Jharkraft: Kolkata gets Jharkhand’s handloom and handicraft outlet

Kolkata witnessed the opening of ‘Jharkraft’, a government-run outlet aimed at showcasing Jharkhand’s rich handloom and handicraft heritage, on Wednesday, May 13.

The showroom has come up on Theatre Road, close to the Saturday Club, and is expected to serve as a platform for promoting traditional products crafted by artisans from the neighbouring state.

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Jharkhand’s Minister for Labour, Planning, Training & Skill Development and Industries, Sanjay Prasad Yadav inaugurated the emporium in the presence of Arwa Rajkamal, Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Jharkhand, and Garima Singh, Managing Director of Jharcraft.

At the outlet, visitors will come across a wide range of collection of garments made from natural fibres, such as shirts, sarees and kurtas designed to suit the region’s humid summer conditions. Also on display are handwoven pure wool shawls crafted by skilled artisans.

Other major attractions include Dokra, the traditional metal craft known for its intricate motifs and painstaking handmade detailing as well as a range of handcrafted decorative items and textiles reflecting Jharkhand’s indigenous artistic traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Prasad Yadav said the state government was committed to expanding the market for traditional handloom and handicraft products. “The market for handloom and handicrafts is stronger than ever before. We want to promote Jharkhand’s products in every possible way. Our outlets in Delhi and Mumbai have received encouraging response, and we are hopeful that the Kolkata store will also perform well,” he said.

Further, the state minister noted that the sector holds considerable potential in terms of employment generation and revenue growth. He added that nearly 25,000 artisans are directly associated with Jharkraft at present, while the number is expected to grow further with expanding market opportunities.

Garima Singh, Managing Director of Jharcraft, said the initiative would help strengthen the cultural and commercial ties between Jharkhand and West Bengal while creating wider market access for artisans and handcrafted products from the state.

With the launch of the Jharcraft Emporium in Kolkata, Jharkhand has now taken another major step towards bringing its rich artistic traditions to a wider audience. The initiative is expected not only to boost visibility for indigenous crafts and handloom products, but also to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for thousands of artisans whose skills continue to preserve the state’s cultural identity.