Proposed collaboration centre for trading of arts and craft, in Kutch-Hujrat

Abstract

Culturally Kutch is very rich, it has different types of handicrafts. Majority of the villages are dedicated to one single craft. After 2001 earthquake, art and craft of Kutch has changed a lot. It has started moving in positive direction. Artisans are taking it up as their responsibility to enhance and widespread their skills. Apart from practising art and craft just for their livelihood, artisans are taking interest to take the art and craft of Kutch to another level. As artisans themselves are working for the betterment of their community, because of this the demand of art and craft has increased. Lot of NGO has come up for the promotion of art and craft in Kutch. As after earthquake certain art and craft has moved to a positive side, others have moved to the point of extinction. There are various factors because of which they have reach the point of extinction. Such as change in landscape, lack of skill craftsmen’s, decrease in the market demand, lack of advertisement etc. To increase and to spread the art and craft of kutch it is important to bring in certain changes in the whole process of designing. Artisans have their own design type and process, whereas designers have different way to approach a design, so to penetrate urban market, artisans need to create designs which are in demand, hence collaboration of artisans with designers is important. Art and craft of Kutch is so intricately made, that they can get recognition on global level. Skilled craftsmen are required to increase the production of the handicrafts, As the youth is not interested in taking this art and craft as their profession. Use of technology, to showcase their art and craft is still untouched. With the use of technology, artisans will learn to showcase their work on online market. There are many online markets, which are giving free platform to artisans to present their art forms. To increase revenue of the region, and to bring artisans into picture, it is important for them to understand the use of technology and to work upon it. Even after all the initiatives taken up by different foundations, artisans on personal level don’t want their future generations to practice these art and craft, as they feel that their art and craft is not enough valued by the people.