Mr Pankaj Narain, founder of The Beehive India, was offered a a project by INTACH on Hoshiarpur Wood Inlay Craft, where Ivory is inlaid into wood.
The artisans are still using the traditional motifs & patterns, and due to ivory ban they are now inlaying plastic into wood. Entire work is being done by hands, so this craft is very time consuming, and it takes a long time to complete any detailed product.
Ms Tanveen (designer from NIFT) and Mr Pankaj Narain , studied & documented this craft and afterwards did a design development activity. They experimented with newer motifs like leaf, and played with lines to create contemporary designs. The new products are definitely looking different from the traditional ones.
They also plan to improve efficiency of the artisans & make the craft more production friendly by introducing technology. And further experimentation with newer base materials is also intended.
