Role of Traditional Textile Hand Prints of Barmer in Employment Generation

Abstract

India has a long tradition of textile especially hand woven and hand spun textiles. Textiles stand next to agriculture as an income generation activity for most of the rural population. India has been renowned for its printed cotton clothes since the 12 Century and creative processes flourished as the fabric received royal patronage. Different styles of design have been evolved in difference part of Country and District Barmer in Rajasthan is famous for its bold and vibrant motifs know by the name of ‘Barmer hand prints’. The colors mainly used in Barmer hand prints are red, blue and maroon and motifs are mainly floral and geometrical. Hand Block Printing is such an art which can be used for making every design, every piece of cloth unique and different from others, which could never be possible by using automated machinery wherein 100s of meters of fabric would come out in the same design and color. The present study was conducted to find out about the financial setup, employment pattern generated by traditional textile hand printing. A sample size of 40 units was selected randomly and study was carried out with the help of survey and observation method. Pre-testing was done with the help of 10% of the sample and then data collection was done after which raw data was coded, tabulated and statically analyzed. Study revealed that profession of printing was hereditary and carried out generation to generation from father to son. The units were Small scale units which did not require heavy investments and provide employment to many people. In Barmer hand printing units, the worker employed did not require higher qualification except skill and efficiency. Thus this traditional textile printing plays a vital role in providing employment at every level and to all age group people. In Barmer, women are also cooperating in maintaining and managing the units. Thus Barmer hand prints provides sustainable livelihood to many local families. It is the essence of India and the crafts that make India stand out in the world, one of the numerous arts and crafts that are slowly dyeing and so have to be renewed and brought back to life. The diversification of design in the handloom sector is the need of the hour.