Lets know this art form.
Tuma or decorative gourd craft is a unique handicraft from Chhattisgarh, India, which takes gourds beyond mere utilitarian use, to create truly innovative artwork.
Nature has its own beauty, even in the most unexpected things – like gourds for example! The Tuma craft in the state of Chhattisgarh in India is a developed craft that brings out the hidden beauty of gourds!
Tuma craft is made of the bottle gourd vegetable (Lagenaria siceraria), also known as calabash, opo squash, long lemon and lauki (in Hindi). Tuma craft originates from the people who used gourd shells as containers to store water and salfi (local drinks). Gradually, they began to decorate their vessels, and tuma craft, or decorative gourd craft, became popular within the state. Today, tuma products include a wide range of lampshades, wall hangings, utensil and masks.
How are they made ??
Firstly, gourds with appropriate natural shapes are selected and dried in the sun, sometimes for as long as six months. As a result, they turn brown in color. The darkness of the color depends on how old the gourd is.
Once they are dry enough, they are thoroughly washed using mud, which acts as a scrubber. After the mud wash, the gourds are once again dried under the sun and kept in water for about five to six hours. This makes the upper layer loose, allowing it to be scraped of with a knife.
The rear portion of the gourd is then cut using a hot iron knife, and the contents inside removed, making it completely hollow. Designs are then sketched on the gourd with a pencil and etched with a hot knife. This process burns the surface and makes the pattern permanent. If bowls and food utensils are made, they are boiled first to remove the gourd’s bitterness. Finally, the gourd is varnished and ready for decorations to please our eyes!!
