Karma Yangchen’s natural dyed cotton shawl proved a worthy symbol of Bhutanese craftsmanship. The shawl was among the 13 handicrafts Bhutan had submitted in the South Asia UNESCO award of excellence for handicrafts in September in Chennai, India this year.
‘Handicrafts’ here is defined as products that are produced either completely by hand or with the help of tools.
A total of 167 entries from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal were judged by an international panel of experts on the products’ excellence of quality, authenticity of cultural expressions, innovation in design and marketability at the international level.
India bagged the highest number of awards, 27. Pakistan took five, Sri Lanka three, Nepal two and the other countries one each.
The mission of the award program is to give recognition to quality craft products that combine excellence of traditional skills, design innovation and aesthetics, thereby raising the quality standard of craft products to facilitate international market access.
On a score of five, the cotton shawl scored 4.68 points, according to the jury, for its “very appealing colour, motif and good pricing.” The shawl was priced at USD 40, about Nu 1,900.
“When they saw the shawl, everyone went for it and it scored the most in quality and authenticity,” said the UNESCO’s programme specialist for culture Moe Chiba. “This award means a recognition more to the craft than the person,” she added.
Among the other products presented for the award, the jury felt that the wild silk’s texture was too coarse for scarves, colours were not to the taste of contemporary market and the products too costly.
However, the general observation for Bhutanese products included excellence in quality/techniques and authenticity of tradition but weak in innovation, market appeal, pricing, finishing, sizing and packaging.
Meanwhile Karma Yangchen, 53, from Dungkar, Kurtoe said that she is very happy and proud to win the award. “ It means so much to the handicrafts association of Bhutan (HAB) and to me.”
The mother of three has also won other prizes within the country. Her designs and colour combination won her the top three prizes during the recent textile festival. She has also designed the kira for Druk Air stewardesses’ uniforms.
“I get my inspiration from flowers and GNH. When it comes to innovation, I change the old designs slightly,” said Karma Yangchen.
She learnt weaving from the age of 15 but gave up after she had children. The handicrafts shop she opened after her children grew up and the trainings she received from the UN and the ministry of economic affairs renewed her interest in textiles.
More than weaving, today she designs the colours and patterns for her 12 weavers. “Besides the award, I’m very happy that the Druk Gyalpo kept three of the four ghos I designed for the coronation and centenary celebrations.”
