Prepared by – Centre for Outreach and Strategic Alliances, TPCT, New Mumbai in association with Grameen Pragati Foundation, Mumbai. Organised by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

The Swawalamban Mela was organized by SIDBI (Small Industrial Development Bank of India) at Bandra Kurla Complex SIDBI premises on 28th and 29th November, 2019. The participants were mainly from Self Help groups supported by Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, Grameen Pragati Foundation, Centre for Outreach and Strategic Alliances, Self-sponsored artisans etc. Objective of the exhibition was to provide a platform to local artisans and to connect them with a variety of customer base.

About COSA

Centre for Strategic and Outreach Alliances (COSA) is the development research, training and consultancy platform of Terna Public Charitable Trust. In collaboration with the proposed Terna Global University (TGU), it has initiated an innovative Livelihood Project entitled “Opportunities for Youth Engagement (OYE)” which is being implemented nationwide.

Activities: 10 stalls were arranged in the premises. Following products were exhibited and put up for sale.

1. Madhubani Painting (Saree, Cloth pieces, wall painting etc.)

Madhubani, or Mithila, painting is a folk painting of northern India. It is mostly practiced by women in the villages who have passed this art to their daughters through multiple generations. They paint pictures of nature and mythology to depict different events like birth, marriage, and cycles of life. This stall was put up by SHG women from Bihar and Maharashtra. Price range of the Madhubani paintings varied from Rs.200 to Rs.15000.

2. Clay and Terracotta crafts

This is amongst the oldest and most widespread form of handicrafts. The raw material for this craft is ordinary clay, derived from the beds of water bodies like river, lakes and ponds. This stall displayed kitchenware used for domestic purposes.

3. Bamboo crafts by Tribal artists

Bamboo art from Chandrapur and Palghar were displayed. SHG from Chandrapur were supported by “Bamboo Research and Training Centre”, which is an autonomous organisation formed by Maharashtra Forest Department. The artist from Palghar, Pandurang Bhurkud (Age 34), was supported by Centre for Outreach and Strategic Alliances (COSA). The prices of Bamboo craft ranged from Rs.100 to Rs.1500.

4. Homemade food Products

Grameen Pragati Foundation in Collaboration with COSA connected three entrepreneurs from Shrivardhan, District Raigad. The food products being sold on this stall were Neer Jackfruit Papad, Banana Papad, Red Pumpkin Papad, Raagi, Rice, Poha Papad, ready to serve snacks, Kokum Juice etc.

5. Leather products

Office bags, laptop bags, lunch bags and other leather items were exhibited here. These products were sold under the brand name “Bag Adda”. Ramakant Gupta from Dharavi is a social worker who mobilizes these artists, brought in by COSA.

6. Jute Products-

Jute products such as table covers, office bags, etc. were displayed by an organization called Suadha which is based in Kolkata. These jute products were made by SHG’s affiliated to the NGO.

Impact/Outcome:

1. Most of the artists were from small places and which are not connected to wider markets.
2. Exhibition was largely focused on indigenous and traditional arts of people, however some innovative products like decorative items from waste material were displayed in the event.
3. Most customers were office members. Food products were in high demand.
4. Stalls sponsored by NGO, Government agencies were well organized in terms of marketing and sales strategy, only two stalls were accepting cashless transactions.
5. Women SHG’s are largely linked with traditional art such as Madhubani, Bamboo craft etc.
6. Products ranging from Rs.30 to Rs.200 had larger demand.
7. Most of the customers were expecting a cashless billing facility.
8. Artists with prior experience of participating in similar exhibitions were more confident and had developed their own sales and marketing strategies