The Artisan Training Workshop held by Tibetan Handicraft and Paper was a 10 day program for skill development as well as capacity building in local women and artisans from rural areas. Held from 6th February, the training covered the complete Lokta paper-making process, starting from preparing the raw Lokta bark to making and grading the sheets.
As technology grows, there’s a decrease of interest in paper and paper products, which are being replaced by phones and computers. However, Lokta paper is not just paper, but it is culture, a tradition that needs to be passed down.
And through this training, THP aimed to do just that.
The workshop was conducted by Arun Kumar Adhikari, who has 20 years of experience making Lokta Paper in both Traditional and Japanese styles. He has a thorough knowledge of the process and was eager to pass on his skills and knowledge to the participants of the training. He specializes in the Japanese style which participants from Bajang and Dailekh were particularly eager to learn as they already were working in their respective villages to make paper in the traditional style.
Assistant trainer, Rojina Tamang, similarly has over 10 years of experience on the field and is currently working in THP as a paper maker. Skilled in traditional paper making skills, she was also eager to help the participants, happy to share her skills which she emphasized on having it passed down to the younger generation.
Check out the video to learn more: