Through the corridor of tranquillity

View of the forest,Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary,Siliguri

Was that a scream of peacock? I made everybody silent to hear the screaming peacock. In the fascinating thicket of total silence, only the skittish movement of butterflies on the anther could be seen. Somewhere it was only the dripping sound of the water drops falling on the leaves and somewhere it was only the cricket`s call coming out of the vague visibility of the extreme core of the bushes with the reverberation, spreading all over in the kingdom of silence. Sometimes, like getting scared on envisaging the shadow of tuskers behind the camouflage of thick bushes, somewhere it was river Mahananda, where an eternal peace was felt, dousing the feet into the indefatigable fluvial flow of glacial cold water.

At the entry gate of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary,Siliguri

Saw the deer, that was kept in an enclosure, was busy in eating the fodder, repeatedly came back after it was released it in the core forest. Some thing was there in its innocuous dark eyes, was that a complaint against the rapacious civilization? Was a death threat? Or complaining of the apathy towards the shrinking wilderness and building blockade on the corridors of the wild animals? I am still asking myself.

The captivated wild at Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

The scenario of shading the shrivelled leaves by a gentle breeze, also bring the sound of forlorn whispers, of shrinking wilderness with increased urbanisation. The sound of frustrations comes in the murmurs of the withered leaves. Are we heading towards a civilization where the wild animals could be seen stuffed in the museums only? The espying alarm call of the deer coming from the deep forest made me alert, thinking of the multitudes of predatory animals. It was time to depart, from the vicinity of tranquillity and prayed to god for the fascinating scenic treasure to extricate it from the curse of getting shrunk. We took the road to home, the setting Sun spattered its lovely hue all over the sky, like it was set ablaze. It was an appeasing darkness in the forest, after truly “experiencing another world”.

The awareness Park at Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, through which the Toy train of Darjeeling, began its journey towards history. The train journeys give a feeling of a railway safari ride till the Sevoke through the hypnotic environment. Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary has an area, stretching over the hilly region of the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri district. Rich with the flora and fauna is spread over an area of 161 sq. Kms. and very close to Siliguri town.

In the World of Handicrafts

The spectacular Sun set, through the thicket was so engrossing that, when it was over, I discovered myself amidst a total darkness and the shutters of the handicraft centre of Aamar Kutir were likely to come down. Aamar Kutir Society for Rural Development located very close to the Shantiniketan of Birbhum. The centre was established before Indian independence and was providing a livelihood to several families, directly or indirectly involved with the society. Peeped through the window of the leather batik manufacturing unit and asked for their permission to enter and that was readily granted by the ardent workers who were tirelessly engaged in their work. The efforts of the workers even after a day’s hard work could be seen from their body language and they were not in mood to give up.

The tireless workers of Aamar Kutir,Shantiniketan,Birbhum

The warmth of their welcome was perceptible inside the room also. The arrangements for the leather batik centre, was all open to reveal its explicit techniques that modify a mere piece of leather into exotic handicrafts of glamorous colours.

Colour filling at Aamar Kutir center

The exploration began, to unfold the techniques of leather batik amongst some passionate workers, could not notice us or habituated with the visitors. The complete processes of leather batik comprise of few major steps. The leather pieces pass through the embossing unit where the traditional folk art or ethnic designs were imprinted, then the leather pieces were given specific shape, in the next part colour filling was done on application of some sorts of acid dye, then it was stitched and the finished products were stowed for the market. Unprompted stories or complete process of making of leather batik could be heard from the workers.

through the process at Aamar Kutir Batik center

The finished handicrafts were marketed within the premises and even exported. The manufactured products of diverse ethnic handicrafts were like galore of discriminating colours, from leather to cotton. The Batik of the Birbhum district adored worldwide, representing the ethos and rich heritage of India.

way to the market at aamar Kutir

In Shantiniketan, such small scale industries of handicraft were largely in existence and were even run by the local women from their home. The rural folks were also engaged in the venture and have generated a source of their income.

Batik print on sari,Shantiniketan

In Shantiniketan, I have visited the boutique of an energetic and innately talented old lady, was running her business from home. Her indubitable artistic works and creative ideas were reflected in every piece of her work. The exalting innovative ideas could be seen on design of kantha stitch, batik on cloth, and embroidery works, even the selection of colours, threads or everything were unique.