look news india
Faridabad, 17 February (HS). In the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Fair, Indian and foreign craftsmen are drawing the attention of tourists towards their creations. Tourists are also praising the works of these craftsmen and are also encouraging them. Similarly, the Bondwal family of Bahadurgarh has been struggling to keep the art of wood carving alive for three generations. All three generations of this family have been awarded Shilp Guru and National Awards for their contribution in wood carving.
This family is not only giving free training to the youth in this art but also guiding them. The best creations of wood carving by Rajendra Prasad Bondwal have been displayed at stall no. 1245 in the Crafts Mela complex. Wooden creations worth Rs 50 to Rs 1 lakh 50 thousand are available at this stall. It took about 5 months to make the box worth Rs 1.5 lakh. This family originally belongs to Karontha village of Rohtak district and is currently residing in Bahadurgarh. Instead of sandalwood in wood carving, craftsmen are now using Kadam, Shisham and Mango wood. This wood is easily available in the local wood market.
It is a matter of pride for the Bondwal family as well as the state of Haryana that the wooden panel of this family has been installed on the wall of the new Parliament building of the country. This family is carrying forward the culture of joint family even in this era. Apart from the local level, the artisans of this family have also been trained in this art in Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Muscat of Oman etc. This family is providing free training as well as guidance to the youth at the local level. At present about 60 youth are being given such training by the Bondwal family. This work was started by Neeraj Bondwal's grandfather Jai Narayan Bondwal, who has been awarded the National Award in the year 1996 for ivory carving. His son Mahavir Prasad Bondwal was awarded the National Award in the year 1979 for his work of 16 elephants without joints on ivory mesh.