We all have traveled to places. But do you remember buying an artefact which is just local to the place? This is the simplest way we can explain what handicrafts are. With more than 3,000 craft forms (and counting), they are one of the many facets of Indian culture. They come in great numbers of designs, types and colours. They have attracted the attention of all the people across the globe.
Give us a chance to blow your minds with some statistics which will help you gather the importance of this industry in our economy. Handicraft exports from India increased by 6.44 per cent year-on-year during 2018–19 with US$ 3.80 billion. During April 2019-February 2020, export stood at US$ 3.39 billion. Going by the segments, the exports of woodwares stood at US$ 719.48 million, embroidered & crocheted goods amounted to US$ 549.1 million and miscellaneous handicrafts clocked US$ 969.8 million. In addition to this, handprinted textiles & scarves earned US$ 329.34 million, imitation jewellery brought in US$ 210.6 million and art metalwares stood at US$ 444.41 million. Well? Had you expected the number to be this big? Indian handicrafts are exported across geographies to countries like the US, the UK, the UAE, Germany, France to name a few. Having stated the numbers, will it be wrong to say that India is sitting on an untapped goldmine? No. We are sure you agree too.
The world has marveled at the craftsmanship of the historical monuments in India and this brilliance drips down into handicrafts as well. Rightly so, because they are all unique. Let us look at the tailwinds that will help the industry become bigger than ever:
Aesthetics: The handicrafts industry drives sustainability by integrating people, planet and profits, the components of Triple Bottom Line. More than 70 lakhs people earn their livelihood from utilising their artistic skills to make environmentally friendly items.
Adaptation: The artists who are skilled in making these handicrafts are coming up with new ideas and designs. These items have taken up the shape of the mixture of modern and traditional designs, which is attracting people of the modern world also.
E-commerce: The e-commerce boom has empowered small business owners to list their business online and directly increasing the sales. With the increased online presence of the manufacturers and exporters, customers will also have a whole lot to choose from.
Diversity: Given that there are innumerable art forms that brim in the rural segments of the nation, the underlying opportunities in this segment are immense. In this regard, the market for handicrafts is developing in unprecedented ways. For example, thematic weddings, interior décor and fashion.
Now we are going to tell you one more less popular reason that can help this industry go big. YOU. Yes, you read that right. You can help thehandicrafts industry prosper. But you may be wondering why? The reasons are two-fold:
1. The handicrafts are the best way to practise sustainability in everyday life. From the least expensive things like jute bags to valuables like jewellery, they can easily qualify the best ways to become sustainable.
2. It is the pride of our nation and the livelihood of 7 million artisans. To paint a picture for you, handicrafts become a lucrative source of income for the artisans who otherwise would have moved to urban areas for opportunities.
We hope we were able to give you strong reasons as to why the industry will prosper. With the right support and a conducive business environment, the Indian craft sector has the scope to become a billion-dollar industry across the globe, exemplifying all that is best about Made in India.