Enactus is an international non-profit organisation of students that takes up social outreach projects. Since its establishment in 2007, student members have taken up community outreach projects to transform lives and shape a better world, using the power of entrepreneurial action. Some of the projects have been acclaimed at the national level for their potential to improve lives. Enactus SRCC has taken up 16 projects to date, of which 12 have been successfully completed and 4 are continuing.
About Project Virasat
The Craft Sector has always been the pioneer in displaying India’s deep tradition, the vast geography and rich history in a true sense. With beautiful designs, India’s Artisans carried a legacy of their land, culture and carved their art into forms that can be forwarded to generations. However, with industrialization, modernization, and mechanization, many craft forms have become extinct or are on the verge of dying. In order to preserve the Craft sector, India’s Untapped, ‘Made In India’ goldmine, we gave birth to Project Virasat which is an umbrella organisation to revive the struggling craft forms of India in a sustainable manner.
Project Virasat aims to uplift these craft forms in all possible aspects to maintain the dignity of the artisans, creating opportunities not only for them but also for their future generations that can safely carry on the craft form.
Usta Art
Usta art is a generic term used for the gold leaf embossing work done by Usta artisans from
the erstwhile Bikaner State in present-day Rajasthan, India. Usta is a professional caste of artists, and the word “Usta” derives from the Persian word of اﺳﺘﺎد” Ustad”, meaning master or skilled person.
History of the Craft
In Bikaner city, the USTA ART has been founded to be in the limelight and glorious heights since the 16th-17th century. Originally the so-called USTA ART, the Art of Golden Painting and embossing was brought to India by Mughal Emperors. They also brought with them a sect of artists in this art from Iran. This art came to the Indian Courts of Emperors at the very initial state that may be called its prime youth. After this rare and historical art reached India, the honour and pride of bringing this art to Bikaner goes to Former Ruler His Highness Rai Singh of Bikaner who was a general in the Court of Emperor Akbar and was a contemporary of Jahangir. After being highly impressed by these arts he requested that Akbar allow some of the experts in this art to work in Bikaner. By accepting this request he fulfilled Raja Rai Singh’s desire, Akbar sent seven Usta artists to work in the Court of Bikaner state. From metal to stone, the art of Usta is done by the master craftsmen of Bikaner on walls, ceilings, and pillars of forts and castles too.
The major manifestations of Usta art in Bikaner can be seen in such places as the Phool Mahal, Chandra Palace, Anoop Palace, and Karan Palace. Being part of the famous Junagarh fort of Bikaner, all these places have become synonymous with the identity of Usta art. Also, Rampuria Havelis, the Mazaar of Amir Khushro, Nizamudin Oliya, and Dargah Ajmer Sharif are some of the prominent locations where one can find the finest imprints of Usta art.
Despite the beauty of this art form, the artisans are finding it difficult to find the demand for the masterpieces, because of which the number of artisans has reduced significantly from around 100 in the past decade to a mere 10 currently. The current artisans are also leaving the craft and shifting to some other occupations because of a lack of demand, as people are unaware about the craft, so they don’t know the worth of the art pieces, so they are unwilling to pay for them.
Gaurahari Stonework
The stone-work artisans of Gaurahari village in Uttar Pradesh’s Mahoba district practice the renowned craft of Gaurahari stonework, wherein they make a wide range of handicrafts including statues, ornamental utensils, and utility products out of a naturally multi-colored stone called Gaura Pathar (a variant of Gorara Soapstone). The unique feature of this stone is its soft texture, radiance, and natural colors that make it suitable for such work.
The stone is quite rare and the good quality of this stone is only found only in the northern parts of India. Owing to the skill and excellence that the artisans possess, ‘Gaurahari Stonework’ has also been listed under the famous ‘One District One Product’ scheme of the Uttar Pradesh Government.
The Gaurahari Artisans have been bestowed upon with National Awards by President Ramnath Kovind and CM Yogi Adityanath for their outstanding contributions and dedication towards the craft. Once, over 70% of the village population was dependent on the craft form.
History of the Craft
The history of Gaurahari Stonework Artisans dates back to the 1800s when this craft was founded by Shri
Michchu Kesari Prasad while he was on a visit to Mahoba and he came across the mountain of ‘Gorara Soapstone’. After realizing the great potential of the raw material due to its unique texture and soft radiance he started making some idols from the unique stone which found a good market in the local areas.
Shri Michchu Kesari, then permanently settled in the village and laid the foundation of ‘Gaurahari Stonework’. He made some equipment using the resources he had to perfect the design of every product he made. Those equipment are still used by the Gaurahari Artisans to give a unique look to their products and are used only in the village of Gaurahari in India. Gradually, the whole village started taking interest in the craft form, and many people began to practice this craft.
Shri Michchu Ji had received various national awards for his outstanding work including an award from Shrimati Indra Gandhi herself. He was an avid devotee of Goddess Saraswati and spent the last moments of his life in meditation.
The legacy was then passed on to Shri Kalideen Vishwakarma Ji who trained the whole village in this craft and came to be known as the master artisan of ‘Gaurahari Stonework’. It was because of his efforts that the Gaurahari Artisans came to be known for their work throughout the country.
What separates Artisans of Gaurahari Village from the rest of Stonework Artisans is the design of their products that are not found in other parts of India. The love that these Artisans have for their craft was the prime motive behind carrying on the same for centuries and then passing them to their next generations.
However, the ban on the mining of Gorara Soapstone has led to the decline of the craft form. The artisans have been reduced from 200 to just 20 and a once-thriving craft is now on the verge of being extinct. Project Virasat, an initiative by the students of Shri Ram College of Commerce, SRCC aims to solve these problems for the Gaurahari and Usta artisans and are actively working to revive this languishing craft.
