00:05In a thatched house in Kendrapada, Pratimardash turns coconut fiber into giraffes, peacocks,
00:12tortoises and miniature houses. Her handicrafts bring in orders from across the district and as
00:18far away as Koraput. I had seen these things being sold near the Lingaraj temple and that
00:27made me want to try making them. The 50-year-old artisan from Bilipada began learning the craft
00:33with other village women in 2005. She continued after the group's interest faded. In 2021,
00:40she completed a 10-inch coconut fiber giraffe within a three-hour test at SIDAC and was selected
00:47as a master trainer. Today, Pratima makes more than 50 kinds of decorative items. She uses
00:56fiber, coconut shells, thread wool and other materials to give each piece its shape and finish.
01:07It is soft to the touch and easier to work with. The finished pieces look better and hold their shape.
01:16Craft sales and training help her run the household. Pratima says her earnings help educate
01:21her three children and pay for her two daughters' weddings. She has also taught other women to make
01:27coconut fiber products.
01:33We studied with the money she earned and she paid for my wedding too.
01:38But Pratima says the thatched house covered with tapulin gives her too little room to work or expand.
01:44She has sought assistance for a better workspace.
01:48Pratajit Das, district handicrafts development officer, also said that the department has sent
01:53Pratima to conduct training at two places. Das says her request for workspace assistance is under
01:59examination. Until then, Pratima continues to fill orders from the space she has,
02:04turning coconut fiber into both handicrafts and a livelihood.
