MANGALURU: The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in association with HECS-INTACH and the INTACH Heritage Club of Government High School, Manchi-Kolnadu, organised a one-day workshop on traditional basket weaving for rural school children at the Government High School, Manchi-Kolnadu, Bantwal Taluk on Saturday.Resource persons Shankar Koraga Gutthakadu, a traditional craftsman, and Supriya, a community educator, conducted the practical training through live demonstrations of basket weaving. A total of 67 students from seven schools in the Manchi cluster actively participated, working in groups and engaging enthusiastically in the creative process. Under the guidance of the experts, the children learned each step carefully and worked towards crafting beautiful creations.Subhash Chandra Basu, Convener of INTACH Mangaluru Chapter, said there is a pressing need to preserve and propagate traditional arts that were nurtured for generations. “We must identify skilled artisans from society’s grassroots and create opportunities for them,” he observed, adding that such efforts would help increase global demand for their crafts.Chief guest Devaki H., alumna and retired headmistress of Manchi-Kolnadu High School, said that skill-based training programmes for rural school children can open avenues for livelihood. “Programmes that enhance hand skills not only build confidence among students but also play an important role in preserving traditional crafts,” she said.School Betterment Committee President Shivashankar Rao Manchi said that training and guidance from capable resource persons stimulate creativity and self-expression among students. “Such extracurricular activities not only nurture intellectual growth but also contribute to the overall development of personality,” he noted.Among those present were Ramaprasad Rai Tiruvashe, President of the Alumni Association of Manchi-Kolnadu High School, INTACH Mangaluru Chapter coordinators Rajendra Kedige, Harish Kodialbail, Reshma Shetty, Sharvani Bhat, and faculty members of the host school. Copies of the ‘Young INTACH’ Heritage Club Newsletter were distributed to all the schools.In its mission to safeguard indigenous skills and pass them on to future generations, basket weaving, an ancient craft practised by tribal and rural communities, is among these endangered traditions. INTACH organised the basket weaving workshop to introduce students to this art form. The participating schools were Government High School, Manchi-Kolnadu; Noojibailu Aided Higher Primary School, Manchi; Government Higher Primary School, Kukkaje; Government Higher Primary School, Monthimaru; Government Higher Primary School, Puddottu; Government Higher Primary School, Ira; and Government Higher Primary School, Kadumata.
