Traditional Bangladeshi products are making a comeback, and the entrepreneurs who are leading the revival recently met at an event in Banani
The occasion was appropriately named; “Ilsheguri” is a clever Bengali portmanteau of two of our most favorite things, rain and Hilsa. For a long time, handmade products used to be the heart of the Bangladeshi rural economy. Over time, mass-produced foreign products have overtaken our retail spaces, once a thriving segment of the economy has now been reduced to a handful of artisans fighting to keep their tradition alive.
“Paanch Phoron,” a group of five aspiring women entrepreneurs arranged the event with a vision in mind. To promote locally hand made products and revive the traditional products which used to be the soul of our culture. Ilsheguri was borne out of the desire to revive the segment which has been cornered by foreign products. Even the contemporary fairs that are supposed to be promoting the lost art sell a lot of imported products which confuses the consumers and misinforms them about the quality of the products (local). The organizers lamented about the mass intrusion of foreign products in the country and vocal about putting restrictions on imports.
The patrons who visited the fair at Clay Station, Banani were ecstatic to find the diversity of products that were on display. The collections ranged from handmade jewelry, clothes, bed sheets to ground spices. The event was closely followed by young girls who were awed by the fusion of tradition and modern aesthetics. According to Sayda Sultana Mili, one of the five founding members of “Paanch Phoron,” there is a substantial market for handmade products, and the revenue generation and employment potentials are enormous. There is a growing niche market for customized jewelry, crafts, and clothes, especially among the youth. There is also a high demand for clothes made out of handloom fabrics; in fact, it has become a fashion statement. Consumers have grown tired of mass-produced mainstream products, and they always look for something different to set themselves apart from the crowd, the entrepreneurs of “Paanch Phoron” carters especially to that need of providing diversity. Handmade products are very personalized and maintain their exclusivity as they are made in small quantities. Some of them (“Paanch Phoron”) creates customized products for different entities looking for distinct traditional products.
A number of exporters and retailers have already placed large orders after they were impressed by the finishing and quality of the products and offers. “There is a growing demand for locally made handicrafts in the Western countries,” an exporter stressed. However, there is a lack of cohesion and coordination, which creates reliability issues. More platforms like platforms are required to ensure foreign buyers about the quality and continuity of the supply. During the visit, we were pleasantly surprised by the response of young consumers. The youth of our country appreciates traditional products, but these products have to be presented to them in a language they understand. “Paanch Phoron” is doing precisely that and has gained the recognition they deserve.