Continuing the tradition and promoting the art, the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal in coordination with the government bodies is organizing the 13^th Handicraft Trade Fair & 14^th Handicraft Competitions at Bhrikutimandap on November 14, 2018.

This fair, also supported by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Supply and Trade & Export Promotion Centre, aims to develop and promote the domestic handicraft market.

With ‘Handicraft: Prospects for Prosperity’ as the slogan, the organizers are keen on developing this trade fair as a business hub for handicraft among SAARC regions.

The fair will feature around 200 stalls in the exhibition including those from the district association and commodity association, FHAN informed in a press release.

Besides, there will also be 20 stalls for international handicraft traders from SAARC countries: India, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Competitions, Presentations, Announcements…

The 13^th trade fair will have on display a wide varieties of wood & metal crafts, gold & silver jewellery, woollen, cotton & Dhaka products, natural fibre & bamboo, among various other handicraft products.

As part of the trade fair, FHAN will showcase handicraft products made by locals belonging to more than 45 FHAN-affiliated districts, entrepreneurs of goods association and small cottage entrepreneurs.

Besides the trade fair, the organizers are also presenting the 14^th handicraft competition with the core objective of recognizing and felicitating talented artists. Wax statue and Dhaka stitching are going to be conducted under handicraft competition in the fair.

Alongside programs, the fair will also feature discussion programmes on contemporary issues pertaining to the handicraft sector.      

As part of the fair, various companies are going to announce their product line-up for the 2019-20 period. Various other interesting aspects such as variety of food dishes and costumes from different cultures and communities form the highlights of the trade fair.

To be inaugurated by President Bidya Devi Bhandari, the trade fair will also see the announcement of Lalitpur Metropolitan as the ‘Craft City’ at the inaugural event.

Sector with High Scope

Handicraft sector means a lot for Nepal majorly because of its ability to contribute to the Nepali export basket.

The domestic market holds handicraft demand worth NPR 10 billion, which is also similar to what country exports to world nations as handicraft exports. As of now, Nepali handicraft products exports cater to the requirements of more than 25 global markets including USA, Europe, China and India.

More than 1.1 million population are getting direct and indirect employment from the handicrafts industry, which is also a key contributor to eliminating poverty in Nepal.   

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You do not have to think much because life’s most beautiful lies in the daily, ordinary and in the simplest of things that exist around us and so is the case with Nepal!

Nepal finds pride in its rich heritage and culture brought down through years which is represented through art and every piece of handicraft it creates.

Nepali market streets present a wide variety of handicrafts that speak volumes of Nepali artisans’ craftsmanship, thus attracting tourists, art enthusiasts and people who’d love to adorn their homes with these handicrafts. With a wide range of specialization using different elements, Nepalese handicrafts are sure to catch your eyes.

With allo products, dhaka, pashmina, paubha, silver jewelry, wood carving, metal utensil, paper, macrame’ metal statues, and many more Nepal’s arts caters to the interests of a diverse population.

Allo

In a world that buys what it gets and has hardly any time to keep up with traditional old times and at the least, stay connected with nature. Nepal makes it a reality as evident in its wide range of eco-friendly products such as fiber-made Allo. Found in the forests of Nepal, the Allo or Sisnu grows at an altitude of 1200 to 3000m. The fibres of this plant are spun to produce jackets, porter’s headbands or straps, fishing nets, ropes, bags, sacks, mats and blankets in the remote villages, especially in Kulung Rai of Nepal. These items are marketed in Kathmandu and are also exported to countries like USA and Japan.

Dhaka

Originated in Bengal, the art of Dhaka weaving is actively practised in the Palpa region of Kathmandu and in Tehrathum, in the eastern hills of the Himalayas. Since many years, Dhaka craftsmen from the eastern and western development regions from Nepal weave pure cotton with specifically created wooden handloom to produce a vibrant variety of saris, shirts, shawls, handkerchiefs and more.

Dhaka clothing is outlined by geometrical print and vibrant coloring. Men from the Chhetri community mostly wear clothing with Dhaka print (Daura Surwal) on their wedding day. The usage of Dhaka has become very significant in recent times, for example, the Dhaka caps or topis are worn for religious ceremonies with regards to births and deaths. The traditional Dhaka Daura Surwal is also donned by the Newars while performing funeral rites.

Pashmina

So, what is Pashmina? Now, we’ve heard this word in a song, in poetry and in some literature too. Well, Pashmina is the fur of the Himalayan goats known as Chyangras. Nepal is famous for Chyangra Pashmina manufacturing and is recognized and registered among the 47 countries with a Trade Mark of Pashminas of Nepal. As per 2000-2001 statistics, Pashmina contributed to 18.4% of the total overseas exports.

Paubha 

Kathmandu is known as the land of temples and is home to one of the most talented artisans and craftsmen of Nepal.

The natives of Kathmandu, the Newars have strong religious beliefs which are reflected in their paintings called Paubha/Thangka. Paubha is a painting done on cloth using paint that includes gold, lapis-lazuly or mercury-oxide.

The entire history and the lives of deities are depicted on this piece of cloth. This tradition dates to 1365 AD when the Vasudhara Mandala was first discovered.

Silver Jewelry

The art of silver jewelry making in Nepal dates to the 6 ^th century. Skilled silversmiths from the Shakya, Bajracharya and Sunar families have maintained the art of creating silver jewelry in Nepal. Patan or Lalitpur is among the three historical cities of the Kathmandu valley that have one of the most reputed and fine silversmiths in Nepal. These artisans keep up with changing trends by creating silver jewelry with westernized designs. Nepali silver jewelry is of high demand in the West and has contributed to about 13.25% of Nepali handicraft exports last year.

Wood Carving

Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur are home to the specialists of wood carvings. The Newars, a multi-talented people, have been following the practice since the 12th century. The range of woodwork done by the craftsmen include wooden statues, doors, sculptures and other artistic crafts. The historical carvings in the Kathmandu valley are a visual treat.

Metal Utensil

Nepali holds an expertise in metal crafting. The crafts are produced totally by hand with traditional technologies like hand hammering and hand casting. These metal crafts are produced by household units clustered around the city of Lalitpur (Patan). The art of metal crafts includes statues of popular motifs of Hinduism and Buddhism and utensils for regular use. The metal statues of Nepal are very popular among other metal crafts.

Long Live Traditional Art!

Most of the handicraft practices in Nepal have been passed on from generations to generations. But the younger generations are beginning to shift their focus to other kinds of jobs to sustain family life.

Also, to keep up with the changing trends and bring in innovation, Nepal has put its footsteps into contemporary art and handicraft. Some of its modern art include floor covering, modern painting, patina products, felt crafts, puzzle toys, macramé leather handbags and more.

The Nepali handicrafts industry not only practices and preserves age-old tradition and culture in the country but also is a driving force in eliminating poverty by creating innumerable job opportunities, especially for women. Production associations and groups like the Shree Mahila Utthan Pashmina Udhyog in Kathmandu have a group of about 30 employees out of which 50% are women.

At present, Nepal’s handicrafts are among the largest exported items of the country and more than 20 handicraft products are being exported to about 85 countries across the world.

The largest being the USA which has a hold on about 25% of the handicrafts totally exported. Other major countries include Britain, India, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, Australia, Netherlands, and China. This creative industry is home to about 916,852 citizens of the country, with the country’s capital Kathmandu, recording an employment rate of 89,548 in this sector. With the rise in the sale of handicrafts being sold online these days, the purchase of Nepali handicrafts is seeing a high.

Long live Nepali handicrafts, keep treating your creative eye with some beautifully-crafted pieces of art!

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The five-day event, held during November 17-21, 2017, witnessed a participation of around 108,000 visitors.

This fair organized by the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) featured 200 stalls, 10 pavilions and various handicrafts from around 25 districts of Nepal. The Poverty Alleviation Fund showcased 13 products of 10 districts.

In his address at the closing ceremony, FHAN President, Dharma Raj Shakya said, “Handicraft sector has played a vital role in economic development and has also provided employment opportunities to alleviate poverty.”

Stating that Nepal’s handicrafts exports over the first three months of the current fiscal year are on a positive trend, Dharma Raj informed that the country exported handicrafts worth around Rs 5 billion in the last fiscal year.

“The development of infrastructure, projects and programmes focused on export-oriented products can boost the economy and expand the handicraft business in every village,” he opined.

According to FHAN, the Nepali handicraft sector employs around 1.2 million people directly or indirectly.

FHAN has been organizing the Handicraft Trade Fair since 1991 with aim to promote traditional and contemporary Nepali art, culture and crafts.

The fair saw the participation of businessmen and traders from 25 Nepali districts.

Craft Competition for Youth

Alongside the handicrafts fair, the 13^th Craft Competition was also held with an objective to encourage and attract young people towards the handicrafts sector.

While a total of 41 candidates took part in the competition, three received cash rewards for their products exhibited at the fair.

Nepali handicraft products have huge demand in the national and international market. FHAN exports more than 50 different types of handicraft products to almost 80 countries.

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