Indian craft sector is in need of social entrepreneurs who have a vision and a strong will to revive crafts and help artisans build a sustainable model for times to come. By Swati Sharma
Dayasagar Joshi, a promising Chanderi weaver (Chanderi cotton, once comparable to Dacca Muslin, is a fine cotton weft that is hand made without compromising on the intricate gold borders and jewel like buttis) from a small village of Madhya Pradesh, had a big canvas of dreams. But it didn't last long. Acute poverty hit him hard and he was forced to leave his home to make both ends meet. Dayasagar left behind his wife and two kids and decided to go to Delhi in search of an opportunity.
Well, he got one (not many are that lucky!) as he was able to set up a small stall at Dilli Haat in South Delhi to sell and exhibit his work. Though it was with the help of a middleman, he was happy that he had at least started earning a decent amount that he would now be sending back home to his wife and kids. But, he soon realised that his craftwork were being underpriced and he was not getting the actual value of his efforts. Subsequently, he also understood that a fair amount of the selling price of his work was going to the middleman or distributor who was helping him in finding a market for his products. In fact, for every piece Dayasagar sells, he has to give 35% of the profit to the distributor.
"Even after the struggle, I love doing my work and get a lot of appreciation, but it would be nice if I get the real price of my work. I am happy that finally I succeeded in showcasing my work. But there are hundreds of craftsmen like me who are getting raw deals for their works,” Dayasagar tells B&E. Like him, several craftsmen have the same grouse that they do not get a decent price for their work; but then, they really don't have any other option. The reality is that scores of Indian craftsmen are leading vagabond lives in order to earn their daily bread and butter. In fact, today the situation is such that there are few takers for this profession. Having seen their parents struggle to sustain their family, the younger generation is now in search of other lucrative jobs.
No doubt, Pashmina from Kashmir, Ikkat from Orissa to the ever-lasting Batik and Tie and Dye of Rajasthan to Madhubani paintings, metal works and pottery, all showcase the rich craftwork and cultural heritage of India, but at the same time they also reveal the pain of millions of artisans who are behind these masterpieces. Although the handicraft products are today going global and the demand for these items is on the rise (exports of handicrafts, which was just Rs.3.87 billion in FY1986-87, has increased manifolds to reach a level of Rs.87.18 billion in FY2009-10 with major buyers being the US, Canada, Europe and the West Asian countries), artisans and craftsmen have increasingly become dependent on the middle-men, like petty merchant capitalists who pay much lower amount to the artisans. In addition, the government's initiative to create cooperatives has not been much successful. A report says there are over 4 million craftsmen in India, based mostly in the villages. But they hardly interact with buyers and don't have the necessary skills to safeguard their own interests.
Dayasagar Joshi, a promising Chanderi weaver (Chanderi cotton, once comparable to Dacca Muslin, is a fine cotton weft that is hand made without compromising on the intricate gold borders and jewel like buttis) from a small village of Madhya Pradesh, had a big canvas of dreams. But it didn't last long. Acute poverty hit him hard and he was forced to leave his home to make both ends meet. Dayasagar left behind his wife and two kids and decided to go to Delhi in search of an opportunity.
Well, he got one (not many are that lucky!) as he was able to set up a small stall at Dilli Haat in South Delhi to sell and exhibit his work. Though it was with the help of a middleman, he was happy that he had at least started earning a decent amount that he would now be sending back home to his wife and kids. But, he soon realised that his craftwork were being underpriced and he was not getting the actual value of his efforts. Subsequently, he also understood that a fair amount of the selling price of his work was going to the middleman or distributor who was helping him in finding a market for his products. In fact, for every piece Dayasagar sells, he has to give 35% of the profit to the distributor.
"Even after the struggle, I love doing my work and get a lot of appreciation, but it would be nice if I get the real price of my work. I am happy that finally I succeeded in showcasing my work. But there are hundreds of craftsmen like me who are getting raw deals for their works,” Dayasagar tells B&E. Like him, several craftsmen have the same grouse that they do not get a decent price for their work; but then, they really don't have any other option. The reality is that scores of Indian craftsmen are leading vagabond lives in order to earn their daily bread and butter. In fact, today the situation is such that there are few takers for this profession. Having seen their parents struggle to sustain their family, the younger generation is now in search of other lucrative jobs.
No doubt, Pashmina from Kashmir, Ikkat from Orissa to the ever-lasting Batik and Tie and Dye of Rajasthan to Madhubani paintings, metal works and pottery, all showcase the rich craftwork and cultural heritage of India, but at the same time they also reveal the pain of millions of artisans who are behind these masterpieces. Although the handicraft products are today going global and the demand for these items is on the rise (exports of handicrafts, which was just Rs.3.87 billion in FY1986-87, has increased manifolds to reach a level of Rs.87.18 billion in FY2009-10 with major buyers being the US, Canada, Europe and the West Asian countries), artisans and craftsmen have increasingly become dependent on the middle-men, like petty merchant capitalists who pay much lower amount to the artisans. In addition, the government's initiative to create cooperatives has not been much successful. A report says there are over 4 million craftsmen in India, based mostly in the villages. But they hardly interact with buyers and don't have the necessary skills to safeguard their own interests.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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