About Artisans

Mr Bhupathi From an Artisan to an Entrepreneur

Meet one such artisan Mr Bhupathi, who make such toys and comes from a family of professional wood carving artisans. He learn this art from his father and thereafter under the guidance of learned scholar in the field. He has been active within India’s Fair Trade community and is himself an accomplished crafts-person. He originally learned wood carving and turning from his father Madhavachari, a state awardee. Madhavachari, a traditional wood craftsman, hailed from Tirupati, making temple chariots among other woodcraft. He, along with a few other artisan families, migrated to Bangalore in the 1960s, where they were trained by the Regional Design and Technical Development Centre.

After his marriage, Bhupathi was given responsibility of supporting his extended family. At the same time, he began to observe the business practices of retail agents in the community, and decided he wanted to bypass these intermediaries and create an organization that would benefit the artisans.

At the same time, he began to observe the business practices of retail agents in the community, and decided he wanted to bypass these intermediaries and create an organization that would benefit the artisans. Bhupathi then established Shilpa Trust in 1992.Shilpa Trust provides artisans with children’s educational assistance, free health check-ups, social security insurance, a loan program, skill training and product development. The artisans are based within small workshops, many of which are family owned and quite small. These workshops produce a variety of wooden products, including toys, games and ornaments. The Trust has a workshop located in Channapatna Craft Park in Channapatna town. Shilpa trains the craftspersons on how to use the new tools and in developing new designs to cater to the urban tastes and above all, enable them to market their goods profitably.

“Artisans should learn to change their mindset. Instead of blaming their circumstances, they should adapt themselves to the changing trends and requirements of the market,” says Bhupathi.

Yuvraj Bhupathi: ( Age: 43 years)

Yuvraj bhupathy is the manager of the shilpa trust and the factory is owned by his father. He lives with his wife and 2 daughters. He completed his education till ssc and he also have two sisters in his family who are studying right now. He came in this field when he was 15 years old. He also learn this craft from Local artisans. He belongs to vishwakarma cast. His father was the dealer firstly and now started his own production unit. They help there artisans with various health and education facility.

Right there are 10 people working in this unit. Here the customer gives the design to them and manufacture according to that. The product ranges from Rs 40 to Rs 12,500. Minimum 100 piece of order should be there. They used to import the wood from local market of channapatna and exports the toys in different countries. They are planning to start there business on Online platforms so that they can increase there revenue.

Sameer : ( Age: 36 years)

Another craftspersons behind this beautiful toys is sameer who leaves in channapatna with his family. They are 5 member in his family 2 sons, 1 daughter and wife. His children studies in government school. He daily works for 9 to 6 hours. He came in this industry with the help of his father. His father used to do this craft from 30 years. And now he and his elder brother both are in this field of making toys. He is also contributing in this field since 20 years. And works in shilpa trust since 7 years. He belongs to a Muslim community which grown up here in channapatna. His monthly income is approx 15000 Rs. In lockdown he and his family have suffer a lot because there were no facility from the government to them and they are not aware of any government schemes which is beneficial for him and his family. He works with lots of efforts and smile on his face.

Mohmmad Thaiyum : ( Age: 48 years)

Mohmad Thaiyum the another craftsman of shilpa trust which leaves in channapatna from birth. He took the education till 2 class in Kannada medium. He lives with his family (wife, one son and one daughter studying in primary and secondary school of government) His father used to do this work since 50 years and he and his brother used to work in this field. He is working since 30years and serving in shilpa trust from 8 years.

He belongs to a Muslim community and suffers lot in lockdown. He is not beneficial with any government schemes and not aware about that. He work 8 hours daily and his monthly income is 15000 Rs which is not sufficient for his family. He used to involve in every process from making piece of wood and lacquering and finishing. He is not wishing to come their children in this field he thinks that if they will get educated than they can leave with comfort and sufficient revenue. He works very hard every day and spent his entire life in this craft but he is not satisfied financially and they are called as worker or labour in the society not a craftman or artist. So the respect he should get from the society is not provided and thats the reason the want to educate his children instead of doing this craft.

Mohamad Nazim: ( Age: 38 years)

Mohmad nazim the another creative hands of shilpa trust who leaves in channapatna, works as a crafts person in shilpa trust. He lives with his wife and two daughter and one son. He took education till 7th class and started working in this craft in early age. His father was a General merchant and his brother is working in real state. Due to his interest in this craft he learn from master(ustad) and took the training of 1 year and from their he is working since 26 years. He used to work from morning to evening 8 hours of the day. And he get Rs 400 to 500 daily. He belongs to a Muslim Community. He is involved in every process from making toys to finishing that piece. He works with lots of enthusiasm and enjoys his job but he is not satisfied financially and not benefited with any government schemes.