Traditional Art Forms Sustaining Poor in the City

Her heartfelt smile invited me to start a chitchat session. But it was her sheer talent at her job that left me flabbergasted. I saw her at Dilli Haat where she sells self-made Papier Mache art-pieces. From attractive utility items like pen stands, paper weights, envelopes boxes and jewelry boxes to decorative artifacts like animal and bird figures, she has a wide range of products.

Originally from Bihar, Puneeta Devi resides in Delhi to earn her livelihood. She moved to Delhi in order to support her family financially and now it’s been more than 15 years. Her family including four kids and a husband are also involved in the business. Her children assist her backstage in making art-pieces. At Dilli Haat, famous for its traditional artwork, she works with her brother who has his own shop of Madhubani paintings. Although she sells her stuff here but her random business visits to ongoing art fairs in and around Delhi help her fetch some more clients. While talking to her further, I could feel her pain in trying to make ends meet every day. She told that Papier Mache is a less recognized art in India and there are times when she sells nothing.

For many of us who don’t know about Papier Mache, here comes the basic information of its meaning and origin. 

Papier Mache or Paper Mache is a French word meaning “mashed or chewed paper”. It is a composite material consisting of soft paper pieces, hardened with textiles, bound with an adhesive, such as starch or glue.

Papier Mache as an art form originated during 105 A.D from China; the inventors of paper itself. According to studies, they used Papier Mache to make helmets of all things, which they toughened by many layers of lacquer. From China, the interest in the art passed on to Japan and Persia, where it was used in mask-making and festival activities before it eventually spread across the globe.

Undoubtedly the Moguls contributed a lot to Indian art, but one of their greatest contributions was to introduce Papier Mache to Indian craftsmen. This art was greatly favored by Mogul emperors who came from Central Asia in the 15th and 16th century and ruled India for almost 200-300 years.

After much evolution, today, it has become extremely stylized with the use of real gold and silver paint and by the addition of intricate decorations. The designs of Kashmiri Papier Mache, generally in the form of flowers and birds, have a strong Persian flavor. The Papier Mache artifacts are usually made in every Indian village but that of Bihar are famous, in particular, due to its painting style. Artisans of Bihar make beautiful crafts with colourful paintings on them. The most interesting fact about the art form is that it is considered as a great recycle craft and serves as good means of business for many poor and landless people across India.

10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ZARA

1- ZARA is a Spanish clothing and accessories retailer. Founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera, the brand rapidly became a leader in Spanish fashion. Today it is one of Spain’s most popular clothing brands and its stores can be found all over the world.

2- Amancio Ortega, the owner of ZARA is the richest person in Spain and the second richest person in all of Europe. In March 2014, Amancio Ortega was ranked as the third richest person in the world by Forbes with a net worth of USD $64 billion. Strangely Ortega has never given a public interview, and in contrast to his work in the world of fashion is generally seen in a pair of blue jeans and a T-shirt.

3- The brand’s name was actually a fluke. Reportedly it had to be “Zorba” but due to some copyright issues, it could not happen. Declining pricey new moulds, a new name had to come from those already cast. Paradoxically, Spain is the only country in which ZARA is pronounced not “Zah-rah”, but “Tha-ra.”

4- With little to no advertising, ZARA has managed to become a multi-billion dollar brand. The company spends almost nothing on advertising and gives preference to invest a percentage of revenues in opening new stores instead. The little it spends goes to strengthen its identity as a clothing retailer; low-cost but high fashion. It does not even engage in showy promotions. But yes, the brand invests lavishly in the beauty, historical appeal and location of its stores.

5- The first online boutique for ZARA was launched by Inditex on September 6, 2010. The website started catering its online services in Spain, the UK, Portugal, Italy, Germany and France—six countries that were among the then most important of the company’s 76 markets.

6- Amazingly the brand requires just 2 weeks to develop a new product and get it to stores, compared to the six-month industry average, and launches around 10,000 new designs each year. The success of the brand also lies in the fact that it produces where it sells. This attains short lead times for new fashion ideas.

7- At the headquarters in Spain, sales of each piece are watched, designers make new things according to the sales, and window displays are created on a mock storefront that is on a life-size street. Interestingly design collections are created by creative teams rather than groups of designers.

8- New collections are brought into the stores twice a week, and since there are not many of each item, it makes them appear exclusive.

9- Each collection of ZARA often sells out. The company strategically opens stores in heavily trafficked, high-end retail areas where a sense for style is sharpen and wallets are wide open. 

10- The most astonishing fact about ZARA is that the brand has managed to win over the fashionistas as well as the masses. From Hollywood to Bollywood, the brand is loved by all. Moreover Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge also has a strong inclination towards the brand. Kate Middleton has been recognized frequently in using ZARA. Interestingly the day after her wedding to Prince William, Kate stepped out in a cornflower blue, pleated polyester £49.99 ZARA dress. This proves that ZARA is one of Middleton’s options for performing the best fashionable look.

Bohagi Utsav 2014

A group of lovely girls and exuberant guys of AASA (All Assamese Students’ Association) were seen performing Bihu dance in the Bohagi Utsav. The Bihu dance is a folk dance from the Indian state of Assam associated with the festival of Bihu. This joyous dance is distinguished by brisk dance steps, and rapid hand movements. While performing this dance, dancers wear traditionally colorful Assamese clothing.

Bohagi Utsav 2014- Dilli Haat

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Assamese community recently celebrated Bihu festival with the support of AASA (All Assamese Students’ Association) by organizing the 6th Bohagi Utsav in Dilli Haat, New Delhi. This splendid event was attended by many renowned personalities from the Assamese community. The venue was jam-packed with the excited Assamese youngsters, veterans and many audiences to see the beauty of Bihu festival.