Handicraft

http://www.jhea.in/indian-handicraft-industry

http://www.camelcraft.com/bihar-handicrafts.html

http://www.indialine.com/travel/bihar/arts-crafts.html

https://www.craftscouncilofindia.org/indian-crafts-map/bihar/

https://www.indianretailer.com/article/sector-watch/fashion/5-factors-depleting-the-Indian-handicraft-
industry.a5382/

Findings and Suggestions

• The Handicrafts Sector plays a significant & prominent role in the country’s economy. It provides
employment to a vast segment of craft persons in rural, and semi urban areas. It generates
substantial foreign exchange for the country while preserving its cultural heritage.

• Handicrafts have great potential, as it holds the key to sustaining not only the existing set of
millions of artisans spread over length, and breadth of the country, but also for the increasingly large
number of new entrants in the crafts activity.

• Handicrafts are a substantial medium preserve of rich traditional art, heritage, and culture,
traditional skills and talents which are associated with people’s lifestyle, and history.
• Handicrafts are hugely important in terms of economic development. They provide ample
opportunities for employment even with low capital investments and thus become a prominent
medium for foreign earnings.

• From transforming the traditional Indian arts, and crafts to the customized version of an overseas
art form. Unlike in the past when the industry was battling to carve a niche in the market, there is a
great demand Indian handicraft today that is because of being nurtured by different government, and
nongovernmental organizations.

• The market is developing due to the huge demand of its products in terms of utility, cost, and
aesthetics. To centralize, and better organize the sector, the government has also initiated the
concept of Towns of Excellence that are providing recognition to production areas where the
handicrafts have been traditionally developed.

Presently, handicrafts contribute substantially to employment generation, and exports. The

Handicraft sector has, however, suffered due to its being unorganized, with the additional constraints
of lack of education, low capital, and poor exposure to new technologies, the absence of market
intelligence, and a poor institutional framework. It is because of such bottlenecks this sector is
suffering, and is lagging behind; we have highlighted some of the problems which this sector is
facing.

• The manufacturing process takes a lot of time, as it is handmade and requires more time to do a
good work. Which leads to missmatch between actual product demanded, and actual product
supplied, the gap is filled by the machine made products which are very fast in production in nature.

• Use of primitive techniques, high manufacturing cost, and poor quality of products have been one
of the great constraints for the growth of this sector. The people related to this kind of craftsmanship
are so poor that they cannot afford the basic investments and other overhead charges related to
Handicrafts.

• Poor standard of raw materials, lack of standardized vendor, and suppliers, inadequate technical
know-how for product design , and development, and carrying forward of old design from ancient
times does not match the market requirements of the present world.

• Improper pricing of finished products, the absence of proper incentives, and schemes by the
Government of India, unorganized investment patterns, and lack of regular investors are also
hindrances for the proper and smooth growth of this sector.

• Lack of proper marketing channels and poor access to urban markets has been a problem which
needed to be addressed by the government, and the responsible persons for the wellbeing of this
sector which have not seen yet.

Conclusion

Handicraft sector is one of the sectors which can contribute to the success of Make in India mission.
India is one of the important suppliers of handicrafts to the world market and has shown its
importance since years. Handicrafts do not mean to rely only on the handwork, innovation, and
technology can also be collaborated with the mind frame of the artisans for further enhancement in
this sector. However, there are some setbacks which needed to be addressed by the Government,
Local bodies, and NGO’s more than that it is the motivation and inspiration for new entries which
needed to be taken seriously. Finally, we can say that this sector has potential to grow, and there
are people willing to be the part of this sector, all they need is the help from the government, which
can effectively contribute to the establishment of business, and make this sector work as other
organized sectors are working.

Sujini and Khatwa Embroidery is famous as well as beautiful work of handicraft in Bihar. Sujini is a traditional quilt
made with layers of old cloth for inner stuffing and this craft is mostly practiced in rural areas. For embroidery cotton
or colorful threads are mostly used. The design in this craft mostly depicts village scene or religious scene. Khatwa is
a kind of applique work in Bihar used to create decorative items like tents, canopies, shamianas, etc. This craft uses
Persian designs and circular central motif designs.
Madhubani Paintings in Bihar is a craft practiced in Mithilanchal. This is a creative folk painting done by women in the
traditional way. These paintings portray symbolic motifs, and religious scenes. For paintings natural colors are used,
which range from red, yellow, green, ochre, brown and black. Originally, these painting were done by women on the
walls of their houses, while these days the paintings are professionally produced on paper, canvas and textiles for
international and national exhibitions.

Wood Inlay is one of Bihar's ancient crafts that continue to be done with different materials, like metal, ivory and stag-
horn. This craft makes lovely decorative pieces, wall hangings, tabletops, trays, and a number of utility articles used
for daily household needs.

Wood Inlay is one of Bihar's ancient crafts, which is now being done with different materials, like metal, ivory and
horn and so on. This craft makes lovely decorative pieces, wall hangings, tabletops, trays, and a number of utility
articles used for daily household needs

Lacquerware is a famous craft of Bihar. The use of lac has been going on for making beautiful items like boxes and
bangles since early age. It is used to make decorative items and small boxes that most women use for keeping
sindur. These boxes are designed with beautiful motifs.

The rich legacy of Bihar can also be seen in its Stonecrafts. Artisans in Bihar craft Buddhist icons, images and
household articles. Gaya district has traditional stoneware center in Bihar.

Textile printing of Bihar is renown. This craft is done on cotton, wool and silk. Beautiful designs of floral and animal
forms are printed in chunris

Sikki Work is a craft that uses grass, which is then hand-woven into nice baskets and mats

Village paper mache crafts from India are generaly made in every village of India, although village paper mache of
Bihar is more famous, due to its painting style and making style. Artisans of Bihar use to make beautiful crafts with
colourful paintingson them.
Madhubani Painting
Named after the village where it originated, Madhubani paintings have spread the name of Bihar the world over.
Although it is believed to be prevalent from the time of Ramayana, it acquired the deserved recognition only after
1950s. Earlier the paintings were drawn on mud plastered walls during important festivals and personal ceremonies.
For commercial purposes, today they are made on handmade paper, canvas and different types of clothes. Images of
Gods and Goddesses, natural subjects like Sun, Moon, Tulasi Plant, birds, animals and scened of wedding or other
celebrations are the main themes of the painting. Even after so many years the method of production has not
changed a bit. A bamboo sticks wrapped around with cotton is used as the paintbrush and colors used are all
obtained from nature. For example, powdered rice is used as white color, red color comes from red sandalwood or
kusam flower juice, yellow from turmeric.
Bangle Making
The best works of bangle making can be seen in the city of Muzaffarpur which is considered to be the center for
cottage industries. Bangles are an inseparable part of Indian customs and an integral part of make up kit of Indian
women. The raw material is for bangle works is obtained from the forest nearby. The artisans use light fire to craft the
delicate glasses into circular shape. The artisans go by the market demand and their imagination to give them the
most fashionable and contemporary designs. One can buy them from many stores or directly from the homes of the
artisans.
Stone Work
In its peak during the Mauryan period, stone and architecture works became the symbol of the dynasty. One can see
the best of that period in cities like Gaya, Nalanda, and Patna. Apart from monasteries and Stupas, magnificent
statues of Lord Buddha were created. Today, the most important place for stone works is Patharkatti in Gaya district.
It has plenty of blue black pot stone which are cheap and are used for making statues, images and household articles
like the pestle and grinders. It is also among the places in India where architecture works of fountains and tables are
done.
Khatwa
Khatwa is the name given to appliqué works in Bihar. Khatwa is about designing by cutting of one fabric and stitching
the pieces to another fabric. Khatwa is mainly used to create designer tents, canopies, shamianas and much more.
Making of such tents involves work by both men and women. While cutting of clothes is done by men, women use
their expertise in stitching part. Khatwa is also used in designing women garments as well. This is where the real
talent of Bihar people is seen in the work. The designs created are more sharp, intricate and highly appealing. Most
of the garments shop sell these highly artistic clothes.
People in some villages of Bihar are involved only in art works and it is their main source of income. Since the same
skills are passed down to generations, the expertise and innovations are immaculate. So when you are visiting Bihar,
don't forget to buy yourself some really great paintings and some exquisite clothes.