Kolkata, May 16 (KNN) Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation has decided to identify the families skilled in the making of famed attar-makers in Chitpore and traditional surma and zarda makers and promote them by linking them with the State Government schemes, both in the national and the international markets.

Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation is a part of the Bengal Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Textiles Department.

“There was a time these craftsmen were much in demand for their skill and knowledge, be it at kings’ courts or in zamindar’s houses. It was traditional business, passed down from generation to generation,” All India Trinamool Congress said in a release.

These items from Chitpore are already being sold at the Biswa Bangla stores, and the numbers are very encouraging too. During 2014-15, Rs 17 lakh worth attar was sold, which rose to Rs 40 lakh during 2015-16.

During 2014-15, 44,000 attar-scented soaps were sold, a number which leapt to 10 lakh in 2015-16. Similarly, for surma, the sales climbed from Rs 88,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

The demand for attar and surma from Chitpore rose by 54 per cent and 94 per cent, respectively. Hence, the department has planned these ventures to further cultivate these traditional manufacturers.

Through these enterprises, the State Government is creating ‘Brand Chitpore’ – preserving the rich culture and heritage of Bengal.

The Biswa Bangla brand is the brainchild of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and it has set a benchmark in India for promoting, selling and preserving the traditional arts and crafts of a State.