IMartNepal Offers An Opportunity To Support And Preserve Nepalese Craftmaking Heritage

Online, March 19, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Bikash Shah was carrying out his usual responsibilities as founding member of a not-for-profit organization HelpMyStudy Nepal when he saw the need to widen the scope of the group's charitable assistance. The organization primarily aimed to help empower poor and marginalized families, especially children, by making education easily accessible for them.

Shah, a Web entrepreneur, noticed the plight of needy craftsmen in his native Nepal, a country with a rich culture and world-renowned reputation for its age-old excellence in the art of wood crafting. He observed that if these artisans are not given enough support in their trade, the Nepalese carving heritage handed down through hundreds of generation may one day cease to exist.

To keep this undesirable outcome from becoming reality, he decided to use his past experience in business and fair trade to assist the Nepalese wood crafters.

In 2012, Shah set up an online store, iMartNepal, with the main intention of promoting authentic hand-crafted creations by native artisans through the site. Shah believes that this will encourage patronage and purchase of Nepalese art and crafts. It is hoped that this will eventually lead to the preservation of the ancient carving tradition of Nepal.

iMartNepal showcases a wide collection of unique Nepalese crafts made using different materials. It features creations fashioned out of copper, silver, bronze, gold, and, of course, wood. The products take the form of statues, frames, hangings, book covers, and home furnishings. There also are a select few antiques available for purchase.

The crafts sold are wholly based on Hindu deities and elements, as Hinduism is the predominant religion in Nepal. All of the creations have the signature embellishment characteristic of Nepalese art and culture. The exquisite detailing and intricate flowery patterns display the superior skills of Nepalese artisans.

From a handful of crafts producers, iMartNepal has now gone on to being affiliated with numerous artisan groups that specialize in making and selling high quality metal and wood crafts. The site has served as a window of opportunity for the craftspeople involved, a vehicle that is hoped to help them continue their involvement in this ancient cultural heritage by providing them a decent stream of income.

As such, iMartNepal acts as a bridge that connects buyers of exquisite crafts to an artistic treasure trove that is touted to add elegance and culture to any space it adorns. To encourage patronage, delivery services to the US and Australia comes free of charge.

Shah reiterates that more than acquiring something beautiful for the home, office, or commercial establishment, buying Nepalese crafts should also be seen as a means to helping local artisans continue practicing their craft and a way to uphold this cultural heritage.

The man behind iMartNepal sees it as is more than just a store - it is an avenue that encourages social responsibility among consumers. Shopping at the site is said to be a way to add value to their purchases and make a positive impact to a demographic other than their own.

Aside from supporting local artisans, iMartNepal also assists in promoting education among the poor in Nepal. This support is facilitated by the not-for-profit group HelpMyStudy Nepal, which Shah helped form.

To enquire about the products or of other ways to assist Nepalese craftsmen, contact iMartNepal at 977-01-4331647 (Nepal office) or +61-425127264 (Australian outlet); or email Bikash Shah at [email protected].