Introduction:
Artisans, which are saturated into one community, are not identified by any special class or caste,
rather it is defined or identity stands by its unique traits and authentic features. Artisans can be
defined those people who can provide concrete form to their expression and feelings. According
to the tradition of India an artist is only considered accomplished when his repertoire of art
consists of works in ten different materials. These are wood, brick (terracotta/stone lime (stucco)
plaster, sugar, ivory, yantra and flat drawing and painting. This versatile technical skill of the
Indian artists is unique and is visibly present in the neat and complete workmanship, which is
found even, is decadent art. Thus craftsmanship is mostly defined items made by hand, often
with this use of simple tools is generally artistic and/or traditional in nature.
Artisanal crafts are rightly described the craft of the people. In our country specially in Bihar, it
is not an industry, the work is commonly understood, for the produce is also a creation
symbolizing the inner desire and fulfillment of the community. While handiworks whether metal
ware, pottery, mats or woodwork, serve a positive need in the daily life of the people, they also
act a vehicle of self-expression of a conscious, aesthetic approach. At the same time, they
manifest in their structure principle of Silp Sastra, the ancient scientifically evolved formulae and
regulations for manufacture.
The artisan was an important factor in the equation of Indian society and culture. The Village
communities of craftsman have always been the center of the traditional crafts of India. The caste
system imposed by the code of Manu preserved the ancient traditions and prevented, or at least
kept in check, the degrading influence of foreign thought. This community of interest would
naturally lead to the formation of trade unions, especially on the immigration of the craftsmen
towns and cities.
For the improvement of a less developed state like Bihar, it is necessary to educate people and to
train them in various skill & craft in order to improve their living conditions. In this context, the
Government of India launched a scheme Supply of Improved Toolkits of Rural Artisans
(SITRA) a sub-scheme of IRDP in July, 92 with the objective to enable the rural artisans below
poverty line to enhance the quality of their products, increase their production and income and
ensure a better quality of life with the use of improved tools. Now this programme has been
merged with new self employment programme i.e. Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana
(SGSY).
This sector has a vast potential to generate self-employment, which is not widely known and
quantified. Besides, it will strengthen the force of self-reliance in the countryside. Hence it is of
utmost importance to rediscover the real possibilities. The poor women who are remaining at
home and unemployed people could be trained on this field so their economic standard is
strengthened.
Background of Artisan in Bihar
About 30 artisans were taken from three areas of Patna; Nasriganj, Goisaitola and Budha Colony
to collect data. The artisans selected for the study were in different trade i.e. Aplique work,
Sujani, Jut bag making, Kadai and cloth making etc. Detail analysis of socio-economic
conditions of these artisan are given in this section of the report
The Nidan has formed a cooperative called Angna which promote handicraft products and secure
the local product in the market. It provides training to the local artisans on handicrafts and sells
the product prepared by the local artisans in the Patna and all over Bihar. The respondents belong
to three places of Patna i.e. Budha colony, Gosaitola and Nasriganj where the families do some
small handicraft work and families are from unorganized sector. All the respondents are women
household mainly looking after the family and children, these handcraft activities has become
their part time work which provides little remuneration of their families. The women artisans
face difficulties in developing their self employment
1. Distribution of artisans by their age-group
Distribution of sample artisans by their age-group is given at figure no.-1. It shows that the
minimum representation of such artisans.
Most of the artisan fall in the category of age between 25-35 years that are 14 in number and age
between 18-25 years contributes 11. This is the age where artisans want to earn more for their
family since they are able to work. The average age group of respondents are belonging to 30
years old who are involved in artisans work. All of them are married and looking after household
activities too.
2. Distribution of artisans by their educational qualification
Education plays a vital role in the development of any trade or occupation. Educational level of
artisans brings out through given below figure. It shows there is no professional training to the
artisan. Due to lack of technical and professional training artisans were unable to use Information
Technology, modern techniques and technological development for the artisanal sector.
We can understand the 30% of artisans have undergone primary schooling which is higher
number. 20% of respondents are illiterate and 20% of them have completed middle school. due
to this reason they could not find any other job rather being self employed. Only 17% of
respondents have completed matriculation.
Education has not only been an important precondition for sustained economic growth, both in
the developed and the developing countries, but it has also played a critical facilitative role in the
demographic, social and political transition of these societies. This is the reason unorganized
workers face difficulties in finding job according their capacity and qualification.
3. Number of working day before getting artisan card
Number of days
1-5 days
6-10 days
11-15 days
16-20 days
21-26 days
more than 26 days
not doing anything
Number of days worked
5
0
5
2
1
7
10
These artisans are housewives who are not trained on special field therefore they were remaining
at their home which was hampering their livelihood since only husband was the earning member
of the family. Ten women responded that before getting training and artisan card they were
remaining at home as housewives and caring their children.
4. Family dependency of respondents before getting artisan card
Occupation
Agriculture
Service
Business
Self Employment
Any other
Number of respondent
0
2
8
9
11
The above table shows that more artisans’ family depended on labour work since they belong to
that background. Only nine of them were self employed.
5. Earning member of the family
The number of earning members in the family is important parameters for the prosperity of any
household. Artisan households having number of male earning members and husbands are the
only earning members in the family.
The above figure shows that 28 husbands are the principal earning members in the families
which are the highest in number. Women artisans are looking after families as well as they doing
handicraft work and sending the products to outlet Angna where their products are being sold.
According to economic change in the society, single earning member of poor family faced lots of
difficulties since women remained at home looking after the house hold activities. According to
situation society allowed some freedom to women who contribute remuneration to the families.
6. Information about artisan before getting artisan card
It is very important that people who are belong to particular profession get detail information of
the area of job and scope of work. The below figure shows respondents had information about
artisan card before they got training from Nidan.
Most of the respondents that is 97% of them did not have the knowledge and information about
the artisan card. These women artisans were identified by Nidan during the intervention and
found that they have interest and hidden skill, so Nidan trained them later on and linked with
Angna cooperative. They were formed under SHG groups and promoted skill development on
handicrafts activities.
7. Family income of respondents per month before getting artisan card
Income plays a vital role in the socio-economic condition of any person. Distribution of artisans
by their income level brings forward in below table before getting trained training and artisan
cards and after getting training and artisan cards. Comparatively the income is higher after they
got training and artisan cards.
Figure no.-1
Figure No.-2
The above figure no. 1 reveals that 40% families had the income of the between Rs.1000-3000
and Rs. 3000-5000 per month which is very low according to the living standard people who are
residing at city. They solely depended on only one job therefore they do not earn much and only
husband is the principal earning member of the family. Earlier the wife was not train on artisan
activities who can contribute some amount to family to run it smoothly.
But after getting the training and artisan card there is some difference in the family income
which shown in above figure no-2 that families have improved their family income where now
17 families are earning between Rs. 5000-10000 and rest below Rs. 5000 per month. The women
who were remaining at home and after they trained and engaged in self employment has given
some earning to the family.
Saving of the artisan family before and after getting artisan card:
Saving is very important for any family to meet unexpected expense or to run the family. Most of
the families, who do not save, become debtor in hands of money lenders, MFI and other financial
agencies. The below figure shows the comparative study of saving habit of artisans
figure no.-1
Figure no.-2
The above figure no.1 shows saving habit of artisan before getting artisan card and 64% of the
respondents say that their family had no saving since their income was going in their daily
expense on food, health, education of children and other expense. Only 30% of respondents say
that they save in the family below Rs. 1000 per month. According to the above figure families
are not able to save for due to having more number in the family and for them everything has
become expensive with little money.
Even after getting artisan card and training on handicrafts artisans are not able to save for their
future. 54% of them say that their families do not save since there is no sufficient income in
family. To run the family they need some more income but the family depends only on labour
and artisan work with minimum income.
Comparing to saving habit of the artisan before and after getting artisan card, there is not much
difference since the need and demand of the family is increasing. If income has not much
increased in the family therefore they are not able to save for their future.
9. Respondents underwent training on handicrafts
Training is major component for developing any enterprise / trade. It is training which promotes
enterprises. Government efforts did not promote training to artisans.
Experience in Craft affects working condition of the artisan. Experienced persons improve their
working conditions by virtue of experience. Experience in particular Craft is revealed through
below figure of respondents
The above figure indicates that 15 members are trained on sujni and secondly 8 members trained
on stitching and kadai. 3 and 4 respondents areThe above handicrafts do not bring much earning
in the family which is difficult to lead the family as the things are becoming expensive.
10. Income from artisan activities
Income
Below Rs. 1000
Rs. 1000-5000
Rs. 5000-10000
Rs. 10000-15000
Rs. 15000-20000
Rs. 20000-25000
Above Rs. 25000
Number
respondents
21
9
0
0
0
0
0
of
Most of the artisans earning below Rs.1000 per month from their artisan work which provides
still very less price and to lead the family has been the greatest trouble. The artisans which they
have undergone training does not give much scope and machinery product has been more
dominant in the market. To sell their handicraft product of artisans, government needs to take
some initiatives, livelihood promotion of artisan create larger scope in the market.
12. Comparison of expenditure and income
Expenditure of family
No expense
Below Rs. 1000
Rs. 1000-5000
Rs.5000-10000
Rs. 10000-15000
Rs. 15000-20000
Rs. 2000--25000
Above Rs. 25000
Income of the family
Number of respondents
0
1
3 Below 1000
14
10 Rs. 1000-5000
15
17 Rs. 5000-10000
0
0 Rs. 10000-15000
0
0 Rs. 15000-20000
0
0 Rs. 20000-25000
0
0 Above Rs. 25000
The above mentioned figure indicates that the 17 artisans have the income between Rs.500010000 per month and their expense 15 of them says their expenditure is between Rs. 5000-1000
per month. Ten artisans say their monthly family income is Rs.1000-5000 per month and 14 of
them say their expenditure is between Rs.1000-5000 per month.
It is very clear that majority of the artisans’ income and expenditure is equivalent; therefore they
are not able to save for their future. The
14. Knowledge on government scheme related to artisan and handicraft among the
respondents
The above figure shows that artisans are not aware of government scheme for artisan and
handicrafts. the greatest number that is 29 of them say that they do have any knowledge on
government schemes related to artisans and handicrafts. Providing artisan card does not mean
that they will get benefit from schemes and program unless and until the artisan get knowledge
on that.
15. Number of artisan received benefit from government scheme
The above figure reveals that 100% of the respondents have not received any benefit from
government scheme even after getting artisan card. Where is the reach of artisan to government
schemes for that they need to be aware of schemes and NGOs should initiate to take action to
improve the socio-economic of artisans.
Conclusion and recommendation:
Recommendation
•
Advanced and specialized training programme for the Artisans would provide capacity
building to Artisans particularly among women. It would give guidelines for the
preparation of better designed and sophisticated products. Deptt of Rural development
and Deptt of urban development and District industry Centre (DIC) should organize
capacity building programme among women artisan.
•
Most of artisans who are involved in
•
Arrangement of raw materials at cheaper rate in the same locality it would save time &
money to Artisans. They will not need to travel distant places for purchasing raw
materials.
•
Provision of Social Security for the Artisans because artisans belong to unorganized
sector they still lacking social security programmes.
•
Arrangement of Awareness Programme among artisans regarding recent development &
innovation in the Artisanal sector as well as arrangement of Exposure visit in national
Trade Fair and other fair will provide knowledge among artisans regarding development
and technological changes in the artisanal sector at national level.
Conclusion:
Most of the women artisans belonging to poor background need back up their economic status
through providing them modern technique since they face the difficulties in increasing the
product quantity in the market. The demand oriented training would provide more income to the
families. So that and state government need to provide much more supports and efforts to the
artisans to sustain the culture through promoting their products in the market.
Thus there need a strong advocacy with the state government to implement the programme for
artisans at the grassroots level and their socio-economic status increases in the society.