CRAFTS AND

CRAFTSMAN

TENZIN DOKAR, 1100100139

 URBAN HAAT
EVALUATING THE FACTORS IN URBAN AREA FOR SUSTAINABLE
LIVELIHOOD OF CRAFTSMEN IN TRADITIONAL VILLAGE HAAT
 INTRODUCTION
India's myriad crafts traditions and living crafts skills
has been vehicle of its cultural identity.
It has one of the most ancient and diverse traditions of
handmade products, and its handicraft industry has
been an important cultural, social and economic asset.
The craftsmen are the “backbone of the non-farm rural
economy”.
 AIM
Improving the economic status of rural craftsmen,
thereby promoting the survival of indigenous
traditional crafts through training, production and
marketing in urban area.
 OBJECTIVE
 To examine the constraints and opportunities in the handicraft sector.
 To identify the factors and locations of traditional haats in an urban context
affecting sustainable livelihood of the rural craftsmen.
 Importance of the urban haat and linkages for sustaining craft based livelihoods.
 URBAN HAAT
 RESEARCH QUESTION
 Why is the need to study and promote about the traditional
arts and culture of India?
 The factors responsible for the deterioration of exchange of
crafts of rural craftsmen?
 How the capital city location of traditional haat affects the
craft communities?

Economic opportunities:
• Employment and income;
• Social benefits;
• Migration;
• Economic growth;
The global market for handicrafts is USD400 billion, of which India's
share is below 2% representing a tremendous growth opportunity.

Environmental benefits:
• Low energy requirement ;
• Low carbon footprints.
 URBAN HAAT
The factors responsible for deteriorating the exchange of arts and
crafts are:
• Lack of adequate infrastructure and marketing facilities;
• Presence of middlemen/agencies between the craftsmen and the consumers;
• Absolute dearth of communication skills forced these gifted artisans to turn
nomadic and shift to alternative livelihood opportunities;
• Lack of design inputs; no interaction between craftsmen
and consumer
• Lack of exposure and promotion to the urban market
• The presence of multiple government bodies have resulted
in a lack of unified policy for the craft sector;
• In the case of temporary bazaars, due to ever- spiralling
venue costs and rentals makes it costlier for the craftsmen
 METHODOLOGY
The study has concentrated on two urban haats, both located in capital
cities
BHOPAL HAAT

SWABHUMI PLAZA
 Factors Bhopal haat Swabhumi
Location Located in capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Located in capital city of West
(2.5 acres) Bengal. (6 acres)
Site Prime urban location, beside one of the biggest The site is located on the only natura
mall of Bhopal. Surrounding space enhances hillock of Kolkata. Undulating
the location of haat and is a pull factor for the landscape, lush greenery etc. adds
urban consumer. on value to the site.

Function It is in operation only for 7-10 days in a month

It is in operation all year round and
hence, restricting a steady growth of income to
so it provides a stable income to the
the craftsmen. craftsmen.
Topography Slightly slope, almost flat land. Natural hillock, adds on the
ambience to the site.
Accessibility Easy to access as it is almost a flat land. Difficult for old age and
handicapped persons, so
Escalators and ramps required.
Socio-economic The socio-economic condition of rural artisans Whereas Kolkata city has long been
condition are not improved and not given much priority as known for its literary, artistic and
the city’s existing is for its scenic beauty, revolutionary heritage. The socio-
historicity and modern urban planning rather economic condition of artisans is
than its cultural heritage. better as the people are aware of its
rich heritage.
Marketing It is not fully functional and so lacking of basic Lacking of basic amenities like
strategy amenities to the craftsmen marked the entry of accommodation etc. within the site
private market players. makes it difficult for the craftsmen.
Transportation charges etc.
Built form The built form reflects the local construction Built form bears architectural
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CONCLUSION:
 Not just crafts pieces and skill but also the space and location plays an
important role in enhancing the authentic handicrafts of our community.
 The Urban Haat should be designed keeping in mind the ethnic and
cultural heritage of the area using architecture to create the ambience
matching the natural rural Haat at the same time it should meet the
contemporary needs.
 The Urban Haat should consist of education, training, library,
accommodation etc. facilities within the haat. Establishing such centres to
impart training, providing market intelligence and establishing linkages.
 Locating the traditional haat at prime urban location where where culture,
tourism, transition and craft creation flourish together through which both
craftsmen and urban consumer are benefited. This contributes to
preservation of indigenous handicrafts communities of India.