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Writer's pictureAkanksha Shukla

Preserving India's unexplored Craft Forms: How “Artisans of the Margin” is Leading the Way


India's handicraft tradition is a vast and diverse treasure, yet many of its unique craft forms remain largely unexplored and underappreciated.


While the global handicraft market is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 2,394.32 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 10.11%, the Indian handicrafts sector, struggles to keep pace.


  • 70% of rural artisans in India earn less than ₹5,000 per month, struggling to make their ends meet.

  • 70-80% of traditional handicrafts are confined to local or regional markets, never seeing the national or international spotlight they deserve.

  • 68% of artisans remain unregistered, missing out on essential government support or market access.

  • 28.9% is the migration rate from rural to urban areas, as artisans leave their traditional crafts behind in search of better employment.


In this backdrop, The Indian handicrafts sector faces a crucial question:


"Are we doing enough to preserve and promote our lesser-known crafts, or are we letting them fade into obscurity?"


TABLE OF CONTENT


The Exploration Gap in Indian Handicrafts

India boasts thousands of different craft forms, but the export market is overwhelmingly dominated by just a few.

Crafts like textiles, pottery, and metalwork account for almost 70% of handicraft exports, leaving behind a multitude of regional and tribal crafts that remain underrepresented.

Traditional arts practiced by indigenous and rural women, particularly those rooted in local customs and rituals, face the greatest risk of disappearing. These crafts, tied to the cultural identities of the communities that practice them, often serve utilitarian or ceremonial purposes, but without proper market access, their future is precarious.

While there is growing global demand for sustainable, authentic artisanal products, these lesser-known crafts rarely reach international markets. As interest in eco-conscious and ethical production rises, the unexplored potential of these crafts offers an immense opportunity for growth—if we act quickly to save them.


Enter “Artisans of the Margin”

At Meraas Heritage Foundation, our project “Artisans of the Margin” seeks to bridge this gap. We focus on empowering tribal and indigenous communities, as well as rural women, whose craft traditions have been sidelined due to geographical isolation and cultural limitations.


This year, our project is centered on the women artisans of the Bathudi Tribe in Odisha, who practice the centuries-old craft of Sabai grass weaving.

These artisans, who skillfully create eco-friendly products from locally sourced Sabai grass, struggle to earn a living, with most earning less than ₹5,000 per month. Despite their dedication, they lack access to larger markets that could recognize and reward their efforts. Without intervention, their craft is at risk of fading into extinction, a loss not only for their community but for India's cultural heritage as a whole.




Our Vision for “Artisans of the Margin”

Through this project, Meraas Heritage Foundation aims to:

  1. Preserve Traditional Crafts: By supporting the artisans of Sabai grass weaving, we are revitalizing a craft that is in danger of disappearing. Our focus is on helping artisans innovate while maintaining the cultural integrity of their craft.

  2. Empower Women: Economic empowerment is at the heart of this project. By connecting artisans with national and international markets and diversifying their revenue streams, we aim to significantly improve their financial independence and well-being.

  3. Promote Sustainability: Sabai grass products are not only beautiful but eco-friendly. As global demand for sustainable products grows, we are working to integrate these crafts into the modern consumer market, ensuring they remain relevant.


The Road Ahead: A Call to Action

Sabita, a mother of three from the Bathudi Tribe, represents the resilience of these artisans. Through Mission Shakti, a government initiative, Sabita and her self-help group received technical and marketing assistance that helped them overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Yet, hundreds of other women like Sabita are still waiting for their chance to access the same support.


“Artisans of the Margin” is about much more than preserving a craft—it's about ensuring that women like Sabita are seen, valued, and celebrated. It is about creating a future where their cultural heritage not only survives but thrives in a world that increasingly values sustainability and ethical production.


As global demand for artisanal, eco-friendly products grows, these marginalized artisans stand on the threshold of opportunity. By providing market access, innovation, and training, we can help them reclaim their place as leaders of their craft, ensuring their traditions continue to flourish.




How You Can Help: Join Us in Uplifting These Artisans

The Artisans of the Margin project is not just about preserving the art of Sabai grass weaving—it is about preserving the lives, stories, and heritage of women who have been invisible for too long.


We invite corporate partners, philanthropists, and supporters of heritage to join us in this important journey. Your involvement will not only help save an ancient craft but will uplift hundreds of women and their families.


We envision a world where marginalized women artisans from the most remote corners of India are recognized, celebrated, and empowered. A world where their cultural heritage is not only preserved but appreciated globally.

"Together, we can turn these fading traditions into thriving enterprises."


Meraas Heritage Foundation is dedicated to collaboration, and we aspire to partner with individuals and organizations that share our passion for authentic art and craft. Whether you are an artist, an artisan, or simply someone who values traditional craftsmanship, we invite you to join us. Reach out if you wish to contribute to our boutique tours, share your knowledge, or simply become part of the story of how India’s artisans rise.


"When we uplift these women, we uplift entire communities, ensuring that their crafts—and their stories—endure for generations to come."

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Meraas 'मिरास' Heritage Foundation is a Non Profit Organization registered in India formed with an aim to Preserve, Promote & Innovate Heritage crafts.

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Contact Us:

Meraas Heritage Foundation

Unit No. 40 

Shanti Complex, Neha Nagar

Jabalpur Road, Makronia

Sagar (M.P) 482004

                contact@craftiquehub.org

     +971 7477252767

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