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The Priceless Riches of Indian Handicraft Industry
The handicraft industry stands at "100 billion worldwide and India has 1.2% of this market.
The handicraft industry stands at "100 billion worldwide and India has 1.2% of this market. This year the major buyers of Indian handicrafts were US, Canada, the European and the West Asian countries among which the United States rule largest import market for Indian handicrafts. The handicrafts industry in India is spread all over the country employing approximately over 5 million artisans and around 67,000 exporters tapping this market. The handicraft and handloom sector is a major source of rural employment and earns substantial foreign exchange. The Indian handicraft sector this year has shown an annual average growth rate of 8.5%. Handicrafts, over the last few years have transformed their utility from mere shelf decorative to daily useable category. It is thus the primary need of any seller to constantly update, develop & add to his product profile. As one says that variety is the spice of life, the handicraft market has really changed over the years and one cannot imagine even surviving in the market with the same old products. Major items of export include art like metalware, woodware, handprinted textiles and leather, wood and cane wares, embroidered and crocheted goods, shawls as artware, zari goods, laces, and fashion jewelry. Traditional textiles are as popular abroad as they are within the country. The major export items include hand-knotted carpets, art metalware, hand-printed textiles.
The enchanting metalware industry
Metal is part of the Indian traditions and availability of different metals and its vulnerable nature has made it the base for a variety of decorative techniques such as inlay, metal casting, carving, applique, etc. The scope of art metal is immense. Some it's speciality are the 'Urli', bell-metal vessel in Kerala, metal based lamps which are part of the Indian traditions and rituals, metalwork with coloured enameling and intricate engravings in niello in U.P. Delhi too is an important centre for art metalwork, metal engravings in on walking sticks, nutcrackers, cutlery, knives etc in kashmir. These all are exported as well as sold in the local markets. But the constant drawback of this industry is the change in consumer's demand in favour of stainless steel, plastic, ceramic goods and crockery, also getting loans from banks remains complicated. To address this problem, Grameen Bank and other commercial banks have initiated programmes to improve the difficulties faced by the manufacturers and exporters. Also some individual states have their own remedial measures and is getting some financial help. For now this sector needs attention and Indian government is trying it' best to boost this industry in the global market.
Fascinating Woodcraft Sector
Woodcraft industry in India is an export oriented industry and major part of its production is being exported from India. The products made of the wood locally available are limited to human and animal figures, fruit bowls, household items, boxes, dragon and other masks, flower vases and few other decorative items. Different types of wood are used in different places, for carvings, depending on the local availability, which includes sesame wood, rose wood, and sandalwood and walnut wood. Besides carvings, woodwork inlaid with ivory or metal, lacquered woodenwares and other artistic woodwares are produced in many states.
The woodcraft industry in India is scattered throughout the country with greater concentration in states like UP (Saharanpur), Jammu & Kashmir (Srinagar), Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu. These products have a great market in the foreign countries and are in great demand over there. The Indian government also has taken active part to boost this industry and Government's propaganda of the woodcraft has found a great market for Indian woodcrafts in the west.
Indian Aroma industry
These small little sticks have become very popularly in the market. Their fragrance is said to lure the world. The sticks come in variety of fragrances and are made from mixture natural ingredients like extract of rose and other flowers, sandalwood, other fruity fragrance, spicy fragrance etc. Incense is said to purify the atmosphere. It is used in many places of worship, religious functions, festive occasions, weddings etc for various purposes. Despite its wide usage and popularity, a significant part of the Indian incense industry is still cottage-oriented. Most of the sticks are handmade and are mostly carried out by Small Scale Industries. It serves as a mode of employment in the rural sector. If we have to look at incense stick or Agarbatti exports seriously, we have to understand international buyer's needs, what he requires and what not. The size of the incense stick industry in India is about Rs.1000 crores a year but it is a very price sensitive segment and hence competition is tough. Major competitor of India is Japan with ruling more than 50% of the Incense Industry. India has over 3800 production units and is said to generate approximately US " 300 million from domestic and export markets. Quality is the primary importance one needs to follow. Also packaging of this material is another crucial aspect one needs to concentrate on. Further the right kind of marketing approach can win you many promising customers thus flourishing the Indian incense market further at global level.
The count of Indian handicraft product remains infinite and the industry have withstood competition from machines over the years. Overall the Indian culture is rich in hand crafted goods but repetition is it's only enemy which cannot quench the need of this so fast changing market. The manufacturers and exporters have to be constantly be on their toes and come out with new innovative ideas that work in the export market. |
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