Craft cluster

Puducherr
 Declaration
We hereby declare that the information given in this document is authentic and the
copyright to produce this document in any form is reserved to Footwear Design and
Development Institute (FDDI), Chennai . The diagnostic study was conducted between
28th June 2022 to 29th July 2022 and the information is valid for the year 2022-23.

B.Shwetha
20066009
B.Des Fashion design
Batch 2020 -2024
 Acknowledgement

This project would not have been possible without

the kind support of all the faculty of FDDI, Chennai and
would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to
my college, Footwear Design Development Institute
Chennai for providing me with this opportunity to be a
part of this cluster project . I also thank the artisans of
Ambala Hammocks, Auroville and the humble abode
and for showing generosity by answering our question
and sharing their knowledge of an age old tradition, we
hope that our document serves as valuable resources
for future work in the area .
 Preface
The history of Puducherry is recorded only after the
arrival of Dutch, Portuguese, British and French
traders. By contrast, nearby places such
as Arikamedu, Ariyankuppam,Kakayanthoppe, Villi
anur and Bahour, which were colonised by
the French East India Company over a period of time
and later became the union territory of Pondicherry,
have recorded histories that predate the colonial
period.

The city is home of French tradition and

crafts ,which is being passed down from generation
to generation . I am very thankful for the
opportunity given to us to study an inter-tradition.
This cluster is known for its handmade traditional
pottery, Hammocks, wax lamps, etc.,

It as a valuable lesson and a great experience for us.

As now I have a better understanding of the craft
and the people involved with it. This has truely
been an enlightening experience.
 Objective
The main objective of this craft cluster is to study the
craft which is being practiced by the artisans residing
in the Auroville cluster.

Our sole purpose was to visit the artisans ,learn about

their craft and their tradition they have been nurturing
and carrying over the time period
 Table of content
Introduction
About Puducherry
About cluster
Origin of the crafts
Process
Raw material
Machinery
Tools and techniques
Process of making product
Market
Product line
Market research
Analysis of primary data
Conclusion
Experience
Bibliography
The most widely spoken first language is Tamil, which is native to
88.2% of the population. There are also speakers
of Telugu (5.96%), Malayalam (3.84%) and Urdu (0.69%). The
official language of Puducherry are French,
[4] Tamil, Telugu (in Yanam), Malayalam (in Mahe)

and English.

About puducherry
The Union Territory of Puducherry lies in the southern part of
the Indian Peninsula. The areas of Puducherry
district and Karaikal district are bound by the state of Tamil
Nadu, while Yanam district and Mahé district are enclosed by
the states of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, respectively.
Puducherry is the 29th most populous of the 36 states and
union territories of India, and the third most densely
populated union territory. It has a gross domestic product
(GDP) of ₹210 billion (US$2.6 billion) and ranks.

The Union Territory of Puducherry consists of four small

unconnected districts: Puducherry district (293 km] Karaikal
district (161 km2 or 62 sq mi) and Yanam district (20 km2 or
7.7 sq. mi) on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé district (9 km2 or
3.5 sq mi) on the Laccadive Sea, covering a total area of
483 km2 (186 sq mi). Puducherry and Karaikal have the
largest areas and population, and are both enclaves of Tamil
Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra
Pradesh and Kerala, respectively. Its population, as per
the 2011 Census, is 1,244,464. Puducherry is the smallest UT
in terms of sea coastline length by having a length of 30.6km.
Some of Puducherry's regions are themselves amalgamations
of non-contiguous enclaves, often called "pockets" in India. The
Puducherry region is made of 11 such pockets, some of which
are very small and entirely surrounded by the territory of
Tamil Nadu. Mahé region is made up of three pockets. This
unusual geography is a legacy of the colonial period with
Puducherry retaining the borders of former French India.
All four regions of Puducherry are located in the coastal
region. Five rivers in Puducherry district, seven in Karaikal
district, two in Mahé district and one in Yanam district drain
into the sea, but none originates within the territory.


 Auroville cluster
A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration(a city/town/few adjacent villages
and their adjoining areas)of units producing near similar products and facing
common opportunities and threats.An artisan cluster is defined as geographically
concentrated (mostly in villages/townships)household units producing handicraft/
handloom products.In a typical cluster, such producers often belong to a traditional
community, producing the long-established products for generations.Indeed, many
artisan clusters are centuries old Artisan.

About Auroville Cluster:-

Auroville Cluster falls under Tamilnadu State in Villuppuram district.

The Auroville cluster is able to form 120 plus Artisans & 8 SHGs supporting the
strong work force.The mobilisation gains momentum day by day.
The cluster is a house of many crafts including candles, fragrance, textiles and
hammocks .
 About the crafts
A hammock is a sling made of fabric, rope, or netting,
suspended between two or more points, used
for swinging, sleeping, or resting. It normally consists of one
or more cloth panels, or a woven network of twine or thin
rope stretched with ropes between two firm anchor points
such as trees or posts.

Hammocks were developed by native inhabitants of the

Americas for sleeping, as well as the English.Later, they
were used aboard ships by sailors to enable comfort and
maximise available space, and by explorers or soldiers
travelling in wooded regions. Today they are popular around
the world for relaxation; they are also used as a
lightweight bed on camping trips. The hammock is often
seen as a symbol
of summer, leisure, relaxation and simple, easy living.

This craft is still practiced in the Auroville cluster . As it was

taught by the French and German people who resided in
the French colony of puducherry
The word hammock comes, via Spanish, from
  culture TaínoArawakan word meaning "stretch of cloth" .

The Amerindian origin of the word was often obscured in

English-language sources from the late 18th century
onward. Samuel Johnson claimed that it was
of Saxon origin, but his etymology was soon
debunked. Hamaka was meaningfully transformed into
modern German Hängematte, Swedish Hängmatta and
Dutch Hangmat, and calqued from Swedish into
Finnish riippumatto .


Process
 Raw materials
Organic cotton is grown using methods and
materials that have a low impact on the
environment. Organic production systems
replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce
the use of toxic and persistent pesticides
and fertilizers, and build biologically
diverse agriculture. Third-party
certification organizations verify that
organic producers use only methods and
materials allowed in organic production.
Organic cotton is grown without the use of
toxic and persistent pesticides and
synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal
regulations prohibit the use of genetically
engineered seed for organic farming. All
cotton sold as organic in the United States
must meet strict federal regulations
covering how the cotton is grown.
instruments and tools

1.A rectangular
wooden frame
was
used ,whose
corners were
rounded at the
edges .it consist
of two holes on
the upper
horizontal
slab ,and on the lower horizontal slab .
2.A wooden ladle
which was
shaped very
uniquely ,as it
was used to
run the yarn
ball over and
around it so
the yarn is
placed in
between the
space
given ,as it
was required in knitting of the hammock.
3. Two iron rods for the
leaflets which are the
first step in making the
hammock ,which holds
the product together .
Steps in making
1.The first step was
spinning the yarn
manually ,the ball of
organic cotton given is
manually made into a ball
of required size ,as it will
help the next step in going
smoothly .

2.Then comes the laying of

the leaflets according to
the required size you want
the hammock in.

3.And then the borders

are laid on the first
leaflets .

4.Then the knitting

process is begun ,each
leaflet is knitted with
the use of the wooden
ladle which has the
yarn spaced in-between
it. As the knitting
process gradually
comes to an end , it is
completed with a
 border at the end .

5.The the finished knitted product is sent to the

finishing department , in which the product is
reviewed if it is upto the standard and is
provided with the wooden slab which is
required to hang the product without being
damaged .
Market research
Product range
• In terms of region, the hammock market can be divided into
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and
South America
• North America accounted for a prominent share of the
hammock market. One of the major factors driving the demand
for the hammock market in the region is the use of hammocks
by people for relaxation purposes and increasing recreational
activities such as hiking and outing.
• North America is followed by Europe and Asia Pacific, in terms
of market share, due to changing lifestyle coupled with
increase in disposable income and a rise in spending on
tourism activities
Hammock Market, by Price
• Up to US$ 50
• US$ 50 to US$ 100
• Above US$ 100
• In india
• From 999 to 23,000 rupees .

Hammock Market, by Region

• North America
◦ U.S.
◦ Canada
◦ Rest of North America
• Europe
◦ Germany
◦ France
◦ U.K.
◦ Italy
◦ Spain
◦ Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
 ◦ China
◦ Japan
◦ Australia
◦ India
◦ Rest of APAC
• South America
◦ Brazil
◦ Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
◦ GCC
◦ South Africa
◦ Rest of Middle East & Africa


Segment review
The global  hammock market  is segmented on the basis of type,
material, sales channel and region. By type, the global market is
bifurcated into spreader bar and conventional hammocks. By material,
the market is studied across cotton, Polypropylene, and others. By sales
channel, the market is segmented into offline channel and online
channels. Region wise, the hammock market is studied across North

2020 2030

40

30

20

10

America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.Hammock Market

The report focuses on the hammock market growth prospects,

restraints, and opportunities of the global hammock market.
 Conclusion
In my one month visit to the city and the Auroville
cluster ,I have learnt a lot about the crafts and the artisans
who helped us in learning their crafts . As the Auroville
cluster in puducherry has and is the prime centre of
hammocks and its hand crafted products and all the bright
beautiful colours .

This art has been practiced by the puducherry artisans

for the past decades and I would like to thank everybody
who has been a helpful source to me while learning the
craft .I would also like to thank Mr. Elango ,the owner of
the Ambala Hammocks for for being so kind and providing
us all the necessary raw materials and appointing a staff
for teaching us the craft Mrs.Shiela .

It was a very eye opening and rewarding experience

provided by the artisans, and it was very heartwarming
seeing the artisans working so hard without sacrificing
the quality of the product .

I would also like to thank our FDDI Chennai staffs who

have been a very big support during the craft cluster
month ,without them it wouldn't have been possible .
 experience
puducherry , also known
as Pondicherry or Pondichéry, is a union territory of
India, consisting of four small geographically
unconnected districts.

Auroville is an experimental township in

Viluppuram district, mostly in the state of Tamil Nadu,
India, with some parts in the Union Territory of
Pondicherry in India. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra
Alfassa and designed by architect Roger Anger

My visit to Auroville cluster helped me learn the

craft and as I interacted with the artisans it helped me
get a view in their life , which was very humble and
sublime .

The overall experience was very helpful, unique

and overwhelmingly positive .
 Bibliography
http://www.craftclustersofindia.in/site/Cluster_Directory.aspx?mu_id=3

www.ambalahammocks.com
Made by -B.Shwetha
20066009
B.Des fashion design
[2020-2024 ]