India is home to an estimated 7 million artisans. The
production of handmade products could very well be the second largest source of
employment in rural India after agriculture. In our relentless drive towards
urbanization and job creation requiring new skills, has the handmade sector—handicrafts
and handlooms—been forgotten?
In India like many other developing countries it is the main
source of employment for a vast majority of the population, next to
agriculture.
Historically, the handmade sector in India was characterized
by local demand, inter-dependence of communities, the use of local raw
materials and most importantly, patronage. Lest this gives the impression of
being very romantic and equitable. Over time, all of this has changed. Can this
sector be resurrected?
We live in an era of mass-produced goods where economies of
scale have led to lower prices. New materials have been developed that are not
just cheaper, but more durable and easier to manage. This is a reality that we
must contend with.
Handmade products are not cheap any more. Think about it. If
you want a product that has been made by hand—how can or why should it be
cheap? They are difficult to replicate
hence exclusive, so shouldn’t we pay higher to get it acknowledged.
Handmade products are largely produced in homes, are
conducive for small-scale manufacturing and require ancillary industries and
activities to flourish. In today’s world the online market has taken initiative
to provide market to these craftsmen. Also,
it is very important to retain the ethnic heritage of India.
Indian Handicrafts or say desihandicrafts now available for
online shopping has been popularized by some of the leading websites dealing in
excellent quality of work. Handcrafted items, after all, are the true epitome
of diverse Indian tradition and culture, we need to spread it across the world
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