Showing posts with label Crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crafts. Show all posts

THE FACES IN OUR MIDST – NETRA PRASAD SHARMA

9:57 AM
Bijay Sharma

At 84 years of age, Mr. Netra Prasad Sharma is still as active as most people would be in their 30s. Perhaps even more!!

Locals in his village Adarsh Gaon, Singtam – South Sikkim lovingly call him Netra Baje… and everyone is fond of him.

He retired from his job in the Power Department some 25 years ago and has kept himself occupied with one vocation or the other. But of late he has devoted himself to conserving our traditional instruments and equipments.

He makes - Madal, Damaru, Khaijadi, Kathtal, Khikurim Hatepakha, and various handicraft products using bamboo and mato (mud).

Netra Baje doesn’t make these instruments for money, rather he is passionate about transferring the art to youngsters, whom he hopes will carry on his passion and the dying art of making our traditional instruments are conserved.
Mr. Netra Prasad Sharma -  Madal, Damaru, Khaijadi, Kathtal, Khikurim Hatepakha
Netra Prasad Sharma
Netra Baje is particularly popular amongst school going kids, who have often taken his work and showed it as theirs for the compulsory “Work Education” or “Crafts – Haat ko Kaam” classes and secured 1st class marks in their subjects

Netra Baje says “time is precious and we should all make the most of it… you don’t necessarily have to earn money doing something you love… you just need to keep your passion alive.”
Coming from an 84 year old, those are sage advice which we intend to take… and we hope our readers will as well.

If anyone wants to contact him, he can be reached at: 98323-82494

Bijay Sharma, Via: our partner organization The Times Dooars & TheDC


 
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