Dr. Akanksha Choudhary
Assistant Professor
IIT Jodhpur
India’s handicrafts are not merely economic activities, they embody centuries
of cultural knowledge, social identity, and community life. From intricate
embroidery and leather work to metal enameling and textile traditions, crafts
function as living repositories of heritage passed down through generations. In
the broader vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar India, preserving and
revitalizing traditional arts is central to building a self-reliant and inclusive
economy. The Indian handicrafts sector, valued at over US$ 4.2 billion in 2023,
has shown strong growth, with exports rising significantly over the past decade.
Notably, women constitute more than 64 per cent of India’s artisan workforce,
underscoring the sector’s importance for gender-inclusive development and household-level economic security
The Thar Desert of Rajasthan, one of the most arid yet densely populated deserts in the world, presents a
unique context where crafts are not only cultural expressions but also essential livelihood strategies. Given
the region’s harsh climate and limited agricultural opportunities, traditional occupations such as appliqué,
meenakari, leather jutti-making, tie-and-dye (bandhani), and horn and bone craft provide year-round income
to artisan households. Reflecting this dependence, nearly 60 per cent of Rajasthan’s registered artisans are
concentrated in the Thar region. However, despite a rich skill base, artisans face persistent challenges
including rising input costs, weak market linkages, limited access to credit, lack of digital skills, and
competition from low-cost machine-made imitations. These constraints have reduced earning potential and
weakened incentives for younger generations to continue traditional occupations, pushing many towards
alternative livelihoods.
Against this backdrop, research examines patterns of intergenerational skill transmission among artisan
families across five districts of the Thar region-Bikaner, Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, and Nagaur. Using a
mixed-methods research design, the study combines structured household surveys covering three generations
with qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and
case studies. The research explores why some families sustain craft traditions while others experience
discontinuity, with particular attention to the roles of education, technology, market conditions, and public
policy. A key focus is women’s contribution to preserving and transmitting skills, especially in home-based
and informal production systems.
Preliminary insights reveal a clear decline in craft continuation and skill transmission across generations,
particularly among men, while women show comparatively greater resilience in sustaining skills. Although a
majority of artisans report that current earnings meet basic household needs, many remain reluctant to
encourage the next generation to continue in crafts due to uncertain markets and limited growth prospects.
At the same time, a significant proportion of younger respondents express interest in preserving craft
traditions for cultural reasons, indicating latent potential that can be unlocked through better market access,
digital enablement, and institutional support. In this context, initiatives led by the Jodhpur City Knowledge
and Innovation Foundation (JCKIF), including digital platforms, phygital museums, design innovation
workshops, and market exposure, highlight how targeted interventions can bridge the gap between heritage
preservation and sustainable livelihoods. Together, the study positions traditional crafts not as relics of the
past, but as viable economic and cultural assets for the future, provided structural market constraints are
effectively addressed