumped in. It is then covered with another protective shield of clay while the smoldering metal is conveyed. The metal melts down the wax. After cooling and cleaning we get the intact metal product which is then placed to dry out in the sun and finally, it is polished with abrasives and biodegradable polish. Since sun drying is an irreplaceable part of the procedure, the work suffers heavily in monsoon season. Then we double check the product for alignment before lending it a heat treatment below the ground for five days. Before, artisans were creating poor quality, unpolished art products. Now they have become quite quality conscious and churn out alluring polished wares. We have a master polishing craftsman with us.

"My mission is to uplift the economic standard of dhokra artisans - not only in my native Bengal but also in neighboring Orrisa, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, which I believe to be the most marginalized. We are constantly striving to provide poorer and weaker artisans a regular income. A large majority of our artisans are women whom I believe to be the most dedicated and serious about their work. With this in mind we created 'Saheli,' meaning "a friend," near Burdwan - its an association of craftsmen.

"I have been instrumental in conducting Design Development Program with the help of the Department of Handicraft, from the Textile Ministry. We have achieved the success we desired and now we are focusing on the launch of an NGO for women entrepreneurs. I also want to create a guild for artisans who can negotiate own terms and conditions. We have participated in the India International Trade Fair and state level fairs. We intend to participate in overseas fair.

"I believe it will be a bold new experience to join Novica. We hope to create great range of products for discerning Novica customers."