HANDMADE PAPER PRODUCTS The History of Handmade paper dates to 105AD,with its origin in China.However,in India paper was made from cellulose fibres during 3rd century BC.The handmade paper industry that had flourished in India during the Mughal era gradually declined with the establishment of paper mills during 18th and 19th centuries.Nevertheless,the art of Handmade papermaking was revived under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi.Handmade objects have been a trademark of Auroville.A range of handmade paper products which include lampshades,greeting cards,stationery and accessories are made in Auroshilpam,the industrial zone of Auroville.The grades of paper vary from thin to very thick drawing paper.The most successful items are the special papers:bagasse,bamboo,rice husk,gunny,straw,algae and tea leaves in paper pulp so that an abstract design is created on the paper when it finally emerges.Another type used in marbled paper with which stationery items are made.Marbling is a Japanese art of abstract painting done on water.Every sheet of paper is an individual work of art and varies both in shade and design.The unique feature of these products is the decoration done using tiny,delicate looking pressed flowers leaves which are grown in house,by gardens methods are remarkably simple.The paper cutting is done with simple cutters.In the case of lampshades,paper is pasted on simple welded metal frames.In another,imported Japanese paper is hand torn into small two-inch squares of multiple colours and made into a colourful collage on a white paper background. Viluppuram district: Auroville: Auroshilpam Products Books Stationery Lampshades Tools Electric grinding tubs Metal mesh Felt sheets 1. Freshly plucked flowers are pressed by placing them in white paper put between cardboard sheets in white paper put between cardboard sheets which are kept under pressure in a clamp for several days.A variety of pressed leaves,grass,flowers and stalks are the main decorative elements of the paper products. 2. Handmade paper showing the translucent quality of paper as well as the pipal leaf`s vein sturcture. Mechanical roller Cutters Binding equipment Lamination equipment Plywood clamps A range of stationary products made from handmade paper. Organic materials and nature are predominant themes for developing products. Tray made with laminated handmade paper. Fresh flowers, leaves and stalks are pressed in a clamp. Pressed flowers and leaves are composed on a white handmade paper, fixed with an adhesive and laminated for waterproofing. Production Clusters The translucency of handmade paper lends itself very well for lampshades used in combination with wooden strips.