Personal Details
Hi! I am an artisan/manufacturer of lac bangles. I was born in Jaipur, Rajasthan. I have done my graduation in commerce. I am a 9th generation descendant of the Lakhera (Manihar) community. My ancestors are originally from Iran. They came to Amber at the behest of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh to start this art in Jaipur.
My father was a famous craftsman of lac craft. He was honored with four state awards, six national awards, and 7 international awards. I always feel proud to be his son.
Lac Bangles Making Skills
I started learning this great ancient art from my father at the age of 10. Gradually working with my father, I mastered the lac craft.
Lac Bangles Making Process
First, a large kadhai is placed on the coal furnace. Then Berja (Rosin) is heated in it. And when it starts melting, lac is added to it. Berja is a resin mixed with lac for softness. A little water is also added so that it can be stirred easily and then white soft stone powder (Giya Pathar) is added to the mixture to give it binding properties. After that, when the mixture cools down a little, then the dough is prepared by kneading it. This dough is rolled on a silli and a roll of lac is made. Lac roll can be used to make several lac coils of approximately 12 inches in length. The lac coil can be used to make lac hati or rang-hati.
Next, a 12-inch lac coil taken from the lac roll is rolled onto a wooden stick (hati), which is approximately 1 inch in diameter and 12 inches in length. This is known as Lac Hati.
Natural colors are mixed with lac coil, and a block of color is made. The colors used are dark green, dark magenta, dark blue, and dark yellow. By using these colors artisans can prepare more than 10000 different colors. This colored block is attached to a wooden stick and together they are known as Rang Hati (color block attached to a wooden stick).
Now both lac hati and rang hati are slightly heated together. Colors are applied on the lac hati with different rang hatis. A thin coil of lac is made from a colored lac hati with the help of a flat wooden sheet (hatta). The ends of the thin coil of lac are slightly heated and joined together to make a bangle. The bangle is placed on a rectangular block of wood (Khali) which has a thin vertical round cavity on each side. The coil is placed in the cavity and pressed. Finally, a thin metal wire is applied to strengthen and give shape to the circular lac bangle, and thus, a lac bangle is made.
Benefits
Lac craft is an age-old craft. This craft was also practiced during the “Mahabharata” period.
The products made by me are of 100% original lac. These bangles do not harm the skin and look very beautiful. Lac bangles are a symbol of prosperity for the new bride.
Specialization
With many years of experience in lac craft, I can make any design. I can also customize lac bangles as per the choice of the customer.
Experience
I have 32 years of experience in this wonderful craft.
Participation in Exhibitions
I have been participating in exhibitions since 2004. I have displayed my products in various exhibitions across India. These exhibitions were organized by Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Culture, RUDA, SARAS, East Zone Cultural Centre, West Zone Cultural Centre, North Zone Cultural Centre, South Zone Cultural Centre, and Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Awards
I received the State Award from North-Eastern Zone Cultural Center in 2008. In 2015, I received the Best Demonstration Award from the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. In 2019, I received the Best Performance Award from the Dastkari Haat Committee. In 2020, I got the award for Best Demonstration in “Ritu Beri Fashion.” In 2021, I was honored with the National Award by the Gargi Mahila Foundation. In 2021, I also received the honor of Asia’s Outstanding Achievement Award by the Government of India, and my name has been recorded in the India Book of Records. In 2022, I have been honored with Jaipur District Brand Ambassador Award, Jaipur Ratan Award, Bhupendra Hazarik Samman, and Rajasthan Gaurav Samman.
Training Programmes Conducted
I have trained people in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the UK in programs organized by DCH. I have also trained women’s groups in Hyderabad. So far, I have trained over 500 men and women in the art of making lac ware.
Future Plans
Lac art is 5,000 years old art. But now it is disappearing. That’s why I want more people to come forward and learn this craft so that this wonderful art does not become extinct. I want people to use lac products so that the art of our ancestors lives on for our future generations.
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