The Living Tradition of Handmade Paper in Sikkim

Introduction

The production of handmade paper has a thousand-year-long history in India. Even though the industry is struggling at present, India still has the largest number of paper makers in the world. It has multipurpose uses. The generation has been preserving this culture for decades in Sikkim. This tradition not just reached the houses but is also used in Buddhist monasteries, selling to the governments and global studios. Rong and Lhopo are the indigenous communities that practice the handmade paper production in Western Sikkim.

Origin

India share border with many countries in the region in Northeast Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and the Himalayas. The people of these countries and regions love nature and preserving the old traditions of paper-making techniques. Handmade paper of Sikkim does not have a single name. It connects back to the Tibetan paper-making tradition and techniques, and the expansion of Buddhism. They needed written materials for writing scriptures and for administrative purposes. Paper making in Nepal is called ‘Kagate,’ and the paper is known as ‘Kagati’. In the Sikkim region, the plant is known as ‘Argali’ (the bark of the Daphne plant, Edgeworthia gardneri, grown in the Himalayan region), and it is ecologically sustainable.

The local people first discovered the paper-making technique by mixing the raw plant barks to make paper. It doesn’t cause any pollution or logging of trees. They saw this as an employment opportunity to provide the locals with an additional source of income. Earlier it was used for monastic manuscripts and official records. The durability of this paper and the resistance property from insects made it perfect for preserving of Buddhist scriptures.

With the introduction of industrial paper, the production of handmade paper in Sikkim gradually declined. By the 20th century, It was nearly extinct survived only in limited monastic use. Later in 2003 Borong-Polok Handmade Paper Unit was established near Ravangla which helped revival of the craft and ensured its survival.

The making process

Argali bark is harvested sustainably. No chemical additives are used. The bark is cut into pieces, soaked and boiled, pounded and beaten into pulp, and then spread layer by layer on the frames of bamboo mesh to form the paper sheets. Individual sheets are layered and dried on separate trays. And then it is left to dry naturally in the sun. Other than Argali, Chipley is also used for its unique texture. They used it with recycled waste and helped to conserve the trees. The purpose is completely eco- friendly once practiced by the makers in the Buddhist monasteries before. The process of production is sustainable because it makes it suitable to meet the conservation goals of the state.

Later, Borong- Polok handmade paper unit was established in 2003 by the Sikkim Development Foundation in the village of Borong in South Sikkim, not just as a production or manufacturing unit, but as a community-driven initiative. Local people do their best to contribute to preserving and sustaining this practice and craft. Different kinds and grades of paper are produced and exported to many countries abroad. They also make envelopes, notebooks, abstract art, and decor items with paper.

Features of this handmade paper

The handmade paper is eco-friendly, and the texture is durable, which makes it perfect for both modern applications and traditional ones. This paper has amazing absorbency, smoothness, and quality. This is further treated with local herbs, which help it to be enabled for preservation for centuries or longevity. The smoothness of the paper allows us to write both sides smoothly, and it has a beautiful, transparent quality. It is suitable for most artistic techniques, such as brush paintings. In old times, it was used for land records, official documents, and state documents.

Products:

The unit people make several products from handmade paper, such as paper bags, diary, carry bags, lamps, and other decorative items. Gift wrapping sheets and greeting cards look beautiful and are used by locals for occasions.

There are many training centers that have been established by DHH (Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom), Gangtok, providing training in paper making and employment opportunities. This is helping locals to have an alternative option for employment and preservation of the art form. This is also helping to fulfill the vision of ‘Clean Green State’. Handmade paper is also very popular among artists and is used for calligraphy.

Decorative Items & Motifs

Handmade paper is used for folk art and hand painted greeting cards. The motifs used are inspired by Lepcha, Bhutia and Limbu textile patterns and Himalayan flora and fauna. Lamp & Lanterns are made with handmade paper that diffuses light beautifully and creates warm and eco-friendly lighting.

Stationery & Craft

Journals & Notebooks are bound with handmade paper covers, sometimes decorated with woven borders or natural dyes. File Covers, folders used in schools, offices, and heritage institutions, are often used with local craft motifs. Small-scale items like Bookmarks & Envelopes carry cultural designs, popular among tourists and collectors.

Utility Products

Eco-friendly alternatives to plastic for Gift Bags & Wrapping Sheets are often printed with tribal cultural symbols or floral patterns.

Artistic Experiments

Contemporary artists in Sikkim use handmade paper as a base for institutions, collage, calligraphy, and paintings. This paper is sometimes integrated into sustainable art projects and highlights environmental themes.

Handmade Paper in Buddhist culture

For writing Buddhist texts and literature, handmade paper has been used for over a thousand years. The main reason is that this paper has longevity property and makes it perfect to write and preserve important text in the Himalayan climatic conditions. Before the paper, Buddhist and Hindu scriptures were written on prayer flags and cloth. In modern day, monasteries in Sikkim still use it for sacred texts.

In the Ralong Monastery, the manuscript on this handmade paper, written in Tibetan script, is read by the monks during ceremonial practices and prayers. Many treasures preserved include handwritten script on handmade sheets older than 300 years. In the monasteries, workshops use the wooden block, carved with the script and the Buddhist symbols, and then they print on the handmade paper sheets. These sacred sheets are used during different ceremonies. Monastery libraries preserve a large collection of handmade manuscripts. Scholars also copy the text on new sheets from old sheets, ensuring the conservation of the text.

Significance

The revival of this craft sustains the link between past and present keeping this technique alive that was nearly lost in 20th century. Ecologically it is very integral as its biodegradable and chemical free and a sustainable substitute of industrial paper. It demonstrates the communities and visitors how this traditional practice and craft coexist with environmental sustainability.  They are authentic Sikkimese craft marketed and promoted for tourist. Designs and motifs on handmade paper shows Lepcha, Bhutia and Limbu symbols that represent integration with tribal identity of Sikkim. Projects like Borong-Polok Handmade Paper Unit creates employment to rural household especially for women. Its helping traditional artisanal knowledge to be kept alive and ensuring this tradition is passed on to new generation.

Threats

During the colonial period, the Industrial Revolution weakened the traditional handmade paper industry. With the invention of print technologies and modern machine-produced paper, these are not widely practiced anymore. Also, the inconsistent demand for handmade paper and rising production costs caused the decline. This also leads to urban migration. The very first thing to consider here is the importance of recognition and awareness about the art and crafts of handmade paper of Sikkim outside of the state, and promotion through digital media.

Conclusion

Although this handmade paper is facing many challenges, it is through the determination of the local artisans and the love for their tradition and conservation efforts that this handmade paper is now getting recognition beyond Sikkim, even beyond the country. These products are exported to artists worldwide now. There is a need for improvement in the local policies and governance for the sustainability of papermaking, and for strengthening global exports and establishing eco-tourism initiatives. This industry helps to support local communities of Sikkim and preserve old traditions.

References:

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