Indian Art and Craft Industry- An Overview

India is a land where every corner is evident with the greatness of art and craft. The traditional quintessence of Indian art and craft can be seen even in the daily used objects like earthen pot, mugs, bed-sheets or any such things. The objects are created with a great creativity that portrays magnificent work of art. That is what Indian art and craft industry is!

Indian art and craft is an old saga. Although, the present state of the industry is flourishing with a touch of contemporary designs and patterns but it is deeply entrenched with the rich craft customs from the past. The uniqueness in the Industry lies in its own way.

India’s richness in art and craft can be seen in every product whether garments, jewelries or household furnishings. These products are a perfect mix of traditional designs and modern techniques. Due to their diversity in designs and their being utilitarian in nature, they are high in demand. This has given many Indian traders to invest in the industry and flaunt Indias custom across the world. Products such as table mats, napkins, bed sheets, lamp shades etc are made out astoundingly with the use of natural material, textile printing, block printing, tie and die, hand printing etc, and are much in demand. Gems and jewelries are other obsession of India. The rising demands in gems and jewelries have transformed Indian craft traditions into a full-grown organized industry. Garments such as woolen shawls and phirens from Himachal, traditional sarees ranging from Banarsi Amru, Tanchoi, Paithani, Patola, and Kancheevaram are the most popular export garments. Indias zardozi and brocade work are highly recognized these days. Other utilitarian craft products like cushions, curtains, bedcovers, sheets, metal furniture, wood furniture, boxes, cabinets, terracotta items, utensils, garden pots, papier-mch products, brass and silverware, carpets, rugs and durries from Kashmir, jute and coir items, wood and stone sculptures, traditional paintings, decorative pieces, embellished wooden sculptures, stone and wood carvings, and many more are on the rise in India as well as in abroad.

Here is the Swot Analysis of the Indian art and craft industry that gives you more information on the present status of the industry;

Strengths

• The industry has potential in domestic as well as international markets.
• It provides wide variety in each product and exhibit diversified culture of India.
• Industry caters to the different market sectors covering handicrafts, textiles and jewelries.
• Gives potential source of employment
• It requires low capital investment
• It is a great source of foreign revenue as it is a huge export industry.

Weakness

• Industry lacks communication and infrastructure
• Lack of co-ordination between Indian manufacturers-exporters and Government
• Inadequate information available on new technology
• Industry is still confined to rural areas of the nation
• No promotional support is given to the sector

Opportunities

Emerging demands of Indian crafts across overseas

• Development of retail sectors and changing lifestyles offer huge requirements of such products
• Rise in the industry is due to development in tourism
• Internet has emerged as a mean to develop its market network

Threats

• Increasing competition in domestic markets
• Quality products manufacturing by countries like South Africa and China
• Better trade terms are offering by these countries
• Competing countries offer better technological support and RD development facilities
• Challenge to establish balance between demand and supply of quality products

The reason why Indian art and craft is highly appreciated and constantly flourishing in domestic and foreign markets are due to its utilitarian nature and high acceptance among people of India and people across the whole world.