Kozhikode

Nift Chennai works with the Kozhikode cluster in kerala which deals predominantly with two crafts which are associated with this area, since centuries, handloom weaving and Uru wooden boats.
FOR HANDLOOM –The three taluks of Kozhikode namely Vadakara, Koilandy and Kozhikode – covering 30 working cooperative societies both in primary and industrial type.
FOR HANDICRAFTS- Beypore with artisans engaged in making wooden models of traditional boats known as Uru.

Crafts identified of Kozhikode
  • Kerala Handloom
  • Uru Boats
RDEC and SRTSC Role

RDEC
  • RDEC located at SIDCO building West hill, Calicut, inauguration scheduled for June2006, due to elections in kerala in may.
  • The RDEC has been functional since January.
  • The infrastructure is not in place yet.
  • Activities of RDEC
    • Awareness meeting conducted in the handloom cluster with the DIC in each block head like Koilandy, Vadakkara, Kozhikode.
    • Discussions with bank heads for financial support for the cluster.
    • Awareness workshop held with Uru Boats artisans with DRDA in early November.
    • Scheduled workshops and training programs on dyeing, printing for handlooms and design intervention in URU in 2nd and 3rd week of March.
    • Mobilizing actively the involvement of the handloom weavers societies for the sourcing of the materials for IFFTEX and AOL exhibitions.
    • Workshop in progress with the artisans from 15th march.
    • At the RDEC, a small stitching unit is planned out as there is no conversion of product facility available in kozhikode.

SRTSC
  • Location for the SRTSC has been identified – Thikkodi in Payyoli.
  • Basic infrastructure is yet to be in place.
  • The technical person at the SRTSC has been appointed and involved in the planning and organizing of the scheduled workshops to be held in the cluster.
  • Conducted base line survey of 2000 artisans.
  • Identification of the nodal agency for the smooth conduct of the business activities of the cluster - handloom and handicrafts.
  • The SRTSC will be a common facility center, we plan to create a good sampling unit as well as a dyeing unit at this place, where artisans of all societies can avail this facility.