Transitional Trend In Handicraft Practices & Its Impact On The Income Of Artisans

Indian economy mostly depends on agriculture. Besides agriculture, rural handicrafts provide good employment opportunities to a large number of rural populations at their doorsteps and increase their income considerably. Crafts of Gujarat enjoys a significant position in the domestic as well as international markets. The land of Surendranagar district is also very prosperous with regards to the artistic nature of community living here. Weaving, Patola making, Stone carving, Embroidery-Bead work, Pottery, etc. are the distinct handicrafts of this region. But due to one or another reasons, these crafts seem disappearing with passage of time. The sustainability of these handicraft artisans is in question in today’s fast developing age of industrialization and technological bombarding. Millions of handicraft artisans today depend on indigenous modes of production using traditional skills and techniques to earn livelihood. The artisans will have to learn to survive by meeting the demand of the contemporary market without compromising the essence of handicrafts. Thus, here is an attempt to focus on various handicraft practices done by rural artisans at Surendranagar district and the transitional trend taking place there in. The researcher has also tried to study the impact of ‘adopting new technologies & innovations’ on the income of handicraft artisans. Key Words: Handicrafts, Rural Artisans, Transitional Trend, Innovative Practice, Entrepreneurship, Rural Development Policy