RSK IITK workshop training to craft jewellery with clay, crochet | Kanpur News

Kanpur: More than 70 participants have enrolled for the 5-day jewellery-making workshop in progress at Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra, IIT Kanpur (RSK IITK), focused on artisans and youth coming from villages. The two workshops that began on Mar 16, are running in parallel—one on crafting jewellery with clay and the other with threads and crochet.RSK IITK has joined hands with well-known artist-groups of Gorakhpur for these unique workshops, involving 34 rural folk from traditional potter families. There are also students from nearby rural schools who get the opportunity to pick up new skills. Project executive officer of RSK, Rita Singh, said, “The trend of new generation of artisans moving away from a traditional craft has not spared pottery and this workshop aims to introduce crafts that are related to them. The idea is to inspire them and once they discover the joy of creating and designing, it will stay with them forever and pave way for earnings.”The other workshop, attended by 40 rural women using their existing knowledge of crocheting to create a new form of trendy thread jewellery-making has mostly budding entrepreneurs who wish to learn new techniques and styles and hope to go online for sales.Participants are learning use of tools and materials and picking up new techniques. One of the trainers, Vandana, said, “Some women are picking up very well and I can pair up with them to fetch larger orders”. Prof Sandeep Sangal of IIT Kanpur, who heads the centre, said they are on mission to facilitate formation of rural start-ups and micro enterprises by giving training and design inputs, while providing convergence with govt schemes and marketing guidance.Trainer of clay jewellery making Kalyani Kirti Singh says the trend of handcrafted jewellery has picked up fast and there is room for many more artisans. Her companion, Saroj, added that each jewellery set crafted is different and unique. “People like accessories that are eco-friendly, rooted in tradition and stylish and this craft offers it all,” she said.The workshop was inaugurated by chief guest Archna Soni, principal of Govt Girls Inter College, Singhpur, from where many girls are participating. Others present were Prof Archna Singh and Prof Rashmi Singh of the department of home science, CSA Agriculture University, Nalini Ram and designers associated with the centre.