India is considered as one of the earliest civilizations of this world, which faced several ups and downs over the wheel of time-cycle.
Reconstructing a country after a long period of political and socio-economical destruction by the then British Empire is not a task of a day or even a period of 64 years only...especially when we are talking about world’s largest democracy...where world’s almost largest population survives…for a country where more than 6000 local languages are being spoken…almost all the religion of the world exists with its socio-cultural diversities! Some poet expressed his thought about geographical and cultural diversities of India as-
“Meel Meel Par Paani Badle Dus Meel Par Vaani ”
Here ‘Paani’ represents geographical diversity and ‘Vaani’ represents sociological and cultural diversities of this country. In such a critical situation, re-constructing a large country is really a time taking and extensive efforts consuming exercise for the Government of India as well as its regional and state subsidiaries.
After focusing over basic infrastructure development on the path of obtaining “PurnaSwaraj”...the government is more focused to develop India’s “Desi Udyog ewam Dhandhe”- I appreciate government’s efforts. Although Ms. Kamala Devi Chattopadhaya and our first Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru had taken several initiatives just after independence of this India. But I believe, because of other essential infrastructure development demands and priorities, the development of “Desi Udyog ewam Dhandhe” would not be focused to reconstruct as it was expected by Pandit Nehru- at least it was not noticed by the population in majority. But of course, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Orissa like few states are exceptions...not, because of the government’s basic supports only but were the result of the rich tradition of local master-successors in their own ancestral expertise craft-zones.
But within last one decade day-by-day this sector is going noticeably stronger. And now it is a matter of discussion for elite to lower middle economic class’s people- unfortunately Indian lower income group is not an often part- but i wish they will too become a great part (as consumer of the same ‘High End Products’)... and only that day it will nice to say by any Indian that “India is Developed”!!
The development of handicraft Industry or batter say “Rural Craft Industry” is most focused area now a day, because of its potentials and strong presence in the economic development of India as well as in the various existing countries in South Asia. We have a huge wealth of raw materials, traditional techniques, ancestrally or may call as naturally great artisan’s best survived work forces, enthusiastic entrepreneur’s large pool and eagerly weighting consumer-citizens world-wide. Because of all these strengths, government is receiving great revenues in every financial year from domestic and international trades from handicraft industry- I think, the scenario is almost similar in all the South & Central Asian countries including India, China, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, North Korea, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirate, Iran, Kazakhstan etc. I fairly believe that the common reason behind this scenario is the dependency over Mother-Nature. The lands of this reason have a great diversity- highly fertile land to mountains, desert to plateau. History says, out of 4 greatest civilizations of the world, 3 grew in this region- Indus Valley Civilization, Babylonian Civilization and Mongolians’ Civilization are the witness of these greatness. All of these civilizations were self dependent to fulfill their most of the basic needs as well they have trade-relations with other parts of the world too.
Now the question is... Which were the basic needs fulfilling goods? What were the goods of trade? And what is the importance of such goods and services in present era.
Raw Materials:
India is a country of great natural resources. Our geographical and climatic diversity allowed our land to grow best qualities of bamboo, cane, hard and soft woods, stones, clay(s), natural fibers, various ores, various metallic compounds and it’s mixtures, leather, shells, bone of died cattle, dry forest products like-seeds, flowers etc. One day world’s one of the most famous designer, craft-entrepreneur and professor Mr. Tom Dixon asked me in the classroom-“The mother nature blessed this country by its huge range of raw materials and skilled artisans and uncounted traditional techniques. In my opinion, India is the best place to work in mix materials in this world.”
Techniques:
India’s most strong part is innovative thinking in product development. Most of our grass root artisans are calling it as-“Jugaar”. I believe that this is the strongest part of Indian traditional industries. I visited Jawaja and went at various leather artisans’ houses to see their innovative professional approach. I was so surprised that most of the artisans developed their own machines by using their own mind as per their professional requirements. Of course they received few major supports from IIM Ahmedabad, IICD Jaipur and NID. Here I want to appreciate the efforts of Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur and National Innovation Foundation for its remarkable initiatives in this regard. We have master craftsmen in Dhokara, Sea Froth, Damascus, Thewa, Sikki, Sujani, Banarashi and Thanjawur Saari, Bhagalpur Tasar Silk, Kashmiri Pasmina, Golden Grass, Red Terracotta, Temple Architecture and many more great crafts with our own smart tools and techniques. We are almost monopolistic in these crafts and still are “Vishwa Guru”.
Government:
Indian government’s attitude towards strengthening the crafts industry and make it parallel to other hardcore industries like- petrochemicals, power, information technology, medical, construction, transportation is appreciable. Ministry of Textile, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Small Scale Industries, Ministry of Tribal Development etc highly active in this regard. Issuing Artisan Card, Health Card etc and establishing the Indian Design Council, introducing Crafts Mark, Silk Mark etc are appreciable steps by the government.
Training:
Training is the most effective tool for any craft for making them self sustaining. It includes design diversification, new and effective tools and technique for batter production, fundraising for new challenging projects, new fashion and market trends, basic accounting etc. For this purpose, government established few apex crafts focused design and management training institutions like- Indian Institute of Crafts and Design in Jaipur, Crafts Development Institute Srinagar, IRMA, Industrial Design Centre of IIT Mumbai, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai etc. these institutions are offering courses at undergraduate and/or post graduate crafts sector focused courses and produce highly qualified Craft-Techno-Managers. These institutions are offering highest qualities of education. Time to time IICD Jaipur and NID Ahmedabad are offering short term crafts-sensitization related courses. Few other institutes like State Institute for Development of Arts and Crafts, Bhubaneswar offers full time courses at ITI and high school level full time courses. Few NGOs are also running short term courses and workshops.
Young Artisans:
Our most of the working artisan’s are under the age group of 40 years. These enthusiastic and young artisans are the real flag bearer of Indian crafts industry. They are more educated then their ancestors...they have eagerness to make their life more comfortable by batter earnings...they have eyes to own vision and dreams...they are experimental...they are ready to welcome new techniques...they are taking active part in government’s, NGO’s and Self Help Group’s design and skill up gradation workshops nationwide...they know how to make themselves proud by making excellence in their own craft!!
Being a trained crafts product designer, I went through several documents, participated in discussions with active artisans, clusters, NGOs, government officials, students, social activists, teachers, entrepreneurs and researchers in personal interaction sessions in India and abroad, did few successful crafts development projects at grass root level since last several years. Please allow me to share the abstracts with all of you, what I learned! It is just my opinion with which you may agree or disagree. If you could spare some time from your life to give your opinion then please send your feedback at handicraftdesigner@gmail.com.
Thanks,
Santosh Jha
Crafts Product Designer & Thinker
