IMPORTANCE OF LEATHER HANDICRAFT GOODS OF
INDIA
“Craft” usually means a pastime or a profession that requires particular knowledge of skilled work. In a historical sense, particularly as pertinent to the
Middle Ages and earlier, the term is usually applied to people
occupied in small-scale production of goods, or their maintenance, for example by tinkers.
The traditional terms craftsman and craftswoman are nowadays often replaced by artisan due to involvement of a substantial amount of art techniques in
developing the products
A handicraft precisely communicated as “Artisanal Handicraft or Handmade”, is making useful and decorative objects completely by
hand or by using only simple tools. It consist of a wide range of creative and design activities
that are related to making things with one's hands and skill, including work
with moldable and rigid materials such as
textiles, leather, wood, clay, metal, Bone, horn, glass, stone, paper,
plant fibers, etc. Usually the term is applied to traditional techniques of
creating items (whether for personal use or as products) that are both
practical and aesthetic.
The use of leather had begun for the first
time when man hunted wild animals for his food. He realized the usage of
leather for the purpose of clothing and others, once his food requirements
fulfilled .It got further boost when he settled down and domesticated cattle.
Hide from cattle, deer was used to make clothes and footwear. In India the tradition of
leather handicraft goes is running from last Indus valley civilization. There
are several references in ancient texts about the use of animal skin. The
tradition of leather crafts in India is over all proved by ancient sages. They
use to sit on deerskin for having deep meditation and other works. Leather
handicrafts manufacturers is not only used in making clothes and footwear but
also in making smaller products such as caps, bags, purses, saddles, armor, lamp
shades, box, decorative, animals etc. In the rural areas of India, hide from cattle
and camel is locally cured and after tanning, it is used to make different
items.
In this modern era, leather
handicrafts in India have become a big industry. It
offers not only for local needs but also the off shore market. There are
various utilitarian items like shoes, jackets, lampshades, pouches, bags,
belts, wallets, stuffed toys etc made from leather and they are widely exported
from India in large heavy quantity. Different regions in India are famous for
their unique style and pattern of leather products.
Rajasthan is known for its decorated leather items, beautiful
lamp and lampshades. Bikaner and Jaisalmer produce decorative saddles for
horses and camels. Bikaner is also known for Kopi, a particular type of leather
bottle made from camel hide. Jodhpur is known for its decorated leather items,
small leather accessories. “Mojdis”
or thick footwear is made out of locally tanned leather.
Apart from this, West Bengal which is also well known for its
decorated leather handicrafts or products. Various types of
handbags, pouches, bags etc are made here. These items are usually decorated
with traditional motifs and geometric patterns or pidis. Moreover, Kashmir is also
famous for its ornamental leather products. Hoshiarpur in Punjab is
known for use of leather pieces in appliqué work.
Madhya Pradesh is famous for its embroidered red leather
handicrafts. Embroidery is done with silk and gold. Gwalior and
Bilaspur are known for production of shoes, jutties, bags, mushk (traditional
leather bag in which water is carried). While Indore and Dewas are known for
making shoes & leather garments.
Kohlapur in Maharashtra is world famous for
its kohlapuri chappals (traditional Indian footwear), these are popular because
of their softness and durability.
Andhra
Pradesh, there all such toys and puppets are available which are made of
leather.
Karnataka has been noted for leather products
painted with epic and mythological scenes, done in gold and silver.
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is the
apex government body and operates under the administrative control of the
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. EPCH has the distinction of being
considered a ‘model council’, a self-sustaining body that self-finances all its
promotional. The Directorate of Handicraft (DCH) in India has archived
a list of designers who carries out Govt. sponsored projects with the help of
local artisans followed by marketing through domestic and international trade
fairs.
The Indian handicraft industry is one of the largest
employment generators and accounts for a significant share in the country’s
exports. The states and regional clusters that contribute significantly to
handicrafts export. The Indian handicrafts industry is fragmented, with more
than 7 million regional artisans and more than 67,000 exporters/export houses
promoting regional art and craftsmanship in the domestic and global. In India
the production of leather crafted products are done on both large and small
scale. Because of low capital investment people can start their business on
small scale. Through this flexibility the demand and supply can be managed.
Though
Indian Handicraft industry is considered a cottage industry, but it has evolved
as one of the major revenue generator over the years. There has been consistent
growth of 15% over few years and the industry has evolved as one of the major
contributor for export and foreign revenue generation.
There
is huge demand for the Indian Handicraft products in both national and
international market. To match the demand and supply with quality, there is
need to have greater technological support and innovativeness with the uniqueness
in industry.
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By: Sweta Yadav- Faculty FDDI
