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  Handicrafts
of the valley form an indispensable part of the lifestyle of the
Kulluites. Kullu caps  ,
shawls
and pattus
are articles of everyday wear.
The tradition of handicrafts is precedent. Though it arose as
inevitability and artist's devotion for nature, these days it
has taken the form of a fashion. With passing times variations
in designs have occurred, the motifs have changed and so have
the modes of processing altered.
People involved in handloom weaving monthly earn from Rs.1500
to Rs.3300. There are about 20000 to 22000 weavers in Kullu district
of which 50% to 60% are regular weavers. The rest weave independently
at home. Organized sector as handloom weaving co-operatives and
big societies employ nearly 1000 weavers directly or indirectly.
It has developed as a major cottage industry in the valley.
At present there are thousands of Kulluites involved in handloom
weaving. With time more and more people are getting employment
in this field. Government implements schemes for the upliftment
of handloom and handicraft industry and the weavers.
- It imparts training to weavers for their skill upgradation.
- Development of marketing infrastructure (exhibitions in fairs
and festivals).
- Provides financial help to weavers in buying handlooms.
- Helps the weavers financially in making showrooms.
- Provides designers from NID, NIFT, etc. from improving designs.
Problems of the Industry:
Marketing of Products: The most
vital problem faced by the handicraft industry is that of marketing
their products.There is no definite organization or co-operative
society or body occupied in supporting artisans in promoting their
products. They set out their products as domestic consumption
or against customary orders or in the local market.
Organizations as Himachal Handloom Handicrafts
Development Corporation, CCIC and Marketing organizations may
perhaps be given work in assisting the artisans in marketing their
products as per holding meetings for the purchase of handicraft
products directly from the artisans.
Finance: The rural artisans are poor
and are unable to arrange the required investment. Consequently
they can not purchase new tools and equipment and they can not
avail to training facilities. The financial institutes may be
advised to provide loans on concession rate of interest with easy
terms and conditions.
Raw- Material: Procurement of raw- material
is another major problem of the artisans. Non- availability of
raw material at suitable time and in ample quantity and quality.
Opening raw- material depots in craft concentration areas can
solve this problem.
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Status of
Handicrafts