Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra (SKKK) had its beginnings when twelve local Lambani women, from the thanda of Susheelanagar, were brought together to work as a group. The year was 1984 and this modest initiative heralded the start of a significant change in the lives of not only the Lambanis, but also other traditional crafts people who lived in and around Sandur.
Today, about 500 artisans work with SKKK. It has helped twenty self-help groups to become active. And local craftspeople are benefiting from, and growing with the organisation.
SKKK's objectives were manifold :
Initially, activities of the Kushala Kala Kendra were supported by SMIORE whose infrastructure and marketing support along with the emphasis they placed on design innovation and consistent Excellence of Quality have enabled SKKK to become self-sufficient. And have extended the reach, scope and popularity of its products, to everyone's benefit.
Today, about 500 artisans work with SKKK. It has helped twenty self-help groups to become active. And local craftspeople are benefiting from, and growing with the organisation.
SKKK's objectives were manifold :
Initially, activities of the Kushala Kala Kendra were supported by SMIORE whose infrastructure and marketing support along with the emphasis they placed on design innovation and consistent Excellence of Quality have enabled SKKK to become self-sufficient. And have extended the reach, scope and popularity of its products, to everyone's benefit.
Encouraging the revival of indigenous crafts
Ensuring a better life for the people who made them
Finding new markets and making the crafts more relevant to modern tastes.
The major activities of Sandur Kushalakala Kendra are:
Lambani Embroidery : The Sandur town and the nearby villages have a dominant community of the Lambani tribe who excel in the needle craft which is their tradition. SKKK had successfully been able to train Lambanis from Sandur and nearby villages, and today they all work for the organization.
The Kushala Kala Kendra believes in limiting this Banjara craft to their tribe alone. Today we have about 300 Lambanis working for the organization who are helped with design development and marketing to keep their traditional craft alive.
The Kushala Kala Kendra believes in limiting this Banjara craft to their tribe alone. Today we have about 300 Lambanis working for the organization who are helped with design development and marketing to keep their traditional craft alive.
Dyeing : Sandur KushalaKala Kendra has managed to have its own dyeing unit which does natural and chemical dyeing.
Natural dyes include:
The Kendra also does block printing which has some traditional blocks of the lambani tribe. These prints and fabric is used for some unique products
Natural dyes include:
The Kendra also does block printing which has some traditional blocks of the lambani tribe. These prints and fabric is used for some unique products
| Color Name(Hindi) | Color Name (English) |
| Indigo | Blue |
| Anar | Yellow |
| Alizarine | Red |
| Katha | Brown |
| Iron Ferrous Sulphate | Maroon |
| Suppan Wood | Khaki |
Khadi (Weaving and Spinning) : Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra has a successful unit of Khadi (Spinning and Weaving) comprising of 200 crafts people from three different villages in the region - Yeshwanthnagar, Krishnanagar and Sandur.
Spinning is done on the Amber Charkha while handlooms are used to weave the yarn into Khadi fabric. This production unit has been recognized by Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Mumbai..
Spinning is done on the Amber Charkha while handlooms are used to weave the yarn into Khadi fabric. This production unit has been recognized by Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Mumbai..
Sculpting in Stone & Working with Wood : India has a rich tradition of sculpture in stone. The skill, imagination and inspiration of generations of Indian sculptors is evident in temples across the country.
Karnataka is home to some of the best examples of sculpture in the world. Stone craft at Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra includes:
Sculptures of Deities
Carved panels
Garden pieces
Tiles
Paper Weights
Pen Stands and more.
The tradition of wood carving is an essential and enduring part of India's cultural history. Woodcraft is seen in temple chariots and sculptures; statues; carved doors, pillars, posts and gateways; furniture; and toys, puppets and masks.
Woodcraft was considered both an important art and valuable trade. In continuation of tradition, sculptors at SKKK apply chisel to wood to create everything from religious statues to elegant, decorative tableware.
Karnataka is home to some of the best examples of sculpture in the world. Stone craft at Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra includes:
Sculptures of Deities
Carved panels
Garden pieces
Tiles
Paper Weights
Pen Stands and more.
The tradition of wood carving is an essential and enduring part of India's cultural history. Woodcraft is seen in temple chariots and sculptures; statues; carved doors, pillars, posts and gateways; furniture; and toys, puppets and masks.
Woodcraft was considered both an important art and valuable trade. In continuation of tradition, sculptors at SKKK apply chisel to wood to create everything from religious statues to elegant, decorative tableware.
Crafts from Natural Fibers : Cane, grass, reeds and fibres make the perfect material to craft a range of items.
They have many virtues:
- they are strong and flexible
- environmentally friendly
- light weight
- durable and
- easy to maintain.
They are also available locally. Fibrous plants like Sisal are grown along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, near Sandur. Craftspeople at Skkk create a range of utility and decorative products from these versatile materials.
They have many virtues:
- they are strong and flexible
- environmentally friendly
- light weight
- durable and
- easy to maintain.
They are also available locally. Fibrous plants like Sisal are grown along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, near Sandur. Craftspeople at Skkk create a range of utility and decorative products from these versatile materials.
Activities
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