Craftwork

A craftwork is an applied [ব্যবহারিক] form of art [কলা], a social and cultural [সাংস্কৃতিক] product reflecting [প্রতিফলন] the inclusive [অন্তর্ভুক্ত] nature of folk imagination [কল্পনা]. It, which usually doesn’t bear [বহন] the signature of its maker, retains [বজায়] a personal touch. It is shaped by the interaction [আদান প্রদান] of individual creativity [সৃজনশীলতা] and community aesthetics [নন্দনতত্ব], utility functions and human values. It is distinguished [স্বতন্ত্র] by its maker’s desire [কামনা] to locate himself or herself in the wider and ever-changing cultural aspirations [উচ্চাকাঙ্ক্ষা] of the community, and subsequently [পরবর্তীতে] of the market. Certain forms, shapes, styles and aesthetic preferences [পছন্দ] change little over time, suggesting that a craftwork can function as a stable [স্থিতিশীল] signifier [অর্থ বহন করে] of community values and desires over time. Mechanical and mass production take away this feeling of assurance [নিশ্চয়তা]. Traditionalists [ঐতিহ্যবাদী] contend [বিতর্ক] that the society needs to preserve the authenticity [সত্যতা] and naturalness of craftwork and, on the other hand, promoters [প্রবর্তক] of machine production argue [তর্ক] that the machine has helped restore [পুনর্বহাল] the appeal [আবেদন] of the crafts due to their cheaper production costs. Crafts that are disappearing can and should be revived [উজ্জীবিত], even where the machine has made the prospect [আশা] difficult. And crafts that are still practiced can be safeguarded [সুরক্ষিত] and consolidate [দৃঢ করা] their position further. This can be done by providing grants, loans, assistance and other support to the producers, and helping them find a comfortable customer base. But more importantly, craftwork can be branded and successfully marketed throughout [সর্বত্র] the country and beyond [এর বাইরে] as there are always buyers and users of handmade products who feel a strong attraction towards such cultural products.