Craft Tourism Village, Mahewa

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Craft Overview Mahewa Naini in the district Prayagraj, is known for its work on the wild grass commonly known as “Moonj Craft .The origin of Moonj Craft has nearly 60 to 70 years of traditional history in Prayagraj . Where 90% of the womenfolk are involved in Moonj Craft.

The Artisans belong to Muslim community locally. Initially the Kaasa grass is dried and it is wrapped with the Moonj grass by rolling around Kaasa. The motifs of basketry are created by adding colored grass in between. Prayagraj , Gorakhpur and Behraich in Uttar Pradesh are the major centers for Moonj crafts. The products are mainly exported to major cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Banaras, and Kanpur for the marketing purpose.

Source: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Prayagraj,+Uttar+Pradesh/!

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Background Mahewa Naini is a small village/hamlet in Karchhana Block in Prayagraj District of Uttar Pradesh State, India Distance from Prayagraj Junction NH35 is Approx.

37km . Located in Meja Tehsil of Prayagraj District in Uttar Pradesh, India. The total Geographical Area of Village is 52.61 hectares. Mahewa Naini is a small Village and connected to Yamuna River . Mahewa Naini is popularly known for Moonj Craft Coiling basketry technique is used by rural women in Prayagraj , No of Artisans are approx. 400-500 where they can earn 300-400rs. Per day from Moonj craft . The community is based on Pukka Houses.

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Project Vision Mahewa Naini known for its work on the wild grass commonly known as “Moonj Craft” has been chosen for development as craft village, an epitome of art, craft place for the tourist attraction of the city. It resides hundreds of artisan, would receive a major facelift and a theme based design concept implemented for the visitors and the local craftsmen Innovative approach to bringing newer talents and connecting traditional crafts with modern consumers. The atmosphere of the Crafts Village is proposed to provide a contextual sense to the visitors and establish a connection with the locals .

Increasing Tourist Inflow rate

Providing a Permanent Platform and integrated support to Artisans improving the Socioeconomic conditions of Artisan

Creating an identity and Increasing the quality of life Bringing livelihood opportunities to the local.

Promoting Craft Capacity building and training

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Project identification

Community chowk Creating an experiential center by making it a public space , demonstration zone and display area

Transit node 1 Proposal of mural for an aesthical appeal .

Yamuna River Proposing ghat as a recreational zone

Transformer Chauraha is the main entrance gate for the people who come from the Prayagraj route

Renovating a façade at Project Area Boundary

Installation Landmark at Chauraha installation with Water ATM

Karamat Chauraha Design a mural for an aesthetical appeal .

Transit node 2 Design a mural installation for a visitors and it acts as transit gate for visitors who come from the Banaras

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Survey Based on Focus Group Discussion during primary Visit Division of Work based on Gender

Women (in their leisure time ) Men worked in marketing More than

50%

Production Generating Revenue

Craft work produced in Mahewa Naini Vs Craft generating revenue

of Mahewa ,

Naini’s population is involved in Craft work

25% earn from the craft :Spaces need to be design Workspace for the craftsmen Demonstration area Display gallery Common facility center

Moonj grass craft is basket weaving from Mahewa Naini , Prayagraj , Uttar Pradesh.

It has a rich history and has been practiced by women of Muslim community since 60-70years.

It got commercialized when the British came in Moonj product s used to be exhibited and sold out at institute of agriculture technology and science .

Source : https://www.coroflot.com/shivanisaran/Craft-Documentation-Moonj-Basketry-in-Prayagraj

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Development of streets of Mahewa

Heritage Light

Installation at Karamat Chauraha

Benches/Plant ers/Dustbins

Entrance Gate at Khan and Karamat Chauraha

Wall Mural

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Development of Entrance Surrounding

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Development of Community Chowk 1 3

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Major Functions of Public Spaces:

Open sitting space

2 Work shed for the craftsmen

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Open display area of moonj

Existing Photographs

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Circulation Plan Descriptive wall 2 Information about craft , its importance , craft history

Descriptive wall 1 Visitor get to know about history of Prayagraj , history of Mahewa Naini and community chowk

Descriptive wall 3 Projector wall Give a information of the process of moonj

Descriptive wall 4 Creating a craft wall for the craftsmen to display their work

Demonstration zone

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Skirting of 300x300mm printed wall tile of thk.6-10mm

Motif (inspired by Soorajmukhi pattern in moonj )

lime paint finish of (lemon chiffon)

Residential board

Stucco band

House Beautification of Artisan

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About Node Urban Lab We are an interdisciplinary team comprising architects, designers and urban experts who collaborates, connects and creates. Node Urban Lab is the ultimate outcome of the interweaving of the various threads of a project to bring about design and innovation.

Node Urban Lab has started its journey with a vision to make earth a symposium of creativity, innovation and design.

We embrace new technologies, build new designs and craft with a focus on computational design and its flaw-less fabrication.

We believe in converting constraints to opportunities and envisage flexible solutions that anticipate future change. We establish the vision, identify the means, and develop a framework for action with an aim of generating long-term economic, social, and environmental value for clients and communities.