Transition period of handloom and handicrafts

The traditional skills and techniques involved in Handloom and Handicrafts production are passed down through generations. This sector in Nagaland is one of the oldest as well as the most significant and important sectors of the region. Nagaland is a state situated in the northeast region of India, a land inhabited by 16 major tribes along with other sub-tribes. 70% of population depends upon agriculture. Handloom and Handicrafts has emerged as the traditional cottage industry with self-sustainable rural economy and raw materials in abundance. The art of weaving and crafting differs for different tribes. The artisans are an important section of our society. Crafts like the beautiful Mithila paintings, Roghan paintings of Rajasthan, Parsi and Toda embroidery, puppetry and handicrafts of Assam and Nagaland, and many more are at risk. Traditional art is dying out slowly, as the young generation lack patience and hard work to carry the craft forward. The practitioner of these crafts is now in the fear that this may be the last surviving generation. Also they are paid much lesser than they actually should for their hard work and skills.
There are researchers which reveals that ‘if the original quality of the products is insured for GI registered products like pochampallyikat then 65% of the consumers have expressed their willingness to pay more. The expression on consumers’ readiness to pay for the originality and unique equality is an indication that the product may bring in a higher premium price in future leading to better income and employment to the craftsman. Various studies are done to investigate the consumer awareness and satisfaction with the craft and textile sector which reveals that strong awareness campaigns are needed. There is a downfall in the craft and handloom sector with the evolution of the power loom. It is facing a huge competition from power loom and miller-made sector. Apart from that lacking infrastructure, below-par marketing support and a weakening distribution network has exhausted an already flimsy supply chain system. Also, consumers are not completely or perfectly aware of the handloom industry. In many case, consumers do not even know the industry. Hence, a first step of bringing in a huge awareness needs to be performed among the public, followed by the design step for an efficient penetrations in the defined market sector. The handloom and handicrafts sector requires providing more awareness amongst the consumers and easily availability of original product to the consumer directly from the artisans and craftsmen.
There is a necessity to provide recognition to these skilful artisans and craftsman so that the art remains alive and gets appreciated. People are ready to spend more money if the original products is available to them but the involvement of the middleman and production of imitation are making it difficult for the consumers to differentiate between the original and the imitated product. Revival of almost all the traditional crafts as well as textile is getting being done by various designers but still, the handloom and handicrafts sector is unorganised and the craftsmanship is dying. The crafts and handloom sector are facing troubles due to the prevalence of fakes which was decimating the original which need to be catered by providing a platform to these artisans where they are in direct contact with the customers and customers could easily trace the origin, craftsmanship, the process involved in making etc., which can help the artisans making them earn better for their skills. It is evident that the consumers are preferring and looking for handicrafts and traditional textiles on e-commerce sites for buying, but at the same time awareness and the traceability of the originally need to be there.
The practice of Handloom and Handicrafts since time immemorial has now reached its peak that it is a platform for employing even the young youths through different skills. The vibrant traditional practice of handloom and handicrafts is now a stable job for many people as it is also the practice of sustainability in the fast growing society.
Luthoi & Siponglemla
B.A 3rd Semester, Department of Economics, Immanuel College