WHAT:
My Area of research is Art & Design (Handloom & Handicrafts) along with professional experts panel from the Fashion & Film Industry.
Question: How can we Develop a Bridge between Indian Artisans & Fashion / Film Industry to work globally without intermediaries or with ethical intermediaries?
Subject Area: Handloom & Handicraft Industry, Fashion/ Film Industry.
Apart from the above areas, this project requires a strong interaction with the professionals from NGOs, Digital, Government, Law & Social work sectors.
Address Question: How can Awareness, Education & Technology help in building this bridge between Artisans & Professionals.
WHY:
While talking to people about handloom & fashion Industry clearly states that the Artisans are still facing the issues like corruption, inappropriate wages and labour exploitation, to the copying of designs. This Industry constitute a timeless facet of the rich cultural heritage of India, But the Artisans do not get enough recognition, wages and fame in return. Artisan labour is precarious (Scrase 2003), as is their daily lives and that of their families and communities.
Timothy J. Scrase (2003), Trade, Labour and Transformation of Community in Asia.
The handloom industry is one of the largest unorganized sectors of economic activity in India providing employment to ~43.31 lakh weavers from rural and semi-urban areas.
My understanding about the situation of Indian Artisans is that the globalization has helped them in evolving but there are the challenges like awareness, lack of education & knowledge of IPR laws & other government policies they are unaware about.
This research will help Artisans from poor & uneducated background to know their rights better along with the schemes & policies to empower themselves.
HOW:
This research project is broad and will be accomplished in various phases. The research method would be Qualitative analysis using Delphi survey technique.
This process would require working on a business model that can transfer the power of dealing work to the Artisans instead of wholesalers, retailers, agents, and brokers. This will require a proper financial planning, technology, training modules, educational strategies etc for raising awareness.
Steps like gathering data, secondary research, interviews, surveys (Delphi Technique), meetings with village panchayats, NGOs would help in putting together everything on place.
WHAT IF:
After achieving this mastery, I will be able to approach government & other philanthropic organizations for the implementation of this initiative at higher level.
A place where all the Artisans from different states / part of the Country would be able to register under this Bridge,
Positive implications & potential of execution of the benefits like seller registration, direct contact directory, Efficient / timely payments, Appropriate wages, tracking of the delivery of the designs, training modules set-up those will help in further empowering the Artisans. This bridge would be a one click solution to the professionals as well for reaching out to different Artisans / access different type of Arts from various regions across India.
References :
#1 BOOK : Trade, Labour and Transformation of Community in Asia (Edited by – Michael Gillan ,Bob Pokrant )
Author – Timothy J. Scrase
The globalization of production in the world economy has opened- up the markets of Asia to global competition and exchange. Artisans and craft workers in India.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9780230274105_5
#2 REPORT : To Improve the Cause of Action for Misrepresentation of Indian Arts and Crafts
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Indian Affairs (1993 )
Artists registration with IACB (The Indian Arts and Crafts Board ). It will authorize and establish a government trademark of genuineness.
https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Indian_Arts_and_Crafts/mvxNP8bph_gC?hl=en&gbpv=0
#3. https://www.eileenfisher.com/rural-artisans-in-india?country=IN¤cy=INR
#5.https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Indian_Arts_and_Crafts/mvxNP8bph_gC?hl=en&gbpv=0
#7. https://www.vervemagazine.in/fashion-and-beauty/international-brands-working-with-indian-artisans
VIDEOS :