Nod to ‘Chambyal project’ for Chamba :

1. The Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE) today organised a workshop on geographical indications (GIs) and potential GIs of Chamba district such as Chamba rumal, metal craft, miniature painting, sculpture and wood crafts, ‘chappal’, ‘chukh’ and, Bharmour ‘rajmah’.

2. On the initiative of the HP Patent Information Centre (HPPIC) of HIMCOSTE, Chamba ‘rumal’ has been registered as GI by the registrar of geographical indications, Government of India, Chennai.

3. In order to promote Chamba’s art and craft and to revitalise the economy of local artisans and craftspersons, an ambitious project called ‘Chambyal project’ drawn by the district administration, had been accorded approval by the Government of India.

Chamba Handicrafts :

Cast Metal : Cast metal work in Chamba must have been done from the Bronze age period. The presence of minor copper mines in Chamba district helped to obtain the necessary raw material. Alloy compound, brass is commonly used for casting metal ware in Chamba. Small and medium size sculpture pieces are cast in stylized forms in the traditional work in small studios which also serve as their shops. The furnace for larger casting work is kept away from the shops.

Chamba Shawl :Chamba Shawls are woven on hand looms in wool. Sometimes one thread is cotton and the other crossing thread is wool.The shawls have a bright border in traditional design.Such designs have distinct regional variations.The woven designs are used in making the famous Chamba caps also.The shawls have a bright border in traditional design.

Chamba Chappals : These are made by the male members of establishments. As usual, the bottom of the Chappal is first cut according to required size and shape. The filling with waste leather pieces is done by glueing the same with paste, made locally known as lati. Thereafter it is hidden by sticking the lower and the upper portion of the sole with a flat leather cord. After that the vamp along with the tieing strap is stitched.These are also made in the sme manner as Chamba Chappals except that the embroidery on the vamp is done by women embroiderers.

Wood Work : Wood carving is one of the most ancient craft in Chamba. Door panels, decoration under the eaves, and huge wooden statues from olden times are found in Chamba even today.Wood Carving- Wooden doors and windows, mythological subjects, animal forms, figures, panels of framed lattice work (Jali) and human figures, furniture, spoons, face masks, table lamps etc.

Wood Turning- Kunala(big bowl), Kosi (big milk- pot), Parku or Paru(lotus shaped utensils with lid), Kalas(glass), “Thunti”(handle less cup), Dongri ( for storing oil, ghee and honey), Barigna ( water drum with lid), Daglu( small bowl), small round wooden box, table lamp, bed legs, hukka nari.