Indian Handicraft
Handicrafts is an important sector in our economy and society, various aspects of handicrafts, such as, sociological, economic, technical, cultural, artistic and aesthetic aspects have been studied by a number of scholars. Indian handicrafts reached the almost height of perfection and glory during the Mughal period. But, with arrival of British, the growth of the factory system of mass production was the direct, immediate and most important cause for the decline of Indian handicrafts. Post-independence role and importance of handicrafts in the economic, social and political scene were strongly felt and the industry started to revive again.
Upadhyay (1973) in the book “Economics of handicraft industry” feels that without design development, technology advancement and quality improvement, we cannot think of healthy growth of such industry. It has been agreed in responsible quarters that even in the field of handicrafts a certain amount of mechanization ought to be introduced in order to obtain the two-fold objective of better finish and rationalization.
Rao, (1978) had made several studies on rural industries especially in Andhra Pradesh. He in his book “Rural industrialization in India” observes that handicraft is one among a few cottage industries, which have a capacity to grow, if appropriate technology is used. He endorses the application of “intermediate technology” of E.F. Schumachar in this context. This great economist was always an exponent of the principle “Small is beautiful”.
Ahmed, (1980) in his book entitled “Problem and Management of Small Scale and Cottage Industries” expresses that the satisfactory performance in marketing of handicrafts could be possible due to the special interest taken by central as well as state governments to boost up the export of handicraft articles.