The Tree of life is a symbol of regeneration and continuity. In various cultures of the world, this tree has been represented since ancient times. Particularly in India, painted and printed textiles like Kalamkaari, metal works of Dhokra, crafts like Sholapith and many other have numerous examples of the Tree of Life. Such examples also exist in stone sculptures and wooden carvings across the country.
The banyan tree, as the national tree of India, becomes an obvious choice to denote the Tree of Life in India. Just like a banyan tree, crafts are self-propagating and immortal, especially when linked to the process of design thinking as that can give new forms to a well-known craft and take it forward. Additionally, when we nourish our own roots, we become self-reliant. That’s how choosing a national tree is a step towards the Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The branches and leaves of the tree are representative of human hands and arms. This focuses on skill-based work that is done by the artisans in this industry and the undying appreciation that hand-done work holds in our hearts.
This installation brings together various crafts of India in one tree of life, which represents harmony, solidarity and collective growth. The way a tree gives shade to the people who come under it, this tree represents the economic self-reliance of our artisans. And Indian Institute of Crafts & Design, an institute that is dedicated to working in the crafts sector, through the medium of this tree of life, would like to showcase how we are working towards continuously evolving crafts, how we are nurturing our roots and taking them forward.
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