Low capital investment
High ratio of value addition
High potential for export and foreign exchange earnings
Every state of India offers a different variety of handicrafts to meet the global demands. Some of the major centers of handicraft production in India are:
Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh: Brass articles
Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Wooden articles
Ferozabad, Uttar Pradesh: Glass items
Jaipur, Rajasthan: Jaipuri quilts, Bagru and Sanganer printed textiles
Jodhpur, Rajasthan: Wooden and wrought iron furniture
Kutch, Gujarat: Embroidered decorative items
Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh: Lace and lace goods
Each major hub of handicrafts utilizes a unique medium to express its originality. From textiles to wood, from ceramic and glass to metals and stones, India offers a plethora of options that have now formed a key industry at the global platform. A brief overview of the types of Indian handicrafts is as under:
Statues and idols: Intricate carvings of Gods and Goddesses in material like marble, brass, mud, lak, wooden and terracotta.
Ornaments: Available in a range of patterns, styles and compositions in different material like brass, copper, bronze, bell metal and many more
Hand printed textiles: Block, printing, screen printing, batik, bandhej, kalamkari and bandhani
Wooden decorative articles
Glass and ceramic products: For crockery and show pieces
With the growing demands of handicrafts in the world and changing consumer taste and trends, the Indian handicrafts industry is witnessing a major change. Due to the incorporation of changing designs and patterns, there has been a drastic change in the raw material, product development and production facilities. This has explored the unorganized as well as organized sectors of the Indian handicrafts industry and brought about an economic uplift in the country’s earnings.