Tibetan Refugee Self Help Handicrafts, popularly known as TRSHH was established in 1981 by Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) of H.H. the Dalai Lama's charitable trust, which is a registered body based in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, in Northern India. It is one of the oldest handicrafts export house established by Central Tibetan administration in exile.

The main objective is to preserve and promote the rich and the unique arts and crafts of Tibet to the outside world (which is now under Chinese domination) by promoting and helping Tibetan Refugee Handicrafts centres to sell their products through them at fair prices. By doing this they create maximum job opportunities to the fast growing Tibetan population and also provide maximum benefits to the community through aid by trade, so as to create self-help. More importantly, the income generated from the exports goes to CRTC charity funds for rehabilitation, health, culture, education and other welfare and development activities of Tibetan refugees in India. TRSHH is proud to declare that all work forces involved in Tibetan handicraft production centres are free from child labour.

Tibetan Handicrafts

The craftwork has been one of the most important means of occupation amongst Tibetans since generations. The inheritance of Tibetan craftsmanship and artisanship was passed from generation to generation while in Tibet and even in exile. The skills and special knowledge of making various handicrafts item is being preserved and promoted with great importance by the Tibetans in all the handicrafts centres in their respective settlements. Although the Tibetans have adopted modern methods, the age-old traditional methods are still employed in making most of the handicrafts items by the specially skilled and trained Tibetan artisans.

Dolma Boom

The TRSHH emporium is known as Dolma Boom. Here you can always pick up something unique and different. This place offers you a complete Tibetan market experience. From some real jewellery to 'Yata' jackets at Rs 1200- 2200, hand knitted caps at Rs 86, gloves for Rs 80, scarves from Rs 65- 275, socks at Rs 120, shawls for Rs 190 onwards, also junk jewellery with Buddhist symbols, bags, very unique kurtas, traditional Tibetan costumes, icons, bookmarks, tankhas, unusual looking cotton and silk shirts and beads, incense sticks, traditional and folk Tibetan music.

The USP of the place is the carpets and the rugs found here. Every time you drop in the place, it has something new to offer. The place offers a bookshop, which has books about Tibetan literature; you can leaf through the wide array of books here on Tibetan culture, travel and the Dalai Lama. The bookshop houses some of the best authors in South- East Asia. From wall hangings to colourful and striking pictures, postcards, stickers and bookmarks of Buddha and monasteries- the bookshop is well stocked. As for the music you can find music of all the famous musicians of Tibet. Soothing, pure, simple and soft, this music has a magical effect and goes well with the ambience. This kind of music cannot be found anywhere else in the city.

Tibetan Carpets

The craft of Tibet carpet weaving is one of the most ancient and exotic crafts of the world. The weavers of Tibet have a skill that goes back to centuries, a skill that has been handed down with great pride from one generation to the next. The carpets provide come in a wide range of designs and colour combinations with an enduring beauty. Every single motif of Tibetan carpets has a special traditional meaning and signifies traditional blessing such as power, prosperity, good fortune, longevity etc. for the user.

- Jyoti Narang