Artisans are an integral part of the Indian society and significant contributors to our national economy. They enhance our aesthetic sense by providing us beautifully crafted products which have carved out a special niche in both developed and developing countries. Thanks to the traditional highly skilled artisans, our country is able to produce high quality handicrafts.
Artisans mostly work in traditional and unorganized sectors in which they are vulnerable to exploitation and low wages. They work hard but do not get enough to maintain a minimum standard of living. As a result they fall in the category of the lower strata of the social and economical hierarchy.
The industrial revolution and globalization of Indian economy through trade, investment and colonial rule limited the growth of traditional industries in India. With cheaper machine-made goods flooding the markets, the traditional crafts had to face a difficult time to compete with them. Trade with Europe destroyed a great deal of artisans and their crafts in India. The modest remuneration they got from their products was not found sufficient to provide a respectable living. As a result some of them were compelled to deviate from their traditional occupations as they did not hope for a better future for their crafts.
The present book studies the socio-economic conditions of artisan and their response to changing economic structure of the country. The study relates the distribution of the artisans with their crafts at macro, meso and micro level. While evaluating the changes and impact of modernization, the study has taken into account the qualitative and quantitative changes, aspirations of the artisans and the introduction of modern tools and techniques. However a critical evaluation of their adaptation to modern techniques has been done in detail for the study area. An attempt has also been made to review the government's plans/schemes to ameliorate the socio-economic condition of the artisans who are mainly a poor and deprived section of our society. The authors deserve appreciation for their elaborate, practical and pragmatic recommendations for the public policy makers to realize the benefits of development towards the artisan communities in our country.
An artisan, also called a craftsman is a skilled manual worker who crafts items that may be functional or strictly decorative including furniture, clothing, jewellery, toys, agricultural tools etc. The use of hands and hand tools impart individuality to each item lacking in manufactured goods. Artisans traditionally work with media such as wood, ceramics, glass, common and precious metals, basketry, textiles, and leather. As an adjective the term is also used to describe handcrafted foods and beverages.
The artisans are an important section of our society. By providing us beautifully crafted products, they enhance our aesthetic life. Besides, they are significant contributor to our national economy. Our handicrafts have carved out a special niche in both developed and developing countries. Thanks to the traditional highly skilled artisans, our country is able to produce quality handicrafts.
The term 'artisan' is used to refer to those people who work with ordinary or simple tools to make things of basic need. They mainly use the locally available resources and make valuable products without the aid of machine. Artisans mostly work in traditional and unorganised sector in which they are vulnerable to exploitation and low wages. Both socially and economically they fall in lower strata of the social hierarchy. These people are mostly engaged in household/cottage industries in which they work hard but do not get enough to maintain a minimum standard of living. A major reason for this sorry state of affair is the middleman who takes out a substantial share of profit leaving very little for the artisans. Most of the household industries in India use tool-based technology which dates back to pre-colonial origin. The artisans thus may be called as skilled manual workers who imagine, plan, and build things with their hands as per the demands mostly of the local people.
Their visions of creativity are accomplished through a wide variety of artifacts. Traditionally, the artisans have been the backbone of the rural society. Yet today, they are the most enigmatic character for rural development, particularly in the face of changing economy. The artisans have been serving. both urban and rural society with their specialised skills. They are involved in practically all works requiring their labour and professional skills like sowing, reaping, oil-milling, and grinding of grain, crushing of sugarcane and the preparation of gur. Though economically, the artisans are backward and living in deteriorating conditions, they are an indispensable section of our society. Artisanal activity in India is carried out in two ways as discussed below:
i. Artisanary in India is a household activity. It contributes largely to the income of the family. Their share in income of the household is accounted for more than half of the total. The relative share in total activities varies from sector to sector. An artisan household can be characterised as one where a significant proportion of total income is gained from manufacturing and processing of goods for the sale. However, there exists a huge diversity of income and status among the artisan community.
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