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Handicrafts| Photo: Shweta Vitta
Manipal: The Indian Handicraft Industry comprises of a vast cultural and ethnic diversity that has imbibed an array of themes, techniques, crafts and craftsmanship. Each work of art completed successfully, displays the emotions of the craftsmen, apart from being unique. Presently the global market of handicrafts is valued at US$ 400 billions, but India's share remains only 2%. The growth of the Indian Handicrafts has been plagued by several drawbacks and the maximum lifespan of the industry has been estimated to be no more than 5-10 years from now.
"This industry needs patience, which the younger generation today lacks, making it the prime reason for the stagnancy of this industry, for there is unavailability of craftsmen and skilled labour to continue this wonderful art. Besides this, insufficiency, constant hike in prices and shortage of raw material like wood, metal, brass, timber, bronze etc. is a major drawback", says Mr. Riaz, shopkeeper, The Cascade, an exclusive handicraft showroom in Empire Mall, Mangalore.
Though people are aware of the value and importance of this art, there is still a major part of the population that needs to be directed towards the Indian Handicraft Industry, and made aware of its presence, for a large number of people today prefer manufactured machine-made goods, as they are cheaper and easily available.
"What was once priceless is now available in the road-side shops and flea markets in China, which manufactures machine-made art, which in turn, is bought by the Indian market. And because the prices between hand-made and manufactured goods differ to a great extent, countries like China and Thailand thrive. But what people don't realise is that, the goods imported to India are of a very bad quality, as compared to other countries. All the handicraft goods in India are manufactured in China and can be easily available at www.madeinchina.com", says Mr. Parviz Ahmed Mir, owner of The Cascade, whose father Mr. Ali Mohammed Mir started this shop in 1974 in Mangalore.
The Indian government should exempt taxes in the industry for they have to realise that the industry is run by poor people. There are taxes at all stages- while buying raw material, finishing the product, an import tax and an export tax. This inhibits the growth of the handicraft industry, for the prices increase, and no one invests in them. What the government probably is not aware of, is that the manufacturers calculate the time, raw materials and provide the graphs accordingly to the craftsmen. On an average, a craftsman earns about 150-200 rupees per day for working almost 10 hours a day, whereas a specialised craftsman gets no higher than 300 rupees per day. The craftsmen, seller, retailer, and the buyer will be interested to promote the art only if the taxes are exempted", explains Mr. Parviz, who also adds that on the brighter side there are a lot of exhibitions being held which sell handicraft items.
"Until the delicate filigiri, jaali work, zardosi, tapestry, wood carvings and other exquisite forms of art like these continue, this art will never die, for these are types of work which no machine or technology can provide," he added.
India is one of the few countries gifted with diverse nature, and a variety of skilled and specialised craftsmen will witness steady growth, to evolve into a high revenue grosser if the contribution of Indian Handicraft industry if the rural Indian economy is realised and the government takes necessary steps to absorb products from these industries and have liberal trade and export policies.
"The Indian Handicraft industry is rich and priceless and is known for its ethnicity and elegance. Though it's definitely not a good sign in terms of the growth of industry, but hopefully if the government intervenes in a positive way, there may be chances that the coming generations would want to continue appreciating the rich heritage of our country", adds Mrs. Sunita Kattapady, who loves collecting original art of any type.
Sub-edited by Akruti Rao
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