1.2 Name of the element, as used by the community or group concerned
Shatranji craftsmanship
1.3 Short, maximally informative title (including indication of domain(s))
Shatranji craftsmanship- a creative art of weaving
1.4 Community(ies)/group(s) that recognize the element as part of their cultural heritage
Rural people of Nishbetganj and other parts of Rangpur, Bangladesh
1.5 Physical location(s) of the element/how often it is practiced
Rangpur, Northern Bangladesh. It is now practised throughout the year.
1.6 Short description (max. 200words)
Shatranji is one of the present-day 's oldest knitting industries. Shatranji's art of weaving an intricate art, profoundly associated with the customs and culture of the Rangpur people, which shows the creativity, taste, tenacity, and artistry of Rangpur artists at the highest level. It also needs months of relentless dedication, diligence, and high costs. In the past. Shatranji was regarded as a symbol of the prestige of royal houses. This thick-knit carpet had been very popular in the subcontinent during Mughal days. Back then the emperors had a great admiration for it. Subsequently, in the 13th century, the craft extended to this region. The unique designs and magnificent beauty enchanted the rulers of the time. Emperor Akbar was intrigued by the craft's exceptional artistic elegance, and used it to adorn his New Delhi palace. The colorful rug was produced in Pirpur village on the outskirts of the town during the British era. In 1830 Rangpur district collector Mr. Nishbet, fascinated by Shatranji 's beauty, arranged for the weaver to be patronized by the government. The village later named Nishbetganj after him. Nowadays, Shatranji is used to create a range of innovative items such as coin purses, handbags for ladies, and table mats.
1.7 Domain of the element (select one or more/suggest alternative domain)
2. Characteristics of the element
2.1 Practitioners(s)/performer(s): roles, age, gender, social status, and/or professional category etc)
Mostly women are the weavers, men participate in dyeing and drying the fiber.
Age group- varies
Social status- economically vulnerable or poor community
Profession- housewives or weavers
2.2 Other tradition bearers (individuals/groups and their roles)
A comb-like machine called Panja, made of wood. Raw materials used are jute or cotton yarn
2.5 Associated intangible elements (if any)
Finesse
2.6 How are women and people of other genders associated with this ICH element
Women are the main group bearing the ICH. Men participate in the production of the fiber and sometimes dyeing and drying them.
2.7 Division of labour during the practice of aforementioned ICH element
N/a
2.8 Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it
N/a
2.9 Modes of transmission
From families to their next generation, professional training.
2.10 Organizations concerned (non-governmental organizations and others)
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation
Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) Bangladesh
3. State of the element (viability)
3.1 Threats to the enactment (if any)
N/a
3.2 Threats to the transmission (if any)
Lack of interest in the new generation, shortage of resources, lack of government support.
3.3 Threat to associated tangible elements and resources (if any)
Raw materials are costly and short of supply sometimes.
3.4 Viability of associated intangible elements (if any)
N/a
3.5 Safeguarding measures in place (if any)
Karupnnya has taken some commendable initiatives to keep the tradition alive by employing vulnerable rural women who practice this art.
4. Data gathering/documentation, Consent and preparation of inventory entries
4.1 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
--
4.2 Restrictions, if any, on use of data collected
N/a
5. Resource Person
5.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives
Harun Or Rashid
5.2 Date(s) and place(s) of data gathering
Date : 2020-05-26 Place(s) : Data collected from a former entrepreneur who had business in Shatranji Polli.
6. Safeguarding techniques
6.1 Existing safeguarding techniques in the community for the safeguarding of the ICH element
Karupnnya has taken some commendable initiatives to keep the tradition alive by employing vulnerable rural women who practice this art.
6.2 Suggestions for safeguarding of the ICH element from the community
The community wants the government's attention in safeguarding this craftsmanship through legal policies.
7. References to literature, discography, audiovisual materials or archives
7.1 References to/in literature
Unknown Author, (1963). India: Handbook of Commercial Information. 2nd ed. India: India. Dept. of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics.
Sir George Watt, ( 1966). The Commercial Products of India: Being an Abridgment of "The Dictionary of the Economic Products of India.". 1st ed. the Authority of His Majesty's Secretary of State for India in Council: Today & Tomorrow's Printer & Publishers.
Sayed Mofidul Babu ( 2019). Shatranji now being produced in many areas of Rangpur. [ONLINE] Available at: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/country/shatranji-now-being-produced-in-many-areas-of-rangpur-1571845511. [Last Accessed 17th May 2020].
7.2 Audiovisual materials or archives
Attached below
7.3 Discography or archives
N/a
8. Modalities for updating the information contained in the inventory entry
8.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives, who compiled the inventory entry