How One Town Keeps India's 500-year-old Papermaking Industry Alive | Still Standing

Business Insider India
9 Jan 202205:42
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRFor over five centuries, the Indian town of San Ganier has thrived on handmade paper, with Kalpana Handmade Papers leading the industry. The process begins with recycling waste from garment factories, transforming it into pulp with modern machinery, and then skillfully crafting it into paper by hand. Despite facing competition from automated mills, the art of sheet-by-sheet papermaking has been preserved, thanks to Mahatma Gandhi's advocacy for local handicrafts. Today, the factory ships its eco-friendly, specialty papers worldwide, used in a variety of products, ensuring the craft's sustainability.

Takeaways
  • 📜 The Indian town of San Ganier has been making paper by hand for over five centuries, maintaining its economic significance through the ages.
  • 🏭 Despite the presence of modern, automated paper mills, the 500-year-old industry of handmade paper in San Ganier continues to thrive.
  • ♻️ Kalpana Handmade Papers recycles waste from garment factories, turning scraps into new paper products.
  • 🔧 The process at the workshop has modernized with machinery, reducing the time and effort compared to traditional hand-mixing methods.
  • 👥 The art of turning pulp into paper is a skill that requires years of training and is performed by two people working together.
  • 🌹 Specialty papers are created by adding decorations such as rose petals during the paper-making process.
  • 🔆 The sheets of paper are dried under the sun for two days, which is an essential part of the paper-making process.
  • 📏 After drying, a machine called a calendar is used to smooth out each sheet, altering the paper's texture significantly.
  • 🗑️ Scraps from the paper-making process are recycled and used again, promoting a sustainable and circular production method.
  • 📦 The handmade paper is used to create a variety of products, such as calendars and jewelry boxes, which are shipped worldwide.
  • 💪 Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in saving the handmade paper industry in the 1940s by advocating for local handicrafts during the fight for Indian independence.
Q & A

  • How long has paper making been central to the economy of the Indian town mentioned in the script?

    -Paper making has been central to the town's economy for at least five centuries.

  • What is the capacity of the factory in terms of daily paper production?

    -The factory can produce ten thousand sheets of paper in just a day.

  • What is the significance of the music in the script?

    -The music serves as a narrative device to transition between different stages of the paper-making process and to add emotional depth to the story.

  • What is the primary raw material used in the paper-making process at Kalpana Handmade Papers?

    -The primary raw material is waste, specifically scraps from garment factories that would otherwise be discarded.

  • Who is Nimi Chant Saini and what is her role in the paper-making process?

    -Nimi Chant Saini is the owner of Kalpana Handmade Papers and oversees every step of the paper-making process.

  • How has the process of mixing pulp changed with the introduction of machinery?

    -The introduction of machinery has reduced the time taken to mix pulp from triple the amount of time it took when done by hand to under two hours.

  • What is the most crucial step in turning pulp into paper and why does it require years of training?

    -The most crucial step is spreading the pulp evenly onto the sieve, which requires years of training due to the skill and precision needed to ensure the quality and thickness of the paper.

  • What additional decorations are added to create specialty paper and why?

    -Specialty paper workers add extra decorations like rose petals to enhance the aesthetic appeal and uniqueness of the paper for specific uses or clients.

  • How does the factory utilize sunlight in the paper-making process?

    -Sunlight is used to dry the sheets of paper for two days after they have been pressed and separated from the cloth.

  • What historical figure is credited with saving the handmade paper industry in India?

    -Mahatma Gandhi is credited with saving the handmade paper industry during his fight for Indian independence by advocating for local handicrafts.

  • How does the factory's sheet-by-sheet technique differ from mass-produced paper?

    -The sheet-by-sheet technique is more labor-intensive and artisanal, setting it apart from the uniformity and efficiency of mass-produced paper.

  • What are some of the products made using the handmade paper from the factory?

    -The handmade paper is used to make hundreds of different products such as calendars, jewelry boxes, and recycled cardboard paper.

  • What is Nimi's outlook on the future of his business given the ongoing demand for paper?

    -Nimi is confident that his business will thrive as long as there is a demand for paper, reflecting the enduring relevance of handmade paper in various applications.

Outlines
00:00
📜 The Enduring Legacy of Handmade Paper in San Ganier

This paragraph delves into the centuries-old tradition of paper making in an Indian town, which remains vibrant despite the prevalence of automated mills. The process begins with recycling waste from garment factories, transforming it into high-quality handmade paper through a meticulous and labor-intensive method. The owner, Nimi Chant Saini, is highlighted for overseeing the entire production, from shredding to pulp making, which has been modernized with machinery to increase efficiency. The crucial step of turning pulp into paper is emphasized, requiring skilled workers and years of training. The paper's unique texture and quality are achieved through a combination of traditional techniques and modern machinery, including pressing, drying, and smoothing with a calendar machine. The historical context of the industry's struggle during British rule and its revival through Mahatma Gandhi's advocacy is also provided, illustrating the resilience and cultural significance of this handmade paper community.

05:05
🌟 Nimi's Confidence in the Future of Handmade Paper Business

The second paragraph focuses on the owner's optimism for the future of his handmade paper business. Despite the challenges of modernization and competition from mass-produced paper, Nimi is confident that his business will thrive. This confidence likely stems from the unique qualities of handmade paper, the dedication to craftsmanship, and the growing market for eco-friendly and artisanal products. The paragraph suggests a positive outlook for the continuation of this traditional industry, underpinned by a commitment to quality and sustainability.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Handmade Paper
Handmade paper refers to paper that is created through a traditional process that involves manual labor and techniques. In the context of the video, this method is the core of the paper-making industry in the Indian town of San Ganier, which has been thriving for centuries. The script mentions that the factory can produce ten thousand sheets in a day, highlighting the efficiency of this traditional craft even in a modern world.
💡Recycling
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. In the video, the paper-making process begins with waste, specifically scraps from garment factories, which are recycled into new paper products. This not only reduces waste but also contributes to the sustainability of the industry.
💡Shredding Machine
A shredding machine is a device used to cut materials into small pieces or strips. In the script, it is mentioned that bigger pieces of fabric are put through a shredding machine, resulting in a pile of pulverized fabric, which is a crucial step in the paper-making process.
💡Pulp
Pulp is a mass of fibrous material derived from plants, used in the production of paper. The script describes how workers mix shredded fabric and paper with water to create pulp, which is then turned into paper through a specialized process.
💡Sieve
A sieve is a tool with a perforated surface used to separate solid particles from liquids. In the context of the video, the pulp is spread evenly onto a sieve to form sheets of paper, which is a traditional method of paper-making.
💡Specialty Paper
Specialty paper refers to paper that has unique properties or is designed for specific uses. The script mentions that for specialty paper, workers add decorations such as rose petals, indicating a level of customization and artistry in the paper-making process.
💡Calendar
In the paper-making context, a calendar is a machine that smooths and finishes the paper. The script describes how each piece of paper is smoothed out by a calendar machine, which drastically changes the paper's texture and contributes to its final quality.
💡Cogsis
Cogsis refers to paper-making communities that originated in the 16th century and brought their craft to India. The script mentions that these communities settled in San Ganier, where the local river made it an ideal location for paper production.
💡British Importation
British importation refers to the period in the 1800s when the British Empire began importing paper from mills abroad, which threatened the local handmade paper industry in India. The script notes that many local workshops closed down due to the competition from mass-produced paper.
💡Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was a leader in India's fight for independence and is credited with saving the handmade paper industry. The script mentions that he advocated for local handicrafts during the 1940s, which helped to revive and sustain the traditional paper-making practices in India.
💡Modernization
Modernization in the context of the video refers to the incorporation of machines into the traditional handmade paper-making process to increase efficiency. While the script acknowledges the use of some machines, it emphasizes that the sheet-by-sheet technique remains a distinguishing feature of the handmade paper industry.
Highlights

Paper making in the Indian town of San Ganier has sustained its economy for over 500 years, with much of the work still done by hand.

Kalpana Handmade Papers factory can produce 10,000 sheets in a day, showcasing the efficiency of traditional methods in a modern world.

The process begins with recycling waste from garment factories, turning scraps into pulp for paper making.

Nimi Chant Saini, the owner, is involved in every step of the paper making process, ensuring quality and tradition.

A shredding machine turns larger fabric pieces into a pulp, a process that was once done by hand.

Over 200 pounds of shredded fabric and 1500 liters of water are mixed to create the pulp, a process now mechanized for efficiency.

The crucial step of turning pulp into paper requires years of skill and is done by spreading the pulp evenly onto a sieve.

Specialty papers are created by adding decorations like rose petals during the pulp spreading process.

The paper is pressed using heavy machinery and then hung to dry in the sun for two days.

Each sheet of paper has its cloth removed individually for reuse, emphasizing the sustainable nature of the process.

A calendar machine smooths out each piece of paper, altering its texture significantly.

The paper is then cut to size using a giant paper cutter, and scraps are recycled back into the process.

The arrival of paper communities called cogsis in the 16th century and their settlement in San Ganier marked the beginning of the town's paper making history.

British rule in the 1800s threatened the industry with imported paper mills, but local workshops persevered.

Mahatma Gandhi's advocacy for local handicrafts during the 1940s is credited with saving the handmade paper industry.

Despite modernization, the sheet-by-sheet technique distinguishes this factory from mass-produced paper.

The factory ships paper globally and uses it to create a variety of products, such as calendars and jewelry boxes.

With approximately 40 employees, the business is confident in its future as long as there is demand for paper.

Transcripts

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Handmade PaperSan GanierRecyclingCraftsmanshipEconomic HistoryIndian HeritageSustainable IndustryPapermaking ProcessGandhi's ImpactArtisanal Business