Handloom Sector Research Articles

Marketing of Small Business with Regard to Handloom Sector

The present paper explores the marketing practices of handloom based small business enterprises in India. It is assumed that marketing plays an immense role in promoting as well as preserving handloom products. Handloom sector plays a vital role in preservation of traditional craftmanship and also provides job opportunities for the weavers specially women in case of Northeast India. Hence, it is a sector that makes women an empowered and self- reliant person. Small businesses in the handloom sector use a variety of marketing strategies which includes both traditional and modern approaches. Small business in handloom sector face different challenges in marketing of their products.

Impact of Remedial Exercise Training on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Morbidity Among Handloom Weavers in Kanchipuram District: A Quasi-experimental Study.

The handloom weaving industry is integral to developing countries, especially in South Asia, where traditional techniques are still widely practiced. In India, the handloom sector is a significant part of the informal economy, employing millions and preserving rich cultural heritage. Despite its economic and cultural importance, the sector faces severe challenges, including poor working conditions that lead to a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study focuses on assessing the prevalence of musculoskeletal morbidity and the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in reducing WMSDs among handloom weavers in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. This quasi-experimental study utilized a pre- and post-test design conducted over 12 months. A total of 121 handloom weavers from four major cooperative societies in Kanchipuram were selected using multistage sampling. Inclusion criteria were adults over 18 years, full-time weavers with more than a year of experience, and those who consented to participate. The study involved initial data collection through interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to assess pain prevalence. The intervention phase included physiotherapy exercise training thrice a week for three months, followed by post-intervention data collection and analysis. Pre-intervention data indicated high prevalence rates of musculoskeletal pain, with 62% of participants reporting knee pain and 54.5% reporting ankle/foot pain over the past year. Post-intervention assessments showed significant reductions in pain across all body parts, with the most substantial decreases in knee and shoulder pain. For instance, knee pain scores decreased from 3.10 ± 2.61 to 1.81 ± 1.69. The overall mean pain rating significantly dropped from 1.72 ± 0.88 pre-intervention to 1.00 ± 0.50 post-intervention, demonstrating the effectiveness of the physiotherapy exercises. The study confirms the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among handloom weavers and demonstrates the significant impact of physiotherapy interventions in alleviating pain. Implementing regular physiotherapy exercises can substantially improve the well-being and productivity of handloom weavers, ensuring the sustainability of this vital cultural and economic industry. The results advocate for policy changes and increased support for ergonomic and health interventions in the handloom sector.

Contribution to Informal Economy; Voice of Women Artisans of India

Art is not just a part of life; for some, it’s life itself! and this life is being lived to the fullest by the women artisans who not only nourish the art like their own kin but also help in promoting the GDP and shaping the economy of the country. According to the International Trade Centre, women make up for 70% of the global handicraft workforce. Here, through this exhaustive research, we shall analyze the contributions, challenges, solutions and outcomes of the voice of women artisans in India and how In- dia’s GDP has got a boost indirectly with women artisans taking the center stage. A KPMG study estimated that approximately 7.3 million people depend on handicraft and allied activities for livelihood. The handicraft and handloom sector in India is a Rs 24,300-crore industry and contributes nearly Rs 10,000 crore annually in export earn- ings. Women Artisans of India and the tribal communities gearing up with their act is tru- ly inspiring amidst the brand market of the world where handmade threads and knots are giving a run for the money to the machine made and robotic assembled goods. Vocal for local and its impact which not only promotes self reliability in the tourism sec- tor but even sustainability and is environment friendly is another feature that is touched upon with reference to Indian handicrafts and emergence of new startups promoting an-cient Indian techniques is another interesting feature. Self help group and NGOs sup- porting the economic development especially during the COVID pandemic times where this industry was the worst hit has been he life savior of this massive Industry. Digital empowerment ensuring higher market reach and faster market capture is the tool that does the trick with women artisans voicing in their concerns and asking for a leading hand not for their support from the masses but an indirect upliftment via awareness generated in the market. This awareness is the gateway to Education.

HANDLOOM AND CONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY: A STUDY AMONG THE BODO WOMEN WEAVERS OF ASSAM

The practice of handloom weaving holds significant historical and cultural importance for the Bodo community, serving as an integral aspect of their socio-economic fabric for countless generations. In addition to engaging in agricultural activities, the Bodo community, along with the wider rural and semi-urban population of India, have traditionally pursued handloom weaving as a secondary occupation. The significance of handloom textile and weaving in the lives of the Bodo weavers can be understood via two distinct dimensions. Firstly, at the local level, it serves as a manifestation of local wisdom and tradition deeply ingrained into their cultural practices. Secondly, at the national level, it acts as a tangible representation of the community's distinctive identity. This article attempts to comprehend the importance of weaving within the Bodo community, specifically among women weavers, and examines how their involvement in the handloom sector contributes to the development of cultural identity. Nevertheless, it is crucial to comprehend the viewpoint of the weavers in their commitment to the preservation of the weaving practice, as they assume the role of custodians and guardians of this longstanding heritage.

DigiBunai™ - Open Source CAD Software for Sustainable Handloom Industry in India

This paper aims to raise awareness about DigiBunai™, an open-source CAD technology developed by Digital India Corporation (DIC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. This initiative has been taken by the Indian government to support handloom designers and weavers with the use of ICT solutions and make the handloom sector sustainable. One of the major aspects of this paper is to understand the various stages of design development for woven products concerning manual methods as well as functions available in CAD software. This paper explains how the newly developed technology can help to reduce the time and effort required to create intricate designs of handloom products. The information regarding the use of technology to create weave patterns, artworks, and simulated fabrics has been summarized here, with the option to view the entire layout of the product. The uniqueness of this technology is that it can be used to design traditional Indian saree, which is the most significant value-added product of Handloom Weavers of India.

The Problems and Challenges of the Handloom Co-operative Societies in Varanasi District

The handloom sector has a unique place in our economy. It is necessary for all round development of any state to ensure that the economic and social benefits of development should reach all the sections of society. The investigation was an attempt to know the existing socio –economic condition of co-operative society’ head,their constraints, evaluation of government welfare programs and schemes, co-operative society’ structure and condition, strength of handloom industry and future of handloom weavers and handloom industry. The present study has been conducted in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh which is one of the major handloom hubs. It is based on primary and secondary data. The present study was conducted in two cluster-Ram agar and Bajardiha .Out of 350 Handloom Co-operative Society 15 Co-operative Society were randomly selected and each societies 10 Handloom weavers were randomly selected.50 Master weavers and 51 weavers working under master weavers, 49 Independent weavers were purposively selected from densely populated area of Varanasi of handloom weavers. Total 370 Handloom weavers were selected and 15 head of the co-operative societies were selected for the study. A structured interview schedule was prepared and administered on respondents through personal interview method and observation method of data collection. Secondary data for study collected from the published and unpublished sources, annual reports, research, journals and various related websites. Data were analyzed with the help of appropriate statistical tools like Frequency, Percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation T test and F test.The computer software SPSS 16 was also used to find results. for finding out the socio –economic background of respondents the B.G.Prasad’s scale of Socio Economic Status 2017 were used and results were drawn from it. The cooperative heads are getting tough to cope up with modern technology due to unawareness and illiteracy. Thereby they only able to perform old traditional work and are creating designs which are getting out dated day by day. Findings of the study will provide a guideline to the planners , administrators and handloom weavers also for development and strengthening the Handloom industry.

Psychological Capital, Work Engagement and Affective Organizational Commitment among Employees of the Handloom Industries in Sri Lanka

The study examined the effect of psychological capital on work engagement and employees’ affective organizational commitment of employees in the weaving canters of the Handloom sector in Sri Lanka. Further, it attempts to find out the effect of psychological capital on work engagement and affective organizational commitment of employees of the Handloom industries in Sri Lanka. The study expands the literature on relevance by contextualizing it in one of Sri Lanka's indigenous sectors of the Handloom industry based on the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory and the Job Demand-Resources (JD-R) Theory. Data was collected from 361 employees in the Handloom industry in Sri Lanka by applying the second thumb rule of Ringle et al (2012). The quantitative analytical technique was employed in this study through Smart Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modelling. The study revealed that psychological capital has positively related to affective organizational commitment and work engagement, the association between psychological capital and affective organizational commitment was mediated by work engagement. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on both the JD-R theory and COR theory by expanding the theoretical understanding of the mediation effect of work engagement in the relationship between psychological capital and affective organizational commitment.

PROBLEMS OF HANDLOOM INDUSTRY IN KERALA: A CASE STUDY OF BALARAMAPURAM HANDLOOM INDUSTRY

Handloom sector has often been hailed as the engine of economic growth for countries as it plays a crucial role in providing large-scale employment opportunities at a lower cost of capital, while also uplifting rural and backward communities through industrialization, resulting in a more equitable distribution of national income and wealth. Handloom is one of the important traditional sectors of our economy. Small scale industries are important because it helps in increasing employment and economic development of Kerala. Since independence, our handloom sector has been at the peak stage. But at present, modernization and mechanization caused the vanishing of traditional handloom sectors.

DIGITAL THREADS: ANALYZING THE EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS ON INDIA'S IKAT ARTISAN ECONOMIES

Historically, the Indian handloom sector has experienced a curious trajectory, from a tradition dating back thousands of years to a craft that severely suffered under British rule. Despite the importance attributed to hand-spun swadeshi cloth during the Indian independence movement, many weavers are barely able to make ends meet today. This has been compounded further by the advent of the digital age and internet technologies. Recognizing this, several technological interventions have been deployed in India's ikat artisan economies during the 21st century. This spans from the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), its flagship program Digital Cluster Development Programme (DCDP), alongside other notable organizations like Microsoft and Tata Trusts. Hence, this paper analyzes the effects of these interventions on India’s primary ikat hubs. Examining qualitative and quantitative data surrounding the impact of digital interventions on these communities, it will shed light on how digitalization can empower weavers within the handloom ecosystem, increase their wages, reduce the dominance of middlemen, and equip them with greater agency in the marketplace. This paper will also critically evaluate the approach taken by these interventions, its impact on the livelihood of weavers, and lastly, discuss the broader effects of digitalization within the context of a capitalist paradigm.

Issues and Challenges of the Indian Handloom Sector: A Legal Perspective

One of the most significant unorganized industries in the Indian economy is the handloom industry. According to some estimates, the handloom industry employs about forty lakh people. However, weavers involved in handloom production are unable to thrive in the face of fierce global competition and predatory tactics by multinational textile corporations, which threaten the survival of traditional handloom weavers through technical innovation. Due to these factors, the Indian handloom is always on the verge of hunger and starvation. The handloom industry’s strength comes from the fact that it is built on human talent, which is a component of traditional knowledge. Traditional knowledge cannot be adequately protected by the IP system in place. However, GI has developed as a legal tool for the defence and advancement of traditional knowledge. This is especially true in the case of the Indian GI Act, which covers a wide range of handloom products that are solely the result of human talent and independent of natural variables like typical area climatic circumstances. To preserve our rich historical and cultural legacy, it is imperative to safeguard and protect traditional methods, knowledge, and handloom products. Handloom weavers can benefit from Intellectual Property Rights protection under the existing worldwide regime. Some of the problems the handloom industry is currently facing and which give rise to legal issues include the socioeconomic circumstances of the weavers, the profitability of the handloom industry, the difficulties the weavers face, the accessibility of financial support, and innovative marketing strategies. Therefore, it is imperative that we consider these challenges and develop the kinds of plans that could aid the handloom business and weavers in improving their current situation. As a result, the paper looks at the current legal system for intellectual property rights to effectively safeguard the personal rights of handloom weavers as well as the craft itself.

Pooled OLS and Fixed Effect Estimation of Wage Structure and Differential in Handloom Sector: Choosing the Better Method

This study analyzed the wage structures and differentials of weavers in the handloom sector taking pooled Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and fixed effect model. Within Assam, India, primary data was collected from Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD), both rural and urban areas in the years 2018 and 2021. The result estimated by using pooled OLS shows production, productivity, education, experience, training, and distance of weavers from weaving residence to have a positive impact on the wages of weavers. Age, distance of weaving, and location of weaving were found to have a negative impact on wages. However, the result estimated using panel least square (fixed effect) showed age and location of weaving to have a negative impact on wages. The study also chose the better method among pooled OLS and fixed effect model. Since the probability value the Wald test statistic is less than 0.05, the fixed-effect model is preferred to Pooled OLS.

Socio - Technological Transitions Vital for the Handloom Sector and their Contribution in Achieving Certain SDGS

Socio - Technological Transitions Vital for the Handloom Sector and their Contribution in Achieving Certain SDGS

A Midas touch of sustainability in handloom sector and tale of sustainability crafted through crafts

This paper is a confluence of thoughts, approach and practices to sustainability in the handloom and craft sector and expresses how people approach to sustainability in the above sector has Midas touch. Their success story is the story of success of Sustainability at the grass root level. This paper creates a mosaic picture of their steps towards sustainability. The very basic tenet of craft and handloom is classics and slow fashion which has a huge impact on the sector. India being global leader in Handloom capturing 95% of the world market, this makes a tremendous difference. The research paper documents the approach of sustainability in handloom and craft sector touching upon the major aspects of sustainability.

Women’s Empowerment through Skill Education and Entrepreneurship Development in the Handloom Sector in Mizoram

Handlooms not only represent the rich cultural heritage of India but are also important from the point of view of their size and employment potential. It is the second-largest provider of employment in India after agriculture. The handloom workforce in India is largely outside the realms of formal education in India, impeding their empowerment. This article probes into the extent of empowerment among students of the Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc) (Handloom Weaver) and the impact of this unique course conducted at Mizoram University on women’s empowerment. Drawing on Naila Kabeer’s concept, the article examines women’s empowerment among students as an impact of the B.Voc course at Mizoram University. The B.Voc course provides skill-based education as well as prospects of employment through entrepreneurship with the promotion of the ‘Hnatlang Handloom Producer Company Ltd’ by the students. The study revealed that the B.Voc Handloom course provided valuable education and knowledge on hands-on handloom skills, entrepreneurship and leadership experience, exposure to marketing and networking, and fund management. However, students continue to subscribe to some of the stereotypical mindset. There is a need for sensitisation sessions on ‘Women’s Empowerment and Gender Studies’ to enable them to reconstruct structural inequalities and patriarchy.

An Analysis of Employment Status in Indian Handloom Industry

The handloom industry provides livelihood opportunities to many rural and urban populations in India. The present research was primarily focused on 13 major handloom practising states of India, each of which had more than one per cent share of total employment in India's handloom sector and covered 93 per cent of workers in this sector. The results showed the growth of employment in the handloom weaving sector and described the status of workers in the sector. Handloom census reports 2009-10 and 2019-20 form the database for the present study. It was observed that 4 states had a positive CAGR of the number of workers in the sector from 2009 to 2019, while it declined at the national level. The research also discussed the nature of work, engagement pattern, the average number of working days, average household income etc., and identified differences among the states.

A study on issues and challenges on production of handloom sector with special reference to rayalaseema and costal region of Andhra Pradesh

Handloom sector in Andhra Pradesh is known to manufacture exclusive sarees with intricate and distinctive designs. Every piece woven is often different from others. In view of the field work, the present study examines the problems and prospects of handloom sector of Andhra Pradesh which contributes significantly to the state economy and provides sustainable livelihood opportunities to natives of the state This study is concentrated in Rayalaseem and Costal Region of Andhra Pradesh, because in spite of decrease in handloom weaver population in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The studies also revealed that customers are willing to buy handloom and handcrafted products but they do not have this knowledge whether they are spending money on the original or the imitated product. The studies also revealed that customers are willing to buy handloom and handcrafted products but they do not have this knowledge whether they are spending money on the original or the imitated product. The visibility of handloom and handicrafts in the fashion and textile market had increased with the mobile applications and the handcraft will develop into a brand in itself with improved customer experience in Andhra Pradesh.

Sustainability and Gender Inequality within Handloom Value Chains

This paper empirically examines how and to what extent global value chains have impacted on the sustainability and gender inequality within the handloom value chain. The handloom sector in India contributes significantly to trade and offers livelihood opportunities to more than thirty three million workers. Traditionally, the handloom value chain involves family labour and women constitute a major portion of the handloom workforce in India. In this context, we examine both sustainability and inequality in terms of gendered labour relations in socio-economic mobility by giving a complete picture of the handloom value chain. The analysis is based on responses of 500 handloom workers employed across the Handloom Mega Cluster of Banaras’ in India. The conceptual and analytical framework of the global value chains (GVCs) is used to analyze the transitional nature of insertion of economies in the global production and distribution process. Findings highlight the lack of capacity upgradation, as most of the handloom household workers face survival vulnerability and remain trapped in poor wellbeing due to low human capital, low productivity, and low income. In contrast to male workers, women workers are found at more disadvantage as they face social constraints and discrimination in access to market and welfare schemes.

Export Assistance Program and Handloom Industry: A Literature Review

This research focuses on the handloom industry's export support program. The present governmental export support program is divided into four determinants based on their features, and those four determinants of export help were found by a thorough literature research and analysis of the governmental aid programs for the handloom sector. The financial support structure has a significant impact on export assistance since it provides numerous tax refunds and other concessions. This research primarily focuses on diverse literatures relating to the handloom business, with the goal of extracting the common thread running across all of the studies.

A Study on Impact of Atmanirvar Bharat on Handloom Weavers of Odisha

Introduction: Indian handloom products produced by handloom weavers are famous for their unique designs, quality, colour, durability and elegance and have cultural heritage through its calligraphy at both national international markets. ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ programme (Self-reliant campaign) of Government of India, is the ‘vocal for local’ campaign, composed with ‘Make in India’ campaign, presents opportunity to the handloom weavers to further strengthen the Indian handloom in the global textiles galaxy. The COVID 19 also has been torched the path of new development for handloom sector through the Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign. Research Gap: A good numerous of studies have been conducted on Make in India, AtmanirbharBharat, key sectors of Atmanirbhaar Bharat and Make in India by various researchers, academicians, scholars etc. But, no remarkable studies have been undertaken on impact of Atmanirbhar Bharat on handloom and handloom weavers of Odisha.Objective of Study: The present study attempts to analyse the impact of “Atmanirabhar Bharat” on handloom weavers of Odisha. Research Methodology: The present study is based on primary and secondary data. The primary data have been collected from the 100 number of sample handloom weavers through well-designed questionnaire and indirect interview method. The secondary data have been collected from various e-journals, e-research papers, e-magazines, various websites and internets. The collected data have been classified and tabulated according to the requirement of the study. There are various statistical tools like percentage calculations; chi-square test, One-Way ANOVA, t-Test, and Likert 5 point scale have been used for the analysis and interpretation of results. Conclusion: The present study concluded that ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign has little bit (about 5-10%) impact on handloom weavers of Odisha at present and it will have more impact on handloom weavers in the future perspective.

Ancient to contemporary—The saga of Indian handloom sector

Handloom industry is among the oldest industries in India, dating back to Saraswati-Indus Civilization, and various archaeological findings and ancient texts manifest its existence. The handloom sector is the second largest employment provider after agriculture, and accounts for nearly 15% of the cloth production in India. The uniqueness and versatility in weaves and designs of textiles from various regions of the country illustrate the rich tradition of India. Indian textiles gained prominence during ancient and medieval times; however, the colonial period destroyed the handloom industry and weavers. Britishers strategically broke the handloom industry by exporting raw material from India and selling finished textile products back to India, which consequently affected the Indian economy. The significance of the Indian handloom was recognized later and became a huge part of the freedom struggle, thus establishing the Swadeshi Movement in 1905 for revival of the Indian Handloom. In this paper, the journey of the Indian handlooms, the current scenario, the challenges, and the policy measures implemented to revamp the sector have been discussed.