Significant Contribution of Artists in Conserving Tribal Art and Culture: President Smt. Murmu

President Smt. Draupadi Murmu during her visit to Indore visited Mrignayani Emporium and saw silk and cotton, Chanderi and Maheshwari sarees. She had discussions with artisans and weavers from tribal areas and appreciated their artistry. The artists presented handcrafted items made by themselves to the President. These artists are skilled in their crafts and have a unique national identity. They were overjoyed meeting and discuss with Smt. Murmu. Also present were Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, and Managing Director of the Small Industries Corporation, Dr. Navneet Mohan Kothari.

During her discussions with the artisans, President Smt. Murmu emphasized the need to preserve and cherish ancient culture and traditions, noting the significant contributions of local craftsmen. She highlighted the importance of encouraging them to create employment opportunities. The President also clicked photos of the artisans at their request.

In a conversation with artisan Shri Mubarak Khatri from Dhar district, she learned about Bag print art and asked how long he had been practicing it. Shri Khatri shared that his family has been engaged in Bag print making for 11 generations and that he is imparting this art to the next generations. He demonstrated how Bag print can be applied to cotton fabric and mentioned that it is now also done on bamboo and silk sarees.

President Smt. Murmu was informed by weaver Shri Alauddin Ansari from Maheshwar in Khargone district about his nationally awarded handwoven saree. He explained that the print on the saree’s border reflects the waves of the Narmada River. Impressed by the artistry, the President inquired about how long they have been doing this work. Shri Ansari revealed that his family has been engaged in this craft for generations and that they currently provide employment to over 300 people including 70 women.

The President was impressed by the Gond artist, Padma Shri Smt. Durga Bai, currently residing in Bhopal but originally from Dindori. She commended Smt. Khaikhu for her efforts to keep culture and art alive. Smt. Khaikhu explained that she teaches this art to children and provides free training to others through an organization.

When viewing the “Jhabua Dolls” by Padmashri Shri Ramesh and Smt. Shanti Parmar from Jhabua district, the President inquired whether the dolls were made from clay. The artists explained that they craft attractive dolls from cotton and fabric, providing free training to others to keep this art alive. They noted that all the dolls they take to markets and fairs sell out.

President Purchases Saree

President Smt. Murmu expressed pleasure in seeing the hand-woven sarees talking to employees at Mrignayani Emporium to learn about the sarees’ names and patterns. She was shown Chanderi, Maheshwari, cotton, and silk sarees in detail. Requesting the staff to select a light-colored saree for her, Sarita Gawade chose a light pink Maheshwari saree. The President made a digital payment for the saree at the counter, assisted by employees Kavita Bhilware and Vipul Singh. Female employees Aruna Rapotu, Sadhana Shukla, Sangeeta Shukla, Meena Chaurasia, and Vandana Kothari also showed her various sarees and silk fabrics.

CM Dr. Yadav presents Chanderi Saree as memento to President

During her interaction with handicraft artists and observation of their art work at Mrignayani Emporium, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav presented a Chanderi saree to President Smt. Draupadi Murmu on behalf of the state.