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town-planning and structure plans in many of their cities like Mohenjo-Daro and
Harappa. Indeed, it is so marked that it is likely to typify each craft with a single
set of example drawn from one site alone. It is not yet established whether this
characteristic was achieved by the centralization of production linked with
competence of distribution, or by other factors, but in either case it calls for special
attention. A large number of metals were used by the Harappans for a diversity of
household articles, toys, weapons, images of gods, ornaments etc. Copper in its
unalloyed form was the most lengthily used metal in Harappa. The main crafts
made of copper were copper made mirror, vanity box, and tools like razors, chisels,
knives, arrow-heads, spear heads, celts, hooks, saws and swords. The bronze
images include model cards, charioteer with chariots, and the famous sculpture of a
dancing girl from Mohenjo-Daro and other figurines in attractive local appearance.
The Indian handicrafts thrived through the ages helped by vigorous folk
traditions, a benign culture when civilization was already in the making, and when
individualism was cherished and precision valued. The painstaking crafts men of
India found completion in the unique objects of beauty they made. The handicraft
artisans of India were known for the perfection of their craftsmanship, excellence
of design and form, and an unsurpassed sense of color. From time immemorial the
village and cottage crafts seemed to have played a fundamental role in the socio
economic life of the Indian people. In India it is not an industry as the word is
commonly understood, for the produce is also a creation symbolizing the inside
desire and fulfillment of the community.
Indian handicrafts were the main trading commodities before the colonial era.
It was rapid urbanization and competition from factory made products during the
colonial period that made many crafts immaterial and a number of artisans lost
their means of livelihood. However in India, the handicraft sector is still the second
largest provider of employment after agriculture, and a number of agricultural
communities depend on crafts for their endurance in periods of deficiency, famine
or other natural disasters. In a country like India, which has a rich cultural heritage,
the arts and crafts can contribute significantly towards national economy and in
raising the standard of living. However, that can happen only if Indias artisans are
confined and self contingent, and are given the chance to innovate. The Indian
handicraft industry is highly labor intensive cottage based industry and
decentralized, being spread all over the country in rural and urban areas. Numerous
artisans are engaged in Handicraft making on a part time basis. The industry
provides employment to millions of artisans including a large number of women
and people belonging to the weaker segments of the culture.
Due to limitation of time and responses only Madurai of Tamil Nadu, has
been selected as sample district for the purpose of the study. The period of the
study has been confined to only fifteen years from 2000-2001 to 2014-2015. Total
525 samples have been selected at random. The limitation of small period of the
study, the limitation of the random sampling, technique is incorporated in this
study.