From being a marginalised handicraft market, India has grown to become one of the top luxury handicrafts destinations in the world. Today, the Indian handicrafts industry plays a key role in the decentralised economy of the country and offers employment to millions of artisans spread across the length and breadth of the nation. The handicraft industry plays a key role in the economic upliftment of the weaker sections of society, especially women. The Indian handicraft industry is estimated to be worth thousands of crores of rupees.
In this article, we take a look at the evolution of the handicrafts industry in India, the past, present and the future.
Snapshot of Key Facts about the Indian Handicrafts Market
- The rich cultural diversity of the country provides India with a unique opportunity to create diverse handicraft products.
- The handicraft market of India has a huge array of diverse products that reflect the unique culture and heritage of people from different parts of the country.
- As per the National Census of Handicrafts, the handicrafts industry is one of the biggest decentralised sectors in India.
- According to the recent census conducted by the NCAER (National Council of Applied Economic Research), the value of handicrafts in the Indian market amounts to a whopping Rs. 26,213 crores.
- The handicraft industry provides employment to over 6 million artisans, especially the economically weaker sections of society and women.
- India’s contribution to the global handicrafts market is 1.2% and the share of handicrafts in the Indian export industry is 1.51%.
Popular Handicraft Items in India
| Products | ||
|---|---|---|
Handwoven Carpets | Stone Inlaid Furniture | Inlay Panels |
Luxury Pillows | Screen Partitions | Wall Art |
Wall Decoration | Metalware | Woodwork |
Hand Printed Textiles | Embroidered Shawls | Bamboo Products |
Zari Goods | Paintings and Earthenware | Jute Products |
Handmade Planters | Imitation Jewellery | Bronze Art |
Marble Sculptures | Leather Products | Paintings |
The Evolution of the Handicraft Market in India
In the early 16th century, it was during the reign of the Mughals that the legendary Persian art of carpet of weaving, reached India. The Mughal Emperor’s grandfather berated the ruler for the lack of luxury carpets in their new kingdom. To assuage his grandfather, the emperor brought skilled artisans from Persia to teach the craft of carpet weaving to local artisans.
Little did he know that, he was opening the floodgates to a thriving handicraft industry in the Indian subcontinent. Today, the Indian handicraft industry is renowned all over the world for its myriad products and unique items.
India exports handicrafts to over 100+ countries across the world, and the Indian carpet weaving industry alone provides employment to over two million skilled artisans and workers. With a rich history and a glorious legacy, why is the Indian handicraft industry still not recognised all over the world?
Very often, the word “handicraft” conjures up images of dusty shops selling overpriced wares to unknowing tourists. But the Indian handicraft industry has undergone a transformation thanks to digital selling and online shops.
- Today it’s possible to purchase authentic Indian handicrafts online from anywhere across the globe. Sellers like Decor Luxury Handicrafts Arts specialise in a variety of original Indian handicrafts sourced from skilled artisans across the world.
- Available at affordable prices and contemporary aesthetics, online sellers make it easy to source authentic handicrafts, helping the industry as well as the livelihood of skilled artisans.
- Indian handicrafts have undergone a major transformation and now cater to a global design sensibility and modern aesthetics.
The Future: What’s in store?
The Indian handicraft industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Market trends predict that the handicraft industry will be worth over Rs. 24,000 crores by FY 2021 – 22.
If you’re a customer looking for the most authentic and original handicrafts in India, reach out to Decor Luxury Handicrafts Arts. We supply a huge array of original handicrafts products sourced from the best artisans in the country. Download our product catalogue for design inspiration and to find the best handicraft that matches your design aesthetics.
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