Handmade in Thar

experiences working with artisans

Working with desert

communities since 1984
Health, Education,
Agriculture, Livelihood,
Child Rights
Service delivery, capacity
enhancement, rights &
advocacy
Qualitatively reaching over
25000 families in the Thar

Initiated crafts based

interventions during the
severe drought of 1987

As drought relief

Started working with weavers

of Phalodi/ Jaisalmer.
Expanded with the migrant
artisans from
Bahawalpur/Sindh

Today, over 2000 artisans are

part of the Urmul network

Majority of these are women

Already working with the second and
third generation of artisans for work
and design training

Three independent organisations

part of Urmuls artisans network

# Establishing artisanry as
livelihood with dignity
in desert
# Development of artisans
towards healthier, educated
and able families
# promotion of women
leadership in patriarchal
society
# Political and social
empowerment of the
communities margialised and
excluded
# Preservation & revival of
these arts specially in
embroidery

Way forward
# convergence with existing
government initiatives NRLM,
rajasthali,, RUDA, MGNREGA
# promotion of entrepreneurs
instead of producers
# Creating support structures
# Education integrated design training
# Design training & research,
documentation centres in different
parts of rajasthan with NGOs like
URMUL, SURE
# Develop Bikaner House, Delhi as
Rajasthan Crafts Center
# Developing Handmade in Thar as a
Rajasthan Handicrafts brand property
campaign, shows, design books etc