Handicrafts

A jewel box - the Nettur Petti was used by women in the royal and aristocratic families as well as, in temples to store ornaments

Paola Manfredi’s book, ‘Chikankari; A Lucknawi Tradition’, explores the division of labour that the traditional indigenous art form sees, amongst other things.

Founded in 1999, Dwaraka (Development of Weavers and Rural Artisans in Kalamkari), a not-for-profit organisation spearheaded by Anita Reddy aims to revive Kalamkari and empower the artisans behind the craft.

Since 2013, project SHEN has empowered women in Spiti Valley, engaging them in wildlife conservation and community development.

Few countries have used fabric as a tool to achieve freedom. And that’s the reason why nearly seven decades after India gained its hard-won independence, khadi continues to inspire and amaze people around the globe.

Deriving from Pahari paintings, the Chamba Rumal combines Himalayan miniature art with impeccable embroidery in a tradition that dates back to medieval India.

India’s multiple indigenous art forms are more than just windows into the country’s rich culture and history. Often, they are also important sources of livelihood and empowerment for their artisans. One such art form from Bihar is Tikuli art, empowering the state’s women artisans.

Householders are often at a loss to find recycling methods for flowers used at home or received as gifts. Here are some ways to make the most of these blooms.

The ‘Make in India’ programme is an ambitious nation-building initiative to encourage more multinational and overseas companies to invest in manufacturing in India. However, there are several small and large arts & crafts setups in India that will also benefit from the support of this movement.

India has a rich history and heritage of arts & crafts from different regions, and a growing tourism industry. Combining the two can provide a unique opportunity to help empower livelihoods in parts of rural India while giving India’s crafts heritage the visibility it deserves.