Sana Hastakala, the fair trade producer group that makes our Jogi Bag Range, are having a refurbishment in their showroom and shop in Kathmandu. Over the last week when I have been popping in about my new samples, Nepali women from Janakpur have been painting these amazing designs on all the walls.
I asked the team at Sana Hastakala about the paintings, and they are all traditional Maithil art designs, depicting familiar Nepalese scenes. So I bought this book about the Janakpur Women's Development Centre in South Nepal, which describes the tradition as such:
"The paintings are rooted in traditions which Maithil women have passed down through generations. On the occasion of marriage or festivals such as Deepawali, Maithil women paint lively designs on the mud walls of their houses....In monsoon season the paintings fase or wash away".
It was the Janakpur Women's Development Centre that helped these talented women to transfer their wall designs to paper. Now the designs are seen on a range of products such as coasters, fabric hangings, book covers, furniture and boxes etc, which are also sold at the Sana Hastakala shop.
Its great that they are promoting this craft, and the women have been labouring over the designs all week - I can't wait to see how they look when finished!
Also, it has given me thoughts for initial inspiration for print designs for AURA QUE - I should make a trip to Janakpur next time to check it out....
Posted via email from AURA QUE
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