Who is Omprakash Sharma and what is he known for?

Omprakash Sharma is an artisan from Varanasi who is helping to revive the demand for traditional wooden lacquerware and toys through his work and participation in ODOP initiatives.

How is the ODOP initiative supporting Varanasi's wooden craft?

The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative for Uttar Pradesh provides training, financial support, and market access, officially identifying Wooden Lacquerware and Toys as Varanasi's product.

What challenges did Varanasi's wooden craft face, and how is it adapting?

The craft faced declining demand due to cheaper, machine-made alternatives. Artisans are adapting by using suitable alternative woods that maintain the quality and finish of traditional Banaras-style products.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Varanasi Artisan Revives Wooden Lacquerware Through ODOP

Varanasi Artisan Revives Wooden Lacquerware Through ODOP

4 Feb

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Summary

Artisan Omprakash Sharma champions wooden lacquerware and toys.
Uttar Pradesh's ODOP initiative supports the traditional craft.
Exhibitions and training are revitalizing demand for handcrafted items.

Varanasi Artisan Revives Wooden Lacquerware Through ODOP

In the heart of Varanasi's older lanes, artisan Omprakash Sharma is instrumental in revitalizing the traditional craft of wooden lacquerware and toys. These handcrafted items, deeply woven into the fabric of daily life and ritual, are gaining renewed appreciation.

The craft aligns with Uttar Pradesh's One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, which provides training, financial aid, and market access. Wooden Lacquerware and Toys are designated as Varanasi's ODOP product, spotlighting artisans like Sharma.

Sharma, whose family has long preserved this skill, chose to remain dedicated to the craft despite challenges from mass-produced alternatives. He notes that artisans have adapted by using alternative woods that still allow for the precise shaping and smooth finish characteristic of Banaras-style products.