Engaging students with craft and sustainability
Sudhir Tiranga is a Professor at Fashion and Lifestyle Design Department in Pandit Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak, Haryana. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accessory Design from National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi. He has worked in Liberty Shoes Ltd, Karnal as a Footwear Designer. As a freelancer he consulted for Indian Handicraft Consultancy for Indian Ministry of Textiles.
Mentoring students from NIFT Chennai and NIFT Delhi while handling a corporate job was when he realised his potential to transfer his knowledge to others. His attendance as a jury member in NIFT Delhi further pushed him towards academics. Initially he served as a Coordinator for Foundation Program for four streams of Design in Pandit Lakhmi University.
Design in his opinion is more than just creating something. It has a bigger purpose, it is everywhere in cooking, eating etc. It is a process of self-expression to create a practical environment. He started a program My Craft Shala in 2010 to create craft awareness among school students. He and his team of My Craft Shala visited schools to give workshops on a regular basis. This program engages with students about craft, production process, use of raw materials, sustainability etc. He urges intervention at school level to mitigate climate change so as to sensitise citizens of the future.
He has a vision to research tribal tattoos. In his opinion entrepreneurship can help mobilise the tribal communities. Craft has to touch the masses rather than being limited to a few. He wants to write a book for students both for school students as well as design students.