Craft Council of India encourages artisans’ kids to learn family crafts

This, in turn, is affecting the handicrafts and handmade textiles industry. In order to sustain the industry, the Crafts Council of India (CCI) is hosting a programme called ‘Educate to Sustain’ There is a lack of motivation among the children of artisans to adopt the family crafts. This is mainly because the artisans themselves actively dissuade their children from adopting the profession. This, in turn, is affecting the handicrafts and handmade textiles industry. In order to sustain the industry, the Crafts Council of India (CCI) is hosting a programme called ‘Educate to Sustain’

Through this, children of the artisans will be taught their family craft by a master craftsman.“In the world of the artisans, a generation is a measure of survival — of family survival as well as of the legacy of craft skills. When for a generation, skills are not practised and handed down, they are lost. Children of artisans, vital to the perpetuation of craft heritage, are often forced to exit from the craft due to economic uncertainties. We launched this programme in order to keep children engaged in the family craft — we will be demonstrating them that this can be a remunerative and sustained form of livelihood,” says CCI Chairperson Gita Ram.

The CCI has arranged weekend classes for children belonging to three of their clusters in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Odisha. “We will be keeping a close watch on their activities through our local coordinator in the villages. The products made by these children will be displayed at CCI’s exhibitions as well,” she adds.