Introduction

India being one of the most important suppliers of handicrafts and decorative in the world market, the industry in the country is mostly labor intensive and cottage based. The handicraft sector involves an important part of Indian economy and provides to over six million artisans in the country – including a large number of women and people belonging to the weaker sections of the society.

The definition of handicraft adopted by UNESCO-UNCTAD/WTO (ITC) at Manila in October 1997 is, “Artisanal products are those produced by artisans, either completely by hand or with the help of hand tools or even mechanical means, as long as the direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial component of the finished product. The special nature of artisanal products derives from their distinctive features, which can be utilitarian, aesthetic, creative, culturally attractive, functional, traditional, religiously & socially symbolic and significant.”

One of the major significance of the handicraft and decorative sector in Indian economy is that it includes low capital investment, high ratio of value addition, and high potential for export and foreign exchange earnings. The sector comprises of more than 67,000 exporters or export houses promoting regional art and craftsmanship in the domestic and global markets.

The craft sector in the country can be majorly categorized into two fragments – articles for everyday use and decorative items. The diversities of the handicrafts and decorative products in India include textiles, metals, wood, precious and semi-precious stones, ceramic and glass. The artisans manufacturing handicrafts in rural or urban India inherit special talents with skill, technique and traditional craftsmanship.

In India, handicraft and decorative industry is mostly export driven and the export of artisanal products from the country has increased 1.65 per cent year-on-year during April to November 2018 to $2.42 billion – which includes growth in the export of products Shawls as Artwares (77.50 per cent), Woodwares (23.57 per cent), and Miscellaneous Handicrafts (19.74 per cent). Indian handicrafts and decorative gets majorly exported to countries like the US, the UK, the UAE, Germany, France, Latin American countries (LAC), Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Australia.

To further help the Indian exporters of handicrafts and decorative to recover the input costs in the production of such products, the Indian government, under the Merchandise Export from India scheme (MEIS), has increased incentive rates to 7 per cent from 5 per cent for craft items; thereby boosting exports with competitive pricing.

The government has also formed an apex body - Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) – which operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles and is a self-sustaining body which finances all its promotional activities by itself.

Categories of handicraft and decorative in India

Medieval Swords & Armours – including products like medieval battle axe, ancient swords, wooden sword, kirpan, sword handle, damascus steel knives, etc.

Corporate and Business Gifts – including products such as congress flag, corporate t-shirt, promotional pen, promotional shopping bag,, promotional gifts, promotional cap, etc.

Photo frames and picture frames – which includes decorative photo frame, digital photo frame, crystal led frames, coconut shell photo frame, synthetic photo frame, customized photo frame, etc.

Items with religious significance – like marble Shiva statue, crystal tortoise, wooden hanuman statue, Gayatri statue, orgone pyramid, Hanuman statue, etc.

Statues and Sculptures – like sandalwood statues, brass elephant statue, angel sculpture, acrylic sculpture, fiber statue, brass horse, etc.

Abstract and contemporary paintings – including products like glass paintings, Krishna paintings, traditional paintings, Chinese paintings, phad paintings, wall art, etc.

Flower pots and vases – like carved flower pot, bamboo flower vase, hurricane vases, vases, indoor pots, ceramic flower pots, etc.

Gifts, crafts and artifacts – including holiday gift, felt craft, rangoli designs, handicraft accessories, customized chocolate gift box, ring boxes, etc.

Bone and shell handicrafts – including products like camel bone furniture, bone handicraft, seashell handicrafts, bone box, horn handles, bone crafts, etc.

Decorative lights, lamps and lamp shades – like stone lantern, philips wall lights, floor lamp, wall mount light bar lamp, high tech bollard, etc.

Ceramic and clay decorative – like blue pottery, ceramic rods, ceramic deburring media, ceramic saddles, terracotta bells, ceramic boxes, etc.

Artificial plants and foliage – like artificial vegetables, residential artificial grass, artificial grasses, dried rose, synthetic turf, black stone flower, etc.

Lantern, chandeliers and hanging lamps – including products like pendant light, aluminum chandelier, copper lantern, vintage lanterns, fancy lanterns, glass chandeliers, etc.

Clocks and watches – like decorative watches, gifts watches, fashion wrist watches, gift clock, lcd clock, citizen hand watch, etc.

Mirrors and glassware – like acrylic mirrors, ocean glassware, handmade mirror, fusing glass, stem glass, decorative glassware, etc.

Wall and door hangings – like iron wall hanging, iron wind chimes, terracotta wall hangings, christmas wall hangings, metal wall decoration, 3d wall art, etc.

Bamboo and wooden handicrafts – including products like wooden wine boxes, wooden pillar, teak wood temple, wooden incense holder, wooden dice box, wooden owl, etc.

Aqua culture, aquarium and supplies – which include glass aquariums, cataract protein skimmer, wooden fish aquarium, wild fish, aquarium stone, aquarium pumps, etc.

Christmas gifts and decorative – like Christmas home decorations, brass Christmas decorations, Christmas stars, glass Christmas tree, Christmas balls, Christmas tree lights, etc.

Awards and trophies – like wood plaque, silver trophy, silver shield, silver medal, custom medal, metal trophies, etc.

Party decorations and supplies – like plastic crown, party hat, holi color, animal mask, hanging decorations, snow spray, etc.

Garden and landscaping products – like wooden bird house, garden gongs, gardening fittings, iron bird feeder, antique garden statue, coconut shell bird house, etc.

Artificial and decorative candles – like votive candle, birthday cake candles, palm wax candles, sunflower wax, candle set, carnauba wax, etc.

Candle stands and candelabra – like ceramic candle holders, beaded candle holders, candlestick holder, candle lamp, wood votive candle holder, iron votive candle holder, etc.

Brass, copper and metal handicrafts – like brass planters, copper letters, brass telephones, brass singing bowl, brass hanging diya, epns mirror frames, etc.

Antique coins, stamps and collectibles – like antique bronze, antique collectible, antique sofa, antique charger plate, antique table bell, wooden gramophone, etc.

Flags and related accessories – like flag pins, corporate banners, flag stands, flag poles, printed flags, religious flags, etc.

Jute handicrafts and jute products – including jute mesh, jute webbing, jute sheets, twisted jute cord, jute canvas, jute garments, etc.

However, despite the gradual growth of handicrafts and decorative sector in India, the average earnings of the craftsmen in the country are considerably low, as compared to other sectors; thereby driving the younger generation to take up different sources of income, leaving major craftsmen in the industry of the average age of 50 years.