The writer mentions celebrating pankhas in the concluding part of the chapter. Assess how this could be beneficial to artisans and the craft.
Celebrating pankhas is a vital step to preserve the essence of the craft, especially since this beautiful culture runs the risk of slowly losing its presence among Indians due to the advent of technology.
Firstly, celebrating pankhas helps in appreciating the culture, stories, and artistry that this traditional handicraft invokes. This appreciation allows contemporary pankha makers to demonstrate their craft and actively regain its popularity among people.
Secondly, it directly benefits the artisans by providing them with a commercial platform to create a sustainable livelihood. While the pankha was once made for personal use, it has now transformed into a commercial business. The slight increase in popularity and demand, factored by different versions being crafted, provides some form of livelihood to India's artisans.
Finally, celebrating pankhas through initiatives like pankha-making workshops—both within and outside handicraft exhibitions—helps spread awareness about the beauty and importance of this craft in India's culture, ensuring its survival and the welfare of its creators.
Explanation
The question asks to assess the benefits of celebrating pankhas for both the artisans and the craft itself. The context clearly outlines a dual benefit: for the craft, celebration preserves its essence, culture, stories, and artistry, while helping regain its popularity against the risk of losing its presence due to technology. For the artisans, it provides a commercial platform and a sustainable livelihood, transforming the craft from personal use to a commercial business. Mentioning specific initiatives like pankha-making workshops and exhibitions further strengthens the answer by showing how awareness is spread, fulfilling the 5-mark requirement comprehensively.