Long before the era of industrialization, India's rural villages thrived in a delicate balance, achieving economic self-sufficiency through a harmonious blend of supply and demand. Agriculture and traditional cottage-based activities, such as handcrafting textiles, pottery, woodcarving, and metalworking, provided supplementary income to a significant portion of the population, fostering a rich heritage of artisanal skills.
However, the advent of mass production in industries brought with it cheaper and faster production methods, leading to the decline of artisanal activities. This shift eroded the market for handcrafted goods, replacing them with uniform and monotonous industrial products, thereby promoting a consumeristic lifestyle that prioritized quantity over quality.
Despite this global trend, there has been a growing movement to embrace the value of slow, handcrafted production worldwide. Unfortunately, much of the valuable knowledge and skills required for traditional artisanal practices have been lost. Nevertheless, in India, the tradition of handcrafting has persisted, mainly due to its historical association with the Indian freedom struggle and limited alternative employment opportunities. However, the number of artisans is dwindling, and without timely intervention, this precious cultural legacy may vanish entirely within the next couple of decades.
The decline in the number of weavers, as recorded in the handloom censuses, is concerning. From 67 lakh weavers (Including artisans in pre & post loom work) in 1988, the numbers dropped to 65 lakh weavers in 1995, 43 lakh weavers in 2010, and further to 35 lakh weavers in the fourth handloom census in 2020. A significant proportion of the weaver population hails from the northeastern states of India, and they constitute about 50% of the total handloom weavers in the country. Remarkably, over 70% of those employed in handloom are women. Despite the challenges, India still holds a dominant position in the global handloom market, accounting for over 80% of the world's handloom products and contributing over 10% to India's total textile production.
Recognizing the paramount importance of preserving craft traditions and promoting sustainability, the Kala Swaraj Foundation takes an active stance. As a registered non-profit under Section 8 of The Companies Act, the organization strives to bridge the gap between buyers and producers, playing a vital role in the resurgence of handcrafted goods. By empowering artisans out of poverty and marginalization, the foundation works towards safeguarding these age-old skills and knowledge. This endeavor aligns perfectly with the growing global interest in ethical and sustainable products. India, with its youthful and open population eager to engage in fair trade, emerges as an appealing partner in building a better and more equitable future for all.