KRV ALUMNI
KRV graduates play a key role in Kala Raksha’s quest to raise the value of art and artisan. Increased sales of graduates’ collections, their tapping new markets and taking artistic risks have been highly encouraging. KRV graduates have achieved recognition.
Chamanbhai: “Now I have my own name”
In 2008
the men alumni formed KARVADA, The Kala Raksha
Vidhyalaya Artisan Designers Association, as a
platform for marketing and development. The
organization was registered as a Society in 2013. Women alumni
began designer internships at Kala Raksha sponsored by
the COMO Foundation. This year, design interns are
sponsored by Reena and Neeru Nanda.
KRV Impact
In 2007, Ashoke Chatterjee, former Director, National Institute of Design (NID), evaluated the Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya program. The thorough analysis of the project has been the
basis of a plan for scaling up the institute. A copy
of the evaluation and scaling up plan are available on
request.
In 2010, Kala Raksha began a survey of graduates.
In March 2011, a follow up Assessment
of women graduates from 2006-2010 was prepared, including products designed over
the years, and the work of COMO sponsored design interns. With the exception of
artisans impacted by major industry, women graduates of KRV have clearly been
able to increase their income after completing the course, from 4% to six times.
Women have gained self confidence, emerged as distinct individuals with
recognized capabilities. This favors them being chosen to participate in
internships, workshops, interactions with guests, and exhibitions, and a
mutually reinforcing professionalism has developed among the graduates. This
report is also available on request. In 2012, the survey of male
graduates was updated. Excerpts follow:
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100% of artisan graduates have benefitted from the
course. All have gained a new perspective for their
craft, and learned to be open minded and observe
design in everything they see.
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100% of KRV graduates have gained confidence in
terms of understanding the requirements of clients,
creating new designs based on themes, and
experimenting with colours and materials.
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56% of KRV graduates have grown in their designing
capabilities.
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25% of KRV graduates have started their own
independent businesses post graduation.
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9% have helped their family businesses take new
directions.
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13% have had an increase of 10% to 20% in income.
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7% have had an increase of 21% to 40% in income.
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7% have had an increase of 40% to 60% in income.
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5% have had an increase of 61% to 80% in income.
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5% have had an increase of 100% in income.
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9% had an increase of 300% in income.
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100% feel that the campus of the Vidhyalaya should
be shifted from its present location.
The full report is available on request.
“I continue to use colour and
concept class inputs. I make use of telling a story
through my work. If I am inspired by something, I try
and see different variations, products and layouts
through that inspiration. I have begun making saris,
and enjoy that. I feel saris are a beautiful dress
for women and an identity of India, and my best sales
are in saris. Batik should become recognized as a
craft of Kutch, and if this is supported thru KRV it
would be great.” - Anwar Hussain Abdul Rajaqbhai
Khatri, 2010
"The KRV initiative is great. We
are where we are because of this idea. The monopoly of
the older artisans was broken and today small artisans
are being recognized and are becoming successful at
business if they are interested.”
- Suleman
Umarfaruqbhai Kahtri, 2008
“Before taking the KRV course I was
doing job work for another artisan and I hardly knew
much about my craft. But I knew the technique, so now
I can both design and produce. I have started on my
own, and now I am making designs for the local market
and for designer markets.” - Abdulla Eliyas Khatri,
2009
“Many people are shifting to screen
printing. Most of the garment makers are using screen
printed Ajrakh, as it is cheaper for them. Even our
regular block print customers who made garments with
our fabrics are feeling the pinch. But through the
KRV course I have recognized that there is a separate
market interested in craft, and after the course I
have made products targeted at these clients.”
- Irfan Anwar Khatri, 2006
“After my experience at KRV, I know
more about the traditional aspects of the craft, and
how to make new designs. I now have better speaking
ability. and my confidence to speak and market has
developed."
- Nomam Haji Abdul Jabbar Khatri,
2011
“KRV is a great idea. With my
education here I have been able to change my life
around. I especially enjoyed the Basic Design course.
We learned to make different layouts and hence can
continuously keep changing our designs and keep our
customers happy". - Puroshottam Premji Vankar, 2008
“It was
challenge for us to do something new in our craft.
Earlier we were afraid of what would happen with our
craft and livelihood. But now all the fears have gone
forever. We make new designs, new products and have
received good markets.”
- Murji
Hamir Vankar, 2008
“My weaving
earned me only Rs. 2000 or 2500 per month and I was
going to stop weaving and join a factory to earn at
least Rs. 3000 to 4000 per month, but suddenly KRV
gave me an opportunity…We wove just by copying others;
now we prepare products looking to the needs of the
customers, seasons and even the country to which they
belong.” Ramji Hirabhai
Maheswari, 2008
“The most
important thing I has learned from Kala Raksha is love
for my craft.”
- Rajesh
Vishramji Siju, 2009
“Stepping into KRV, we started using our brains.” -
Tejuben Soma Rabari, 2007
“Earlier we got threads and fabrics and did the embroidery any way. In the class we learned many things and the Ahmedabad visit was an amazing experience of my life.”
- Halimabai Jat, 2009
“I have come out of my shell through Kala Raksha. Earlier I was too shy to speak and now I can address a large audience.”
- Varshaben Pratap, 2007 |
