Things We Make and Do

Overview

This topic connects classroom learning to the everyday life of children in Madhya Pradesh by exploring local crafts, handicrafts, and traditional occupations. For MP TET Varg-3, questions test your knowledge of region-specific crafts, the materials and processes involved, and the socio-cultural significance of traditional work. The topic also carries pedagogical weight—examiners want to see if you understand how to use local crafts as a teaching tool for integrated EVS learning.

MP is exceptionally rich in handicraft traditions, with each region having distinct art forms passed down through generations. As a primary teacher, you must know these crafts not just as facts but as entry points for teaching children about materials, environment, local economy, and cultural identity. Expect 2–4 questions from this area, often combining factual recall with application to classroom scenarios.

Key Concepts

• **Handicrafts vs Handlooms**: Handicrafts are hand-made decorative or functional items (pottery, woodwork, metalwork); handlooms specifically refer to hand-woven textiles on looms.

• **Raw Materials from Local Environment**: Most traditional crafts use locally available materials—clay from riverbanks, bamboo from forests, cotton or silk from local cultivation, lac from trees.

• **Intergenerational Skill Transfer**: Traditional occupations are learned within families; children observe and gradually participate, making the home a site of informal vocational education.

• **Craft Clusters of MP**: Specific crafts are concentrated in particular districts—Chanderi (silk), Maheshwar (cotton-silk), Gond art (tribal regions), Bagh print (Dhar district).

• **Link Between Craft and Geography**: The craft practiced in a region reflects its natural resources—bamboo work in forest areas, pottery near clay-rich riverbeds, metalwork where ore is accessible.

• **Occupational Diversity**: Traditional occupations include farming, fishing, weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, carpentry, basket-making, and dyeing—each tied to specific communities.

• **Craft as Cultural Identity**: Handicrafts carry motifs, designs, and techniques that express community beliefs, festivals, and local stories.

Key Facts

| Craft/Occupation | Location in MP | Material Used | Special Feature | |------------------|----------------|---------------|-----------------| | Chanderi Sarees | Chanderi (Ashoknagar) | Silk and cotton | Zari work, sheer texture | | Maheshwari Sarees | Maheshwar (Khargone) | Cotton-silk blend | Reversible border, geometric patterns | | Bagh Print | Bagh (Dhar) | Cotton cloth, natural dyes | Red-black block printing using local river water | | Gond Painting | Mandla, Dindori, tribal belt | Paper, cloth, walls | Dots and lines depicting nature, folk tales | | Zardozi Embroidery | Bhopal | Fabric with gold/silver thread | Intricate embroidery on royal attire | | Bell Metal Craft | Tikamgarh | Bronze alloy | Tribal figurines, utility items | | Bamboo & Cane Work | Forest districts (Balaghat, Mandla) | Bamboo, cane | Baskets, furniture, decorative items | | Pottery | Khurja-style in various districts | Clay | Terracotta toys, utensils, decorative items | | Leather Craft | Indore, Gwalior | Tanned leather | Juttis (traditional footwear), bags |

**Traditional Occupations to Remember**: 1. **Kumhar** (Potter) – makes clay items 2. **Lohar** (Blacksmith) – forges iron tools 3. **Badhai** (Carpenter) – works with wood 4. **Julaha** (Weaver) – weaves cloth 5. **Darzi** (Tailor) – stitches garments 6. **Nai** (Barber) – traditional grooming 7. **Dhobi** (Washerman) – laundering clothes 8. **Rangrez** (Dyer) – dyes fabrics

Worked Examples

**Example 1**: *A teacher wants to teach children about local materials. She brings clay to class. Which traditional occupation uses clay as the main raw material?*

**Solution**: The occupation is **Kumhar (Potter)**. Potters use clay from riverbanks, shape it on a wheel, dry it in the sun, and bake it in a kiln to make pots, diyas, toys, and decorative items. This connects EVS concepts of natural resources, water bodies, heat, and traditional skills.

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**Example 2**: *Match the following crafts with their districts:*

• (A) Bagh Print → (i) Ashoknagar
• (B) Chanderi Saree → (ii) Dhar
• (C) Gond Art → (iii) Mandla

**Solution**:

• Bagh Print → (ii) Dhar (Bagh village in Dhar district)
• Chanderi Saree → (i) Ashoknagar (Chanderi town)
• Gond Art → (iii) Mandla (tribal belt)

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**Example 3**: *Why is Bagh print considered eco-friendly?*

**Solution**: Bagh print uses **natural dyes** extracted from plants—red from alizarin (manjistha), black from iron rust and jaggery mixture. The fabric is washed in the **Bagh river**, whose mineral content fixes colours. No chemical dyes or synthetic processes are used, making it environmentally sustainable. This is a good example for teaching children about traditional knowledge and environmental conservation.

Common Mistakes

| Wrong Thinking | Correct Understanding | |----------------|----------------------| | Confusing Chanderi with Maheshwari—both are MP sarees, so they are the same. | Chanderi (Ashoknagar) is known for silk-cotton blend with zari; Maheshwari (Khargone) has a distinctive reversible border and geometric patterns. Different towns, different techniques. | | Assuming Gond painting is done only on paper. | Gond art is traditionally done on **walls and floors** of homes; paper and canvas are modern adaptations for sale. | | Thinking handicrafts are outdated and irrelevant to modern EVS curriculum. | NCF 2005 and NEP 2020 emphasise local knowledge, art integration, and connecting school to community—handicrafts are central to this. | | Believing all traditional occupations are caste-based and should not be discussed in class. | While historically linked to communities, the focus in EVS is on the **skill, process, and material**—not on caste hierarchy. Discuss occupations with dignity and respect for labour. | | Mixing up raw materials—saying Bagh print uses silk. | Bagh print is done on **cotton** fabric. Silk is used in Chanderi weaving. Always link craft to correct material. |

Quick Reference

• **Chanderi** = Silk + Zari + Ashoknagar; **Maheshwari** = Cotton-silk + Reversible border + Khargone
• **Bagh Print** = Natural dyes + Block printing + Dhar district + Bagh river
• **Gond Art** = Tribal + Dots/lines + Nature themes + Mandla/Dindori
• **Kumhar = Potter; Lohar = Blacksmith; Badhai = Carpenter; Julaha = Weaver**
• Local crafts teach **materials, environment, economy, and culture** in an integrated way
• NEP 2020 promotes **art-integrated learning**—handicrafts are ideal entry points for EVS