Date:20/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/20/stories/2006092006630500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Bid to rejuvenate crafts

Sandhya Soman

Handicrafts Development Corporation awaits reports from Collectors

CHENNAI: It is an effort to bring the smile back on the faces of Thanjavur `Talai Aattu bommais' and terracotta figurines, and weave back the magic into `pathamadai' mats.

The Tamilnadu Handicrafts Development Corporation awaits project reports from Collectors to decide on the steps required for rejuvenating the sector through the cluster approach.

Plastic versions of the traditional clay and papier-mâché Tanjavur dolls have flooded the market.

"With plastic, you don't have to bother about having the right mixture of clay and papier-mâché, so the dolls will keep rocking," said Handicrafts Development Corporation chairman and managing director D. Rajendran.