Araku workshops help tribal artisans hone traditional craft skills

At Musiriguda near Araku Valley, the day began with the soft rasp of bamboo being trimmed and split. Tribal artists watched as the craftsman from Chhattisgarh bent, tucked, and wove slender strips into shape, turning them into trays, flower holders and pen stands. The exercise was about discovering new forms and understanding how a familiar material could be given a contemporary expression.