CRAFTS AND

CRAFTSMAN

TENZIN DOKAR, 1100100139

URBAN HAAT

EVALUATING THE FACTORS IN URBAN AREA FOR

SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD OF CRAFTSMEN IN
TRADITIONAL VILLAGE HAAT

INTRODUCTION

India's myriad crafts traditions and living crafts

skills has been vehicle of its cultural identity.
It has one of the most ancient and diverse
traditions of handmade products, and its
handicraft industry has been an important
cultural, social and economic asset.
The craftsmen are the backbone of the nonfarm rural economy.

AIM

Improving the economic status of rural

craftsmen, thereby promoting the survival of
indigenous traditional crafts through training,
production and marketing in urban area.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the constraints and opportunities in the handicraft sector.

To identify the factors and locations of traditional haats in an urban
context affecting sustainable livelihood of the rural craftsmen.
Importance of the urban haat and linkages for sustaining craft based
livelihoods.

URBAN HAAT

RESEARCH QUESTION

Why is the need to study and promote about the

traditional arts and culture of India?
The factors responsible for the deterioration of
exchange of crafts of rural craftsmen?
How the capital city location of traditional haat
affects the craft communities?

Economic opportunities:

Employment and income;

Social benefits;
Migration;
Economic growth;
The global market for handicrafts is USD400 billion, of which
India's share is below 2% representing a tremendous growth
opportunity.

Environmental benefits:
Low energy
requirement ;
Low carbon footprints.

URBAN HAAT

The
factors
responsibleinfrastructure
for deterioratingand
the exchange
of arts
and crafts are :
Lack
of adequate
marketing
facilities;

Presence of middlemen/agencies between the craftsmen and the

consumers;
Absolute dearth of communication skills forced these gifted artisans to
turn nomadic and shift
to alternative
livelihood
Lack
of design inputs;
no opportunities;
interaction between

craftsmen and consumer

Lack of exposure and promotion to the urban
market
The presence of multiple government bodies have
resulted in a lack of unified policy for the craft
sector;
METHODOLOGY In the case of temporary bazaars, due to everspiralling
costs and
rentals
makes
it costlier
The study has concentrated
onvenue
two urban
haats,
both
located
in
for the craftsmen

capital cities

BHOPAL HAAT

SWABHUMI
PLAZA

Factors
Location
Site

Function

Bhopal haat

Swabhumi

Located in capital city of Madhya Pradesh.

(2.5 acres)
Prime urban location, beside one of the
biggest mall of Bhopal. Surrounding space
enhances the location of haat and is a pull
factor for the urban consumer.

Located in capital city of West

Bengal. (6 acres)
The site is located on the only
natural hillock of Kolkata.
Undulating landscape, lush
greenery etc. adds on value to the
site.
It is in operation only for 7-10 days in a month It is in operation all year round and
hence, restricting a steady growth of income so it provides a stable income to
to the craftsmen.
the craftsmen.

Topography

Slightly slope, almost flat land.

Accessibility

Easy to access as it is almost a flat land.

Natural hillock, adds on the

ambience to the site.
Difficult for old age and
handicapped persons, so
Escalators and ramps required.

Socioeconomic
condition

The socio-economic condition of rural artisans

are not improved and not given much priority
as the citys existing is for its scenic beauty,
historicity and modern urban planning rather
than its cultural heritage.

Marketing
strategy

It is not fully functional and so lacking of basic Lacking of basic amenities like
amenities to the craftsmen marked the entry accommodation etc. within the site
of private market players.
makes it difficult for the craftsmen.
Transportation charges etc.
The built form reflects the local construction
Built form bears architectural

Built form

Whereas Kolkata city has long been

known for its literary, artistic and
revolutionary heritage. The socioeconomic condition of artisans is
better as the people are aware of
its rich heritage.

URBAN HAAT
CONCLUSION:

Not just crafts pieces and skill but also the space and location plays an
important role in enhancing the authentic handicrafts of our community.

The Urban Haat should be designed keeping in mind the ethnic and cultural
heritage of the area using architecture to create the ambience matching the
natural rural Haat at the same time it should meet the contemporary needs.

The Urban Haat should consist of education, training, library, accommodation

etc. facilities within the haat. Establishing such centres to impart training,
providing market intelligence and establishing linkages.

Locating the traditional haat at prime urban location where where culture,
tourism, transition and craft creation flourish together through which both
craftsmen and urban consumer are benefited. This contributes to
preservation of indigenous handicrafts communities of India.