Nagi enterprise, situated in half Nagarjan, Dimapur, depicts the inborn talents among Nagas in the field of Sculpture and Woodwork. This enterprise was started by K.Nagi. At present the project has six workers most of whom are locals. The experienced workers are paid around Rs 2000-3000 per month while the inexperience workers are paid lesser amount.
One worker Dipu, born and brought up in Nagaland, mentioned that the items were made with collective ideas contributed by all the workers. The woods used for making the sculpture and handicraft comprise mostly of Teak and Kamari which are usually brought from local markets.
Decorative items like tea set, bamboo jewelry box, Naga symbol replica like miniature daos and crossed spears are made. All the items where mostly made according to the demands of customers and they usually make only those items that are ordered by their customers.
One special item that we can observe is the replica of two bear. It is so well made that it gives the impression of seeing a real bear. They have covered the bear with real hide and the nails are also made of original bear nails.
When enquired on the availability of the real bear hide and nails, one worker mentioned that they do not know from where the owner had brought it. He further said that the entire essential requirements for making the sculpture and different items were brought by the owner of the enterprise.
Apart from the mentioned showpiece, they are expert in making heads of different animals; sculpture of whole bodies of animals like Leopard, dear, etc, and one item that is greatly impressive is the wall clock made from wood. The wall clock was so well made and it is even fitted with batteries and the mechanism to give the exact time.
However, even though they could produce the finest wood items, it was said by one worker, that they still could not export the items to other parts of the country and abroad, for lack of resources and manpower. Apart from local markets, one worker said, they had participated in two to three trade fairs outside the state, where the demands for indigenous Naga items were in great demand, especially from the tourist from abroad.
Nagi enterprise is one of its kinds which is not only generating income for self, but it is promoting the Naga indigenous products within and outside the state. It also provides sustenance for the youths by employing them and training them in the field of sculpture and other woodwork. Such kind of local enterprise should be encouraged by one and all. The government should also look after such projects and encouraged those local entrepreneurs by providing grand-in-aid as well as providing proper channels for exporting the items produce by the local entrepreneurs, so that they could be efficiently run.
Atong, Sunep, Peter
