The land of India is bestowed withcrafts, so many that you can keep counting. India has been endowed with a giftthat is unique, and yet in abundance. A judicious and intelligent use anddevelopment of these crafts can be an inexhaustible benefit that become alifeline for a nation like ours, feels Manish Saksena

Every state, and within it everylittle village, in India has its own creative interpretation of its indigenousresources-leading to the creation of a piece of craft that is technically notreplaceable or replicable, and is representative of that region.

The gamut is across clothing,jewellery, decor and even daily use objects that pretty much define and, at thesame time, are derived from the region's lifestyle patterns.

The quality of the water in therivers of Gujarat lends the vivid colours to its bandhini craft, and the beautyof these very colours adorn the women and men alike to effectively offset thearid desert surroundings. A fine example of a perfect balance and a perfectharmony among nature, its resources and its consumers.

Thecontext of the times

India is and has been on a road tomodernisation and growth. It is bound to go global for it to be a successfuland an influential economy. But, where and how does that objective find a placefor its crafts, and these micro self-sustainable multi-economies that exist inits villages? How do we globalise them, and yet not take away theirself-sufficiency? How do we make them walk the path of modernisation, and yetnot uproot them? These are tough questions, which if answered well andstrategised through, can help us develop a unique and successful economy thatno other nation can replicate, but only envy.

There are simple efforts, and thenthere are effective, intelligent efforts that have been done in the past torestore, revive and sustain our crafts.

Let us look at some of the keyfactors that are indisputable, and require a focused thought in order tomaintain this very tender balance.

It is imperative that thecraftspeople get their due and move along with the nation and its growth curve.Craftspeople by their very nature are passionate and dedicated to their craft.They are taught to worship their craft, and they look at it as theirlivelihood. However, there has been an exodus of sorts in many regions as theyhave felt unrewarded and frustrated. This situation is a prime concern.

There were times when thereexisted patrons of arts and artists. They were the providers for skills toflourish. Does this role of the patron in a democracy lie with the government?This is a question never answered, never understood, but implemented with somehalf-hearted attempts. This may not be a fair assessment, but yet in allfairness the outcome has not been standard. It is not that the privileged todayvalue art any less.

Is it just that their money today has more uses, more avenues, and more efficient productivity? Is it that they are not sure if their investment in a craftsperson can be judicious and enriching enough? Is it that the loyalty and co-existence of craftspeople and the patron in the new dynamics is less prioritised? Is it more about the branding and the brand value that the patron seeks versus the skill itself?

These are all possibilities, but what is clear is that somewhere we have lost this beautiful relationship between the art and its patrons. More so, it is a vacuum when it comes to defining a patron. Is the government just inheriting this practice, or truly believes in it to partner with them. A consolidated policy by the government and a sustainable path for individual patrons is the need of the hour.

The question of relevance

The exodus from villages to cities is nothing new. The unskilled, the farmers who lost their lands, were the obvious victims. However, the exodus of artists and skilled creators can be and must be controlled. For, their resource is in their own hands and in their control. What it requires is a basic healthy infrastructure and life conditions that compel them to stay on and earn a respectable livelihood without looking at avenues beyond it.

Education is a must, but does that necessarily mean that it has to lead to a job, and not be your own master at what you can create? Why should education be seen as a path to a lowly job in a big city? Why is it not about entrepreneurship and market-savviness to grow and expand your craft? One formula and one technique do not apply to all. Does a cookie-cut approach to education in a rural set-up have its own demerits? Again, debatable questions, but very clearly examples of unorganised modernisation that has upset the socio-economic equilibrium somewhere.

Lastly and surely, there is this entire contemporisation drive. Designers and modernists have misunderstood and misled the craftspeople in many instances. Under the garb of making them more relevant for changing trends and tastes for a global customer, they have distorted and diluted the craft to an extent that is has lost its indigenous quality.

Is it about modernising it, or is it about enabling it and incorporating it in the new idiom? Is it not about sustaining it, yet making it appeal to a new taste, and not losing its uniqueness? A craft can only deserve its price and acceptance if it is authentic. If it is made generic and hence replaceable and replicable bywatering down its inherent quality, it is bound to lose its sheen or in the modern jargon its USP.

The textile policy modifications and the ongoing efforts through the 'Make in India' initiative are right steps in the right direction. A few specifics that could really enable faster and concentrated results are:

         Focus on assisting weavers with design and marketing efforts by collaborating with designers and design institutes. A word of caution here is on ensuring that the product while not losing its value, does not become elitist and of higher value. For, the true strength of its revival is its scale and popularity as well.

         Improved wages for weavers is the most necessary enforcement. Retention and encouragement has the most direct relationship with this aspect.

         Identification of the right skill set to invest in can be a critical input. Many years of neglect and unfocussed work have led to a lot of inferior versions of crafts. Weeding and harvesting right is key.

         Marketing reach and updating the cooperative society for direct access and visibility can never be disputed. Middlemen and so-called propagators of art can really escalate and distort a craft beyond repair.

         Synergy of crafts with tourism is a welcome step but the haat/mela root might not be the only way. This route, too often repeated, has led to a degenerated version of craft representation.

         Handloom mega cluster schemes are needed, but ensuring only authentic use of raw material and techniques in these clusters will be a challenge that must not be compromised. A large scale uninhibited development can lead to a catastrophe.

 

A tight rope to walk, but as long as the rope is strong and well rooted, it will be a great walk ahead.