Indian

Craft
Practices
"THEN AND NOW”

AMRUTHA,DHRITI,
NEHA,NIMISHA,SAMIDHA
What is ‘Craft’?
Craft is any activity involving skill in making things by hand by carrying out an
instruction or following a convention to create an object. It may or may not be
utilitarian but always has a cultural aesthetic and is related to a community’s
livelihood. In other words, for a utilitarian object to be considered a craft, it must
be aesthetically appealing and socio-economically valued by people and should
represent a community’s cultural heritage.
 The history of handicrafts in India dates back to 5,000

Origin
BC when handmade crafts were primarily centred
around religion. Several types of arts and traditional
crafts of India that can be seen in modern exhibits date
back to the Indus-Valley civilisation, which
flourished around 3,000 BC. Indian crafts underwent
a major development during the Vedic Age and
continued to advance in the fields of textile, stone,
metal, painting, pottery, and wood.

Then, in the third century BC, fashion changed, and the craft of sculpting and the production of
modern jewellery flourished during the Mauryan era. The Gupta era (320–647 AD) saw
great skill in stone carving, weaving, woodcarving, sculpture, and jewellery-making.
The later-era handicrafts of textile, leather goods, and metalworking revealed a strong British
impact on Indian crafts, which later changed in line with traditional arts and crafts of India.
 Types of Crafts
Material / Medium

TEXTILE STONE CRAFT PAPER

WOOD WORK LEATHER PAINTINGS

JEWELLERY CRAFT
POTTERY / CERAMICS
HANDICRAFTS
METAL CRAFT
Textile
Weaving
Embroidery
Printing

Pottery /
Ceramics
Terracotta
Blue Pottery
Khavda Pottery
Wood craft
wood Carving
Lacquer Work
Sandalwood
Carving

Metal Craft
Dhokra
Bidriware
Brassware
Bell Metal Craft
Stone craft
Marble Inlay Work
Stone Carving

Jewellery Craft
Kundan and Meenakari
Filigree
Beadwork
Leather craft
Kohlapuri Chappals
Mojari
Banjara Bags

Paper Craft
Papier- mâché
Santhali Scrolls
Handicrafts
Basket weaving
Jute Craft
Coir Craft

Paintings
Madhubani
Warli Art
Pattachitra
Major Indian
Crafts
(HIGHEST REVENUE GENERATING CRAFT INDUSTRIES)
Madhubani Painting Rajasthani Miniature Painting
One of the oldest traditional paintings of India Introduced to the land of India by the Mughals.
is originated from the Mithila region in Bihar
Mughal ruler Humayun brought artists from
about 3000 years ago.
In 1934 the British officer William Archer came
Persia, who specialized in miniature painting.
across them under the rubbles of a Akbar built an atelier for them to promote the
devastating earthquake in Mithila. rich art form.
Compared them to the paintings of modern Produced paintings in a new distinctive style,
artists like Mira and Picasso.
Played a major part in representing women in
inspired by the royal and romantic lives of the
a male dominated society. Mughals.

Kalamkari Painting Phad Painting

Started in the environs of the Hindu temple. Pur is considered by the artists to be the
Consists of a combination of dyeing and block place where phad painting began.
printing with vegetable dyes applied by means Many consider the town of Shahpura to be
of blocks or a bamboo pen. the place of origin.
It originated as a religious tapestry it became Currently, the paintings are done in the
a secular craft under Muslim rule.
towns of Bhilwara and Shahpura.
‘Kalamkari’ started in the 17th century. The
Taditionally commissioned by the Bhopa
word ’Kalamkari’ evolved when the Golconda
and initiated on an auspicious day.
Sultans called the craftsmen as ‘kalamkars’.
The pen or brush was the ‘kalam’. ‘Kalamkari’ Saraswati, the goddess of learning and
thus literally means, art work done using a creative sciences is invoked at this time and
pen. a virgin girl makes the first stroke.
 Textile Crafts
Block Printing
Dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization around
3500-1300 BC
Flourished under Mughal patronage
Motifs derived from flowers, animals and
geometric patterns
Direct, Resist and Discharge are the three widely-
used techniques
Examples: Ajrak, Bagru, Sanganeri, Kalamkari
Weaving/ Handlooom
Weaving is the process of interlacing threads to create fabric &
handloom is a type of loom used to weave fabric by hand
India’s largest cottage industry
History of handloom in India can be traced back to the Indus
Valley civilization & Mohenjo-Daro.
Traditional handloom textiles use natural dyes.

Embroidery
The origins of Indian embroidery can be traced back to the
Indus Valley Civilization, which existed from 3300–1300 BCE
It is classified into rural, tribal, folk, and elite
Indian embroidery is often inspired by nature, religion, and
mythology.
 Jewellery Making
The origin of jewellery stretches through centuries, and it is believed to
be more than 5000 years old, touching the era of Ramayana and
Mahabharata.
The Mughal Empire, with its Persian influence, dramatically
transformed Indian jewelry making
Techniques Techniques like Kundan,
Meenakari, Jadau, etc. were
introduced.
 Leather Crafts
The first reference to leather in the Indian culture was found in the Vedas, dated
around 3000 B.C that referred to “mashaks” – leather water-carrying bags.
India is a global leader in leather production, contributing to around 13% of the
world's leather production.
Artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization show that leather craft had its roots
in ancient India.
Kolhapuri chappals from Kolhapur, Santiniketan Patterns from West Bengal and
saddles from Bikaner and Jaisalmer are some of the most famous products.
Indian craft
(then and now)
Indian crafts have a rich, centuries-old tradition, evolving from royal
patronage and local craftsmanship to a global marketplace. From intricate
textiles to metalwork, pottery, and weaving, traditional artisans have
shaped India's cultural identity. However, the journey of these crafts has
been marked by shifts in patronage, market forces, and social change.
Today, while traditional crafts still hold cultural significance, they face new
challenges in the modern era. These challenges have altered the way these
crafts are produced, marketed, and valued, leading to both decline and
revival efforts.
Purpose and Functionality

Then Now
Shifted to serve decorative and aesthetic
Utilitarian and Religious purposes.
needs.
Crafts were integrated into daily life
Used for special occasions rather than
Pottery for storing grains
daily utility.
Textiles for clothing,
The rise of mass production has also
Religious rituals
reduced the functional role of handmade
Architectural decoration.
crafts in everyday life.
Artisans created items for local use.
 Techniques and Tools

Then Now
Used locally sourced Mix of traditional and

natural materials modern materials.

Entirely handmade Plastic and artificial dyes are

Techniques were labor- used to cut costs

intensive Modern machinery to speed

Required significant skill up production

and time, Crafts adapted to modern

techniques
Cultural and Religious Significance

Then Now
Many crafts have become secular
Crafts had deep connections with
religion and ritual. (eg: Madhubani art ) and globalized.

Sculptures, pottery, paintings, and The symbolism of certain crafts has

textiles were often made for temples, diminished as they cater more to modern
religious ceremonies, and festivals. tastes and markets, both domestic and
international.
 Economic Impact

Then Now
Globalization of Indian crafts
Essential part of the local economy,
Artisans still work in rural areas.
Pottery villages,
E-commerce has allowed artisans to
Weaver families.
reach global consumers.
Bad impact of mass production.
Local artisans struggle to compete with
machine-made goods.
 Design and Innovation

Then Now
Traditional designs reflected religious, Modern designs blend traditional
cultural, and natural motifs. techniques with contemporary
aesthetics.
Styles were consistent, following local
Collaboration between designers and
artistic traditions. artisans caters to urban and global
Crafts served functional and spiritual tastes.
Crafts are now often decorative or
purposes.
luxury items, with a focus on fusion
and innovation.
 Patronage and Market

Then Now
Supported by royals, temples, and Patronage from governments,
merchants. NGOs, and private buyers.
Emperors commissioned grand Globalized market with online
works. platforms.
Focus on local artistry, like "Make in India" and design fairs
sculptures, textiles, and jewelry. promote crafts.
 Social Role of Artisans

Then Now
Highly respected in society. Status diminished with industrialization.
Governed by guilds (Shrenis). Many face economic hardship.
Craftsmanship passed through Renewed interest in handmade goods.
generations. Efforts to revive crafts and improve
livelihoods through NGOs, government &
Valued for their knowledge and skills.
private initiatives.
 Sustainability and Revival

Then Now
Indian crafts were sustainable, Modernization introduced less
using eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices with synthetic
local resources. materials.
Craft practices were low-waste and A movement toward eco-friendly
community centered production . crafts is growing, with efforts to
revive endangered art forms
supported by governments and NGOs.
 How and what changed?

Colonialism, Industrialization Middlemen & Economic Loss of Skills & Changing

& Globalization Pressures Consumer Preferences

British imports and mass Exploitation by middlemen, Younger generations showed

production during colonial rising costs, and limited less interest in traditional crafts,
rule reduced demand for access to markets left consumers moved to cheaper
handmade goods. The loss of artisans with low wages and mass-produced items, and the
local patrons (royal courts, little control over their loss of cultural appreciation
zamindars) further earnings contributed to the decline of
weakened traditional crafts. traditional craftsmanship.
 Challenges and Solutions at present

Challenges Solutions
Declining Artisan Livelihoods Fair Trade Practices
Lack of Market Access, Exposure Government Support (MAKE IN INDIA)
Loss of Traditional Knowledge and Skills E-commerce Platforms
Competition from Machine-made Products Craft Fairs and Exhibitions
Inconsistent Quality and Lack of Strategic Branding, Design Interventions
Standardization Promotion of Authenticity and Exclusivity
Cultural Appropriation and Sustainable and Ethical Consumerism
Commercialization Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness
Intellectual Property Rights (G.I tags )
References
THANK YOU