Workshops on traditional basket weaving and kadegol craft mark day 5 of INTACH’s World Heritage Week

Workshops on traditional basket weaving and kadegol craft mark day 5 of INTACH’s World Heritage Week

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, November 23, 2025: The fifth day of the World Heritage Week celebrations organised by the Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in association with Art Kanara Trust, featured two hands-on workshops on traditional basket weaving and kadegol (wooden butter churner) making. The daylong sessions were held on Sunday, November 23, at the Kodial Guthu Centre for Art and Culture.

Basket weaving was demonstrated by artisans Babu Koraga Kadtala and Ammi Koraga Kadtala, while Sadananda Gudiga Keruwashe and Prashant Gudiga Keruwashe led the kadegol-making session. Participants were introduced to the natural materials, hand tools and time-honoured techniques involved in both crafts.

The demonstrations covered wood selection, preparation of raw materials and the step-by-step crafting process. A range of handmade kitchen essentials and woven household products were also displayed and made available for purchase.

The artisans highlighted the challenges faced by traditional craft communities. “Handmade wooden kadegols are now replaced by synthetically polished, machine-made ones that offer neither quality nor durability. Our methods are transparent and inherited through generations. We need encouragement and sales for this tradition to survive,” said Sadananda Gudiga.

Babu Koraga added, “During COVID-19, our sales fell sharply. With help from a few kind-hearted people, we moved our products online and to farmers’ markets. But transporting them to distant melas is difficult. Support in transport, remuneration and basic facilities enables us to keep showcasing our work.”

The workshops concluded with a lively interaction between artisans and attendees, many of whom purchased products in support of traditional craftsmanship. The programme began with an introduction of the artisans by Reshma Shetty, artist and life member of INTACH.