An Indian cane weaver has won a Crafts Prize, given by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to creative crafts workers.
Master craftsman Mantu Chandra Das received his award, carrying a cash prize of $2,000 (about Rs 90,000) and a diploma from Human Resource Development Ministry Secretary Sudeep Banerjee on Tuesday at a function in the Ministry.
An HRD statement said the craftsman had been given the UNESCO Craft Prize-2005 for the Asia-Pacific Region for his outstanding contribution to creativity in Bamboo and Cane Weaving.
The award jury appreciated Das for the very fine weaving and detailed patterns of the 'Kula' basket, traditionally used during marriages," the statement said.
The UNESCO Crafts Prize is awarded annually on the occasion of a regional crafts exhibition as a reward for the creativity of craftsmen and women, besides providing encouragement to innovation, aesthetic flair and recognition of market trends.
The prize consists of a sum of $10,000 (about Rs 4.5 lakh) divided into three categories of first $5,000 (about Rs 2.3 lakh), second $3,000 (about Rs 1.3 lakh), and the third $2,000 (about Rs 90,000) with a diploma.