One of the most ancient practices in the world is handicrafting. The Indus Valley Civilization, renowned as one of the oldest civilizations, produced numerous handicrafts, many of which originated in India. During the middle ages, the Indian handicrafts sector flourished and continued to grow until the British arrived. The entry of British and other colonial powers posed significant challenges for the handicrafts industry, making it difficult to compete on a global scale. Handicrafts depended entirely on a person's skillful hands, so creating each piece required substantial time and effort, resulting in a higher selling price. India offers many remarkable things, but its handicrafts particularly shine. These artistic creations are not only visually stunning, but they also reflect the skill, creativity, and dedication of Indian artisans. Furthermore, the impact of Indian handicrafts extends well beyond the nation's borders.

Role of Handicraft in Empowering Community

Handmade crafts from India play a significant role in enhancing the financial stability of communities. Many of these traditional art forms have strong connections to rural areas, where employment opportunities may be limited. People from around the globe contribute to the sustainable development of these communities by purchasing these handmade items. This support, in turn, helps preserve these artistic traditions for future generations. The revenue generated from the sale of handicrafts benefits not just the artisans and their families but often supports the entire town or community as well. A key impact of the global appreciation for Indian arts is the positive contribution it makes to the economy.

Global Recognition

Indian handicrafts enjoy worldwide recognition, which has resulted in significant cultural exchange. Artisans from India frequently collaborate with international designers and groups to create unique fusion items that merge traditional Indian methods with contemporary styles. This blend of cultures not only inspires fresh ideas for Indian crafts but also showcases the beauty of Indian art to a global audience. There is a growing number of exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events globally that highlight Indian handicrafts. At these gatherings, craftsmen have the opportunity to display their talents, share stories, and discuss their traditions. They play a crucial role in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indian culture.

Environment & Sustainability

Indian handicrafts hold a significant advantage in an era where consumers value sustainability and ecological impact. Many of these crafts are genuinely sustainable since they utilize natural materials and traditional techniques that minimally affect the environment. For instance, hand-woven fabrics often incorporate organic dyes and natural fibers, which are environmentally friendly. By purchasing Indian handicrafts, individuals can make earth-conscious choices while also supporting artisans’ livelihoods. This combination of benefits is a key reason for the global appeal of these crafts.

Brands Promoting Traditional art and Handcraft

Craftezy

Craftezy is a prominent fully-managed B2B marketplace specializing in Indian handicraft products. This online platform serves as a trade hub, linking buyers from around the globe to verified manufacturers and suppliers in India. Its goal is to offer a thorough solution for both buyers and sellers by streamlining end-to-end operations through our e-marketplace. Additionally, it assists Indian manufacturers and wholesalers in reaching international customers. Their support goes beyond mere connections; they help sellers enhance the marketability, appeal, and professionalism of their catalogues through dedicated cataloguing team assistance. This startup also takes care of logistics, alleviating concerns about fulfilment or shipping by collaborating with major logistics aggregators to offer significantly improved pricing.

AuthIndia

AuthIndia dives into the realm of Indian handicrafts and art. This online trading platform allows customers  explore and sell a variety of Indian handicrafts globally. AuthIndia showcases over 15,000 handicrafts and attracts more than 30,000 visitors to its website daily. Their mission is to offer an e-commerce platform to all merchants without the involvement of intermediaries. This approach ensures that all profits are generated and distributed without any deductions. They offer a broad selection of products, including Lucknow's Chikan embroidery sarees and suits, hand-woven saris from across India, handmade jewelry, Gujarat's embroidered Kutch bags, and vibrant, one-of-a-kind handicrafts from all regions of the country.

The India Craft House

In 2010, The India Craft House was established with the primary aim of creating a fair pricing platform for artisans who often have very limited access to markets, particularly global ones. It provides genuine Indian crafts from all over the subcontinent to both domestic and international markets through an online platform, as well as through direct offline sales for customized and bulk gifting assignments for conferences, corporate gifting, events, and other various sectors. The organization's goal is to offer a distinctive selection of traditional art and craft that is transformed into unique and attractive contemporary products, highlighting a broad array of authentic Indian crafts sourced directly from artisans or through NGOs working closely with artisan groups.

Also Read: Brands Empowering and Prioritizing the Ethical Handloom and Artisans

QTrove

Qtrove.com is a carefully selected marketplace that features natural and sustainable goods from small and medium-sized vendors. These items are not produced in factories and are free of chemicals. Launched in 2016, it aims to support local sellers and entrepreneurs who create unique products that are yet to be recognized outside their immediate communities. Qtrove strives to replace the mass-produced harmful items you encounter daily (in your kitchen, bathroom, and living room) with our handcrafted products for a healthier and brighter future.

Afday

Established in 2019, Afday is a community-driven marketplace for crafts and makers where individuals gather to buy, sell, and engage with one another. Their mission is to bring the world closer together.

They showcase exceptional designs from artisans and craftspersons throughout India and offer them to members at outstanding value. Afday connects people to some of India’s finest handmade products. 

 

The platform features storytellers who share the narratives of remarkable products and the creators behind them. Afday emphasizes items that exhibit unique, high-quality craftsmanship and distinctly local designs that are versatile for any global setting. Their offerings include home decor, accessories, jewelry, clothing, gifts, vintage pieces, and much more.