Traditional artisans need encouragement and sales promotion for their hand-made products: Sadananda Gudiga

Traditional artisans need encouragement and promotion to boost sales of their hand-made products even as their production methods are transparent and inherited through generations, said Sadananda Gudiga, a traditional artisan from Keruvashe village in Karkala Taluk.

Mr. Gudiga, an expert in Kadegolu (wooden butter churner), among other products, regretted that handmade wooden Kadegols were now replaced by synthetically polished and machine-made ones that offer neither quality nor durability while highlighting the challenges faced by traditional craft communities.

Mr. Gudiga was one of the few resource persons participating in the two hands-on workshops on traditional basket weaving and Kadegol (wooden butter churner) making organised on the fifth day of the World Heritage Week celebrations by Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and Art Kanara Trust here on Sunday (November 23, 2025). The day-long sessions were held at the Kodial Guthu Centre for Art and Culture.

Babu Koraga from Kadthala in Karkala taluk, who is an expert in traditional basket weaving, added, “During COVID-19, our sales fell sharply. With help from a few kind-hearted people, we moved our products online and to farmers’ markets. But transporting them to distant melas is difficult. Support in transport, remuneration and basic facilities enables us to keep showcasing our work.“

Basket weaving was demonstrated by artisans Babu Koraga Kadthala and Ammi Koraga Kadthala, while Sadananda Gudiga Keruwashe and Prashant Gudiga Keruwashe led the Kadegolu-making session. Participants were introduced to the natural materials, hand tools and time-honoured techniques involved in both crafts.

The demonstrations covered wood selection, preparation of raw materials and the step-by-step crafting process. A range of handmade kitchen essentials and woven household products were also displayed and made available for purchase.

The workshops concluded with a lively interaction between artisans and attendees, many of whom purchased products in support of traditional craftsmanship. The programme began with an introduction of the artisans by Reshma Shetty, artist and life member of INTACH.