Plastic Replacing Tradition
In a Telangana village, there was a time when mornings sounded different.
You could hear the soft weaving of bamboo. You could see baskets resting near doorways, still smelling of fresh strips. Grains were stored in handwoven containers, and vegetables carried in light, strong bamboo baskets.
Today, the same doorway looks different.
Bright plastic buckets sit in corners. Colorful crates have replaced woven baskets. And the sound of bamboo… is slowly fading.
No one noticed when the change began. But now, it is everywhere.
A Life Once Woven with Nature
In Telangana, traditional crafts were never separate from life.
They were life.
Bamboo was not just used—it was trusted. From fields to homes, from storage to celebrations, it quietly supported everyday living.
Communities like the Medara artisans built their lives around this connection. They didn’t just make products. They understood bamboo—its strength, its flexibility, its rhythm.
Every household depended on these crafts.
Not because they were “traditional”… but because they were practical, strong, and part of the culture.
Over time, this became identity.
A Telangana home was not complete without the touch of handmade craft.
The Making – A Process Full of Patience
Creating bamboo products is not quick work.
It begins in the forest.
An artisan walks through carefully, selecting the right bamboo. Only mature ones are chosen. There is thought in every cut.
Back home, the bamboo is cleaned and split.
Long sticks become thin strips. Each strip pulled slowly, carefully.
The sound is soft—steady, calming.
Then comes weaving.
The strips cross each other like threads of a story. Up, down, around.
A basket takes shape. A tray forms. A tool for everyday life comes alive.
There is no machine. No shortcut.
Only hands… and time.
The People Behind the Craft
In a small courtyard, an old artisan works quietly.
His fingers move with ease, shaped by years of practice. Beside him, his son watches, trying to learn.
There are no written lessons.
Only observation. Only repetition.
Women sit together, weaving and talking. Their laughter mixes with the rhythm of bamboo. They speak of Bathukamma flowers, of family, of rising costs.
Their hands do not stop.
There is dignity in their work.
Even if the world does not always see it.
When Plastic Entered the Story
Then came plastic.
Cheap. Colorful. Easily available.
It did not need time. It did not need skill.
And slowly, it entered every home.
At first, it was just one item. Then another.
Soon, bamboo items were pushed aside.
Not because they lost value… but because plastic was easier.
Faster.
And in today’s world, speed often wins over patience.
The Silent Struggle
For artisans, this change was not small.
It affected everything.
Work reduced. Income became uncertain. Orders became fewer.
A basket that took hours to make could not compete with a plastic item made in minutes.
Middlemen offered low prices. Markets became difficult to reach.
Younger generations started stepping away.
Not because they didn’t love the craft… but because they needed stability.
And so, a tradition that once filled every home now struggles to survive.
Efforts to Hold On
There are attempts to support these crafts.
Organizations like Telangana State Handicrafts Development Corporation (Lepakshi) work to promote handmade products. Exhibitions, training programs, and awareness campaigns try to bring bamboo craft back into focus.
Some artisans benefit.
Some find new opportunities.
But many are still waiting.
Support exists… but it does not reach everyone equally.
And the gap remains.
Why Tradition Still Matters
Plastic may be easy.
But it does not carry life.
Bamboo, on the other hand, grows from the earth. It returns to the earth.
It does not harm.
More than that, it carries human touch.
Every bamboo product is different. Every piece holds time, effort, and care.
In Telangana, this craft is not just about making things.
It is about living in balance with nature.
It is about identity.
It is about remembering where we come from.
What We Feel When We Choose Mindfully
When you hold a bamboo basket, you feel something real.
The texture is natural. The shape is slightly uneven.
And in that, there is beauty.
You can imagine the hands that made it. The village it came from.
It connects you to something deeper.
Something human.
Plastic cannot give that feeling.
A Quiet Reflection
Plastic replacing tradition is not just a change in material.
It is a change in how we see value.
We have chosen speed over patience. Ease over effort.
But maybe… we can pause.
Maybe we can look again.
At the hands that still work quietly. At the crafts that still carry meaning.
We don’t need to reject modern life.
But we can choose to remember.
To respect.
To keep space for traditions that shaped us.
Because when we lose them… we lose a part of ourselves.
To know more about this living heritage, visit:
https://bamboocrafttg.com/
Related Craft Links (Explore & Learn)
https://cheriyalscrollpainting.com
https://ikathnalgonda.com
https://lacbanglescharminar.com
https://cottondurrieswarangal.com
https://bathikpaintingsiddipet.com
https://nirmaltoycrafts.com
https://handembriderynagaram.com
https://handembriderynizamabad.com
https://bobbinlacestationghanpur.com
https://banjaraembroiderytg.com
https://tribalmasktg.com
https://crossstitchtg.com
https://woodenlaquerware.com
https://zarizardosihyderabad.com
Telangana, the youngest state in India, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and world-famous handicrafts. Its traditional arts include Cheriyal Paintings, Nirmal Toys, hand embroidery (Nagaram, Nizamabad), Bobbin Lace, Banjara Embroidery, Zari–Zardozi, cotton durries, lac bangles, Baithak paintings, Ikat, pearl jewellery, intricate stone carvings, and hand-printed cotton textiles, each deeply rooted in tradition and craftsmanship.
The Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), under the Ministry of Textiles, aims to holistically develop handicraft clusters across India, including Telangana.
Supported by: The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), the nodal agency for promoting and developing the Indian handicrafts sector, focused on artisan empowerment, market expansion, and sustainable livelihoods.
Executed by: The Andhra Pradesh Productivity Council (APPC), an autonomous non-profit organization established in 1958 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, implementing the project in Telangana through consultancy, micro-enterprise development, skill development, training, surveys, energy audits, and rural livelihood initiatives.
Technology Partner: Next Page Technologies Pvt. Ltd., providing technology development and digital presence with expertise in enterprise web and mobile applications, ERP systems, AI, ML, analytics, and automation, and extensive experience across MSMEs, government projects, and sectors including HR Tech, Commerce, EdTech, Manufacturing, and AgriTech etc.
