IMPORTANCE OF LEATHER HANDICRAFT GOODS OF INDIA

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.

-       By: Sweta Yadav- Faculty FDDI