State Handicraft Councils, India

State Handicraft Councils

India is a country that nurtures a wide variety of exquisite handicrafts from wooden to textile. Various states from India presents excellent variety of handicrafts with distinct style and tradition. Each state has set up a corporation to promote the art in the respective states. Here we are featuring some of the state handicraft corporations dedicated to the upliftment of handicrafts.

Handloom Development Corporation 'POSHISH'
Creating opportunities to have expansion and development of handloom industry. Jammu and Kashmir State Handloom Development Corporation, incorporated in 1981, commonly known by Trade name 'POSHISH', is a State Government undertaking. The main objective of the Corporation is to expand and develop the handloom industry in the State by providing sustained work to handloom weavers. About 3000 weavers in the State are being provided work through various Handloom Development Projects omestic and international market. Trained textile experts professionally manage the Projects. In order to maintain quality, each and every meter of the fabric goes through a several inspections by qualified experts. The corporation operates through a chain of retail outlets in J&K state, Delhi, Calcutta, Jaipur, Changer and in other areas through agencies. Its is a main supplier of textile items to State Government Departments and a few Central Govt. Depts. And it also sells in private, whole sale market, which confirm the quality of products and suitability. The corporation is actively involved in the revival of old crafts of Kani Shawls and Pashmina Embroidered Shawls. Recently, the corporation reproduced 60 masterpieces of Embroidered Pashmina Shawls of the 16th and 17th century. It continually receives orders from all over the country, Europe and Japan for its range of Pashima Shawls. They also deal in woolen tweeds to woolen blankets, shawls, cotton khadder to Dusooti Bed Sheets.
JAMMU & KASHMIR STATE HANDLOOM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LTD. AD Sector, Green Belt Park, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu-180 004 Tel: (0191) 431 264 Fax: 433 626 113/T-88, Masjid Road, Jangpora, Bhogal, New Delhi-110 014. Tel: (011)431 8055 Fax: 431 4309.
NORTH EASTERN HANDICRAFTS AND HANDLOOMS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LTD. (NEHHDC)Protecting the fine heritage of handicrafts and handlooms. The North Eastern Region of India bordering the snowy mountain ranges of the Himalayas, the lush tropical forests of Myanmar and the plains of Bangladesh comprises of the seven states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. The population of the region is as diverse as its topography. From time immemorial, the daily life of its people, culture, crafts and tradition have revolved around nature's endowments of lush forests of timber, cane bamboo and other bounties. The abundant supplies of bamboo, silk and cotton have yielded a fine heritage of handicrafts and a rich tapestry of handloom products of every day use. The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of Department of Development of North Eastern Region. The NEHHDC was set up in March 1977 with Headquarters at Shillong ( Meghalaya ). It has offices in Guwahati and New Delhi while its Purbashree Emporia is at New Delhi, Guwahati, Shillong, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai. NEHHDC is responsible for promotion, development and marketing of handicrafts and handloom products of the N.E Region. For Further Details Contact: NORTH EASTERN HANDICRAFTS AND HANDLOOMS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LTD. (NEHHDC) Upper Lachumiere Shillong 793001 Meghalaya India Phone: 91-364-223513 Fax : 91-364-223513 Email: necrafts@dte.vsnl.net.in
The Gujarat State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited
Creating new avenues on the horizon of state handicrafts. The Gujarat State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited was established in 1973, to develop, promote and market the exquisite handicrafts of Gujarat, which is renowned since ancient times to the present day. The marketing outlets of the corporation, located in the leading cities of India are known as 'gurjari'. They can be identified instantly by the circular golden symbol representing a smiling sun, surrounded by brilliant rays of light. Apart from their outlets, they also have their sales exhibitions & Melas in other cities as well, wherein craftsmen give live demonstration of their traditional crafts. Its marketing Outlets are available in the following locations throughout India:
AHMEDABAD:'gurjari' Nr. Sales Tax Bhavan, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad - 380 009 Gujarat , India Phone - 91-79-6589505 Email: ahmedabad@gurjari.co.in
DELHI: 'gurjari' 6/A, Emporia Complex, Baba Kharaksing Marg, New Delhi -110001 Phone - 91-11-3363803 Email: delhi@gurjari.co.in
MUMBAI:'gurjari' 27,Khetan Bhavan , Churchgate, Mumbai - 400062 Phone - 91-22-2852143 Email: mumbai@gurjari.co.in
KOLKATA: 'gurjari' C .I.T. Shopp. Complex, Dakuriya Over bridge, Gariahah Road, Kolkata - 700068 Phone - 91-33-4732117 Email: kolkata@gurjari.co.in
CHENNAI:'gurjari' Chaitanya Building, 12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Chennai - 6 Phone - 91-44-8250619 Email: chennai@gurjari.co.in
BANGALORE:'gurjari' 31, Pinto Tower, Residency Road, Bangalore-560041, Phone - 91-80-5583425 Email: bangalore@gurjari.co.in
HYDERABAD:'gurjari' Hotel Sarovar, Secretariat Road, Hydrabad- 500004, Phone - 91-40-240149 Email: hyderabad@gurjari.co.in
LUCKNOW: 'gurjari' Airconditioned Market, Hazrat Gunj, Lucknow-226001 Phone - 91-522-211584 Email: lucknow@gurjari.co.in
Tamilnadu State Cooperative Handicraft CorporationAn apex body to fulfill the need of handicraft community. Among a large variety of handicrafts and cottage industry products, the state of Tamilnadu has retained the glorious artistic excellence in silver filigree, applique, stone-carving, brass and bellmetal goods, horn works, terracotta and patta painting etc. Company on 26.7.73 under the Companies Act, 1956. The Corporation started its functioning from 01.08.1973 exercising the control on the handicrafts sales emporia/depots and the training-cum-production centres in various crafts, which was earlier in the control of Industries Department and Tamilnadu State Co-operative Marketing Society Limited. The registered Office of the Company is functioning at 759, Anna Salai who acquired the name of Poompuhar after taking over the sales emporia/ depots and Training-cum-Production Centres from Government. Named after the legendary Chola seaport, which gave the world, the treasured heritage of Tamil Nadu handicrafts. The main objectives of the Corporation are as follows: i) Undertaking job of marketing of the handicrafts produced by the artisans of Tamilnadu. ii) To impart training to artisans in a view to upgrade their skills and improve productivity and quality of the product. The emporium displays and showcases the exquisite pieces of art ranging from woodworks to delicate paintings. It displays the woodwork or metalwork, fibre products or handloom textiles, gems or paintings. Icons and lamps hold centre-stage which symbolizes the Deepam, Agni ( god of fire and Surya ( the sun god ). There are variety of lamps ranging from the freestanding lamps, Aarathi (prayer) lamps, Deepalakshmi (Goddess of the lamp), hand lamps and chain (hanging) lamps. All lamps are made according to the Shilpa Shastras (canons of sculpture) and are available in sizes from six inches to six feet and weighing anywhere between 50 grams and 500 kilograms, they are made of high quality brass.
Address: Poompuhar The Tamilnadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, ( a government of Tamilnadu undertaking) 818, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002. Phone: 852 0624 Fax: 855 0157 www.chennaibest.com
Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd,Enhancing the traditional values through its effective functioning. Kerala is not only a land of infinite charm and infectious gaiety, but also hosts the exquisite variety and premium quality of handicrafts. Known for its fertile land in the southwest of India, contribute to its own genius and to the Indian artistic tradition. The Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala Limited, a Government of Kerala undertaking, was formed in 1968 for the preservation and promotion of tradition through a series of streamlined schemes to heartening results. The corporation has a chain of exclusive emporiums, styled "KAIRALI" all over India and handles bulk sales and export orders. Now the corporation has been exporting to various countries like Japan, France, USA, Switzerland, Holland, Arab countries, UK, Spain etc. The corporation is also involved in the promotion of wood crafts, metal crafts, fibre crafts, grass/ leaf crafts and shell crafts. In the wood craft it deals in the items like ebony, rose wood, sandal wood, teak wood and other forms of wood form. In metal crafts it includes bell metal, white metal, iron, brass and copper. And for fibre crafts it has banana fibre, coir, palm stem and a lot of products with other materials like horn, shell etc. These products are available in classes like figurines of gods and goddesses, figures of kathakali, animals, birds etc of different size and positions.
Contact Address Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd, TP.B.No 171, Thiruvananthapuram 695 001, Tel: 91-471-331358, 330625, 331559 Fax-91-471-331382 E mail: enquiry@keralahandicrafts.com
The Uttar Pradesh Khadi & Village Industries Board (UPKVIB)Functions to have rural industrialisation. The Uttar Pradesh Khadi & Village Industries Board (UPKVIB)- a State Government owned organisation, it functions to have rural industrialisation in the state of U.P. through development of Cottage and Village Industries. The Board is headquartered in Lucknow with 15 divisional offices, 70 District offices and 45 Retail sales units selling the products of its various artisans. A Chief Executive Officer heads UPKVIB, with assistance from an Addl. Chief Executive Officer and 3 Joint Chief Executive Officers. At government level, there is a separate department - Department of Khadi & Village Industries run by the Secretary, Khadi & Village Industries, heading it under the Minister. The Board offers training to artisans and is also involved in developing appropriate technology, products and processes. It also includes drafting of effective marketing strategies to market the output. Further, the Board identifies and selects potential entrepreneurs, provides them motivational and skill training, makes available financial resources on easy terms, guides entrepreneurs in successfully establishing their ventures and provides marketing linkages and export opportunities.
For Further Details Contact: UTTAR PRADESH KHADI & VILLAGE INDUSTRIES BOARD 8, Tilak Marg, Lucknow-226 001 UP (INDIA) Tel. : 91-522-208313, 208310 Fax : 91-522-208423 E-mail ceo@upkvib.com
West Bengal Handicrafts Development Corporation Aims at preservation of rich and elegant handicraft tradition. West Bengal Handicrafts Development Corporation (WBHDC) was set up to promote and preserve the rich crafts and arts prevailing in West Bengal. It procures handicrafts products directly from the artisans, handicraft units and handicrafts co-operative societies. The corporation organizes spot procurement camps in the districts for purchase of products from artisans by making cash payment. The corporation offers design support to the handicraft artisans under this programme, which is funded by the Government of India. The corporation offers training facilities to the handicraft artisans both at primary and advance level. Baruipur Experimental Workshop cum Research Institute is presently managed and run by the corporation. It also has two Craft Development Centres one at Puinam (Hooghly) and the other at Salt Lake, which offers all-round facilities under one roof for development of selected crafts. Further, the corporation runs a common facility centre on brass and bell metal at Nabadwip in Nadia district. The corporation organises Exhibition and Fairs within and outside of West Bengal in order to give marketing exposures to the handicraft artisans and their crafts. It has a Craft Museum at 'Karuangan' at Salt Lake City. The Museum has exquisite collections of ethnic and traditional Bengal handicrafts and handloom artefacts. The Corporation has developed an Artisan's Dormitory at Karuangan to offer facilities of stay in Calcutta for the Artisans. The Corporation offers various social security facilities to the handicrafts artisans like (a) group insurance coverage (b) old-age pension (c) construction of work sheds for the artisans etc.
Directorate of Cottage and Small Scale Industries, Govt. of West Bengal, New Secretariat Building, 9th Floor, 1 Kiran Shankar Roy Road Calcutta - 700001 Tel : 91-33-2489666 Fax : 91-33-2489496 E-mail : cssi@giascl01.vsnl.net.in
The Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts & Handloom Corporation Ltd.Reflecting glorious range of handicrafts to honour and cherish its affluent tradition. The legendary beauty of Himachal Pradesh and its people constitute the region's artistic consciousness. This is reflected in arts and crafts of the ebullient Himachalis who delight in creating a resplendent range of artifacts that are a spiritual oasis in the wilderness of modern life. Each unique piece is a fundamental preserve of an individual, a heartfelt expression. To honor, cherish and promote the handicrafts industry and to accord recognition to their glorious tradition of excellent craftsman - the Himachal Pradesh Government has formed a corporation: the Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts & Handloom Corporation Ltd in the year 1974. The primary objective of this corporation is the overall development of artisans and weavers. Besides, it also works for creating positive environment for artisans and prohibits any kind of exploitation. It also imparts training to them with the provision of raw material facility to them. The Corporation's Design Development Center is committed to evolving new designs, which are infused with the innate tradition and spirit of Himachal. To crown these efforts, the H.P. State Handicrafts & Handloom Corporation has announced State Awards to craftsmen and weavers for their contribution in the field of Handicrafts and Handlooms.
For Further Details Contact: Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts & Handloom Corp. Ltd. (An H.P. State Govt. Undertaking) Block-2 , SDA Commercial Complex, Kasumpti. Shimla - 171 009 (INDIA) Phone: +91 - 177 - 221557 Fax: +91 - 177 - 221275 Grams: Himcraft Shimla E-mail: himcraft@nde.vsnl.net.in Website: www.himcraft.nic.in