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PROJECT VIRASAT
CRAFTING LIVES, REVIVING LEGACY
Project Virasat is an umbrella organisation that aims to revive the age old craft-forms of India. We started our journey by establishing P-TAL in an effort to revive the dying art form of handcrafting copper and brass utensils using hammering techniques, by mobilising artisans and providing them access to organised credit, contemporary designs and better demand avenues. Now, we plan to make Project Virasat a launchpad to provide opportunities to millions of craftsmen across India who are currently struggling to carry on their craft.
Our Journey so far
Virasat’s glorious journey had humble beginnings in Jandiala Guru, a small village in the city of Amritsar known for India’s only UNESCO listed craft form - The Thathiar craft of making brass and copper utensils by hammering.
In order to solve these issues, we, at Enactus SRCC initially, with the help of the District Administration of Amritsar, unified the thatheras into an SHG (Self Help Group) named Punjabi Thathera Art Legacy abbreviated as P-TAL, under which our products are also sold.
Current Craftforms
GAURAHARI STONEWORK
The artisans in Gaurahari village of Mahoba District practiced once a thriving and renowned craft of Gaurahari Stonework, wherein they made a wide range of handicrafts, out of a particular coloured stone called 'Gaura Patthar'. We plan to sustainably intervene in this craft cluster by providing access to the raw material from distant areas and simultaneously establishing market linkages for these craftsmen.
USTA CRAFTFORM
Usta art is the general term used to describe the art of Naqqashi and Mannoti practiced by artisans of the Usta community in the district of Bikaner, Rajasthan. The artisans are finding it difficult to find demand for the masterpieces, mainly because of old and outdated outdated designs, high prices of raw materials and lack of availability of good-quality wood in Bikaner.
Past Interventions
PICHVAI PAINTING
Pichvai Painting is one of the most ancient forms of art which was created depicting the beautiful life of Lord Krishna with its roots in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. We envision a 3-Phase development project including preservation and documentation of the artist's original paintings, market linkages and branding and development of the town of Nathdwara as a heritage site.
P-TAL
The Thathiar craft of making brass and copper utensils by hammering. Despite such recognition, the legacy which started 150 years ago with 500 artisans was reduced to a mere 30. We unified the thatheras into an SHG named P-TAL, under which our products are also sold. It was due to our sustained efforts that the craft form was relisted on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Step 1
Conducting Comprehensive
surveys
Step 2
Unification of Artisans and Design, Development and Training
Step 3
Establishment of Market Linkages
Step 4
Empowerment of Artisans and Replication of Business Model with other Craft Forms
Business Model
18.24 LAKHS
REVENUE GENERATED
Impact Generated
225%
Increase in artisans' monthly income
4
Languishing craft forms under the ambit of Project Virasat
91
Artisans directly
impacted
110
Entrepreneurs created
Rs. 19.2 Lakhs
Revenue generated for the artisans
1200 kg
Plastic Eliminated
Testimonials
मैं अपना व्यापार बंद कर, नौकरी करने की कगार पर था। पर विरासत के संपर्क में आने के बाद आज मेरे जैसे लगभ २० कारीगरों की आमदनी मुझपर निर्भर है।
I was on the verge of closing down my business and getting a job. But after coming in contact with Virasat, today about 20 artisans like me depend on me for their income.
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विरासत ने बहुत साथ दिया है मेरा, विरासत आगे भी बहुत अच्छा काम करेगी मेरा आशीर्वाद है।
Virasat has supported me a lot. Virasat will continue to do great work. My blessings are always with them.
विरासत ने मुझे एक नई पहचान दी है। विरासत ने मेरे बिजनेस को इस तरह से सपोर्ट और प्रमोट किया है, जिसके बारे में मैं कभी सोच भी नहीं सकता था। यह देखकर आश्चर्य होता है कि ये युवा दिमाग क्या कर सकते हैं। विरासत को हमेशा मेरा समर्थन रहेगा।
Virasat has given me a new identity. Virasat has supported and promoted my business in ways that I could never even think of. It’s surprising to see what these young minds can do. Virasat will always have my support.
ACHIEVEMENTS
We were invited by the Ministry of MSME to implement the scheme of SFURTI, a flagship project launched for crafts languishing due to lack of recognition, innovation, low-income status, and insufficient infrastructural facilities.
