Chapter - 5

CONCLUSION

Arts and Crafts which are existing right from pre-historic times are a matter of

changing styles and techniques. Arts and Crafts are also like the waves of the sea. With

fading waves reaching the shore, new waves come up from within the sea. In the same

way arts and crafts are there for centuries together, some of them, basing on the

popularity and patronization either fade or continue to the next generations.

Most of the arts and crafts discussed in the previous chapters are unique and

confined to India only. Even if similar arts and crafts exist in other countries also they are

not quite similar by appearance or technique of manufacturing. Even in India also

regional variations differ for the same art. For instance, the art of sculpturing on stone is

found everywhere all over the world, but the sculpture sculpted at Rome looks quite

different from that of the Indian one. Even in India also regional variations mark the

difference, the sculptures of Northern India are quite different from that of the South

Indian ones. Even in South India also dynastic variations in arts and crafts are quite

common. Although ages have gone, still people talk about Pallava, Pandya, Kakatiya,

Vijayanagara temples and sculpture which are quite different from each dynasty by style

and technique. They are so beautiful and literally it is not possible to sculpt or construct

similar type of sculptures or temples. The importance of these things, for that matter

anything, depends mainly on its popularity or rarity. If something is quite popular people

like to own it because of its popularity, in the same way if something is fast disappearing

178
from the availability also makes it important to possess the last pieces of availability.

This is not because of love on the disappearing objects, crafts and arts, it is because of

their fast returns in money. People are becoming more and more aware of “Antiquities”

and their values. With the passing time people have realized the importance of the dyeing

arts and crafts. Stone sculptures and monuments like temples are the subjects of the

strongest medium to survive the odds of Nature and time; that‟s the only reason we are

able to see the old temples and stone sculptures even today. But what about the other

media objects like wood, leather, terracotta etc.? They are subjected to the wrath of time

and nature with no caretakers to take care of them.

It is only since a few decades‟ people as well as the government started taking

care of antiquities, an awareness has come up in the minds of people as well as

government, Antiquarian Laws have been promulgated for the protection of Antiquities.

With this, people have started collecting antiquities like old paintings, coins, bronzes,

arms etc. Most of the collectors of these arts are not art lovers, but for the sake of huge

returns expected in future they have invested now in antiquities. Whatever may be the

reason, old things and antiquities have gained importance. What we call an antiquity now

was not an antiquity sometime back or when it was made, but after passing several

decades or centuries of its origin, or when it started disappearing from society with no

further manufacturing, they have once again started gaining importance. This is purely a

business trend, people never thought of surviving a dyeing art, instead they started

looking for the last pieces scattered here and there. This is the running story of the

179
society. What we had seen plenty in our childhood days have become scarce and ready to

extinct.

Even in the field of Sciences also, the apparatus, instruments etc. of bygone ages

cannot be seen now. Can anybody now build a big Radio of first generation? The answer

is obviously a big No, because the first generation Radio worked on Valves, the second

generation Radios worked on Transistors there by reducing the size of Radios to a very

large extent. The present generation radios or TVs work on the I.Cs (Integrated Circuits)

and Chips which further reduced the size of any electronic components to an amazing

small size. Here one should consider that with the developing technology the electronic

gadgets have comedown to a very small size convenient to handle and carry, this is good

development, but as far as handicrafts and arts are considered they are not getting

modified to sophistication but vanishing from the society totally. If this trend continues

for some more time most of the Handicrafts become extinct from the society, which

should not happen. Our age old arts and crafts should continue in the society for posterity

if not further developed. What one should do for this? Preserving our heritage and arts

and crafts should become the social responsibility of society and the people living in this

society.

The following are some of the suggestions made to take the Arts & Crafts,

discussed in the previous pages, to posterity.

Continuing the Traditions with New Technology

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 Artisans and Craft men should adopt the New Trends and Technologies for their

works. New techniques in mechanization will improve the quality and quantity of

production. At the same time the artisan can concentrate more on his work because of

less physical strain. Some of the arts & crafts workers already shifted to new technology

and making their products using machinery. Normal wood figures are being

manufactured by the new entrepreneurs. They are taking the help of cutting machines to

cut the wood into required size, polishing it with hand-drills instead of Sand papers

making the production more in less time. In the same way machinery is being used in

different arts and crafts like Sheet Metal works, Bidri Works, Stone Sculptures etc. Even

in Silver Filigree works also machines are being used to draw the Silver to required

thickness. Earlier this was done by hand only which is a very strenuous job.

Government Subsidies

Government should provide subsidized raw materials, electricity and machinery

for these artisans to the required extent which is not being done now. The subsidies

offered are being very nominal and are not in the encouraging range. To make the

production more Artisans of this generation are using machinery which will save time as

well as the energy, but when it comes to the electric bills for the machinery used,

whatever they have saved on time and energy is being compensated and sometimes more

also. This situation can be avoided if the Government thinks in terms of providing

electricity and machinery at a nominal price or free of cost if possible. For so many poor

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people Government is supplying free current, why not to these artisans and craftsmen

who are striving to retain the traditional arts and crafts?

Till a few years back the artisans used to get the wood for their products almost

free of cost, but with the Save Green Campaign, artisans are not permitted to take

whatever quantity they want, and more over they are being charged for the same.

Particularly the Red Sanders wood has become so scarce to artisans, which they have to

procure through Forest Department in a very limited quantities. Hence artisans of this line

are looking for outside sellers or smugglers for procuring Red Sanders. Government

should consider the artisans for their needs. Every other commodity of the artisans

requirement have become costlier and the artisans are not able to meet the two ends.

Government should think in terms of continuing these traditional arts and crafts so that

these arts and crafts can be taken to posterity.

Social Responsibility and Awareness:

Society i.e. common public also should take it as their responsibility to support

and to see these arts and crafts survive for posterity. People from other countries come to

see India for only and one reason that is Unity in Diversity. Several castes, creeds,

religions, traditions and cultures what not with so many differences amongst, Indians live

in unity which is a rare phenomena. This diversity reflects in the arts and crafts also and it

needs to be preserved. Government may charge a nominal tax on every tax payer for the

benefit of these arts and crafts to survive. To retain the Bangladesh refugees, a few

182
decades back Government has added tax on Post Cards, covers etc. in the name of

Refugee Tax. When we are doing it for other country refugees why cannot we do it for

our own artisans and artists. People are willing to accept any nominal tax for the survival

of our culture.

Foreign Tourist Attractions and Wide Publicity:

The items of arts and crafts of Andhra Pradesh may be familiar and a common

occurrence for the people of Andhra Pradesh, but it‟s not the case with the outsiders

particularly with the foreign tourists. A person living in Hyderabad may not visit

Charminar or Birla Mandir daily although every tourist who comes for the first time to

Hyderabad does not like to miss them. In the same way the arts and crafts located at

different places of their manufacturing may not be the attractive items for a local eye, but

for a person coming outside of the region definitely become an attractive piece for

possessing. For this, the Governments, both at Centre and State should come forward

with new types of advertisements and stalls at Tourist points. In the Airports, one comes

across so many stalls displaying and selling local products like jewelry, books, road

maps, ready made garments etc. But displaying the handicrafts either for exhibition or for

sale cannot be found in Airports, Railway Stations or Bus Stations.

Its one of the very important steps Government or Local Bodies should adopt, so

that a Stranger who lands in this state right on his arrival should know what are all the

important places to visit, what are all the crafts and arts of this state, where they are

183
manufactured, how to go there etc. So, that on the first visit itself the tourist will have the

best impression. Similarly in all popular hotels also these items of crafts and arts should

exhibit and sell in the souvenir shops. The brokers and middlemen are doing this in star

hotels by purchasing the arts and crafts directly from the manufacturing artisans and

selling them to the foreign tourists at a much higher rate. This should be taken over by the

Government and Local Bodies so that instead of the middleman the artisan would benefit.

Minimum Wage Guarantee:

The artisans of these arts and crafts should be given a minimum wage guarantee

for the products they manufacture. Let it be the city emporia or the few Government run

show rooms like “Lepakshi” etc. who sell the artisans‟ products. Instead of procuring the

material on consignment basis, where the artisan would be paid only after the sales of the

products, the artisans‟ products be purchased by the show rooms or middlemen and sell

them with nominal profit. This will reduce the rate of the product as well as the purchase

capacity of the tourist or any other purchaser. The other way is periodically the

Government representative or official should go to the artisans directly, purchase the

items against cash and sell them at various exhibition centres all over the State and

Country. Once the artisan‟s money is not blocked, the artisan feels encouraged and

manufactures more number of items for display and sale.

Role of Tourism Department in Promoting Arts and Crafts:

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 The Tourism Department is the apex body to improve the conditions of the

artisans and their product sale. Associated with the Tourism department are the

departments like Handicrafts and Industries both at Centre and State to take initiative.

Tourism Department is one of the very richly funded departments both in State and

Central Governments. The handicrafts and arts of artisans are the least important ones for

the Department of Tourism. Tourism Department both at Centre and State always aim at

great historical places like Amaravati or Nagarjunakonda or great religious places like

Tirupati, Srisailam etc. Tourism department also takes initiative in public entertainment

places like Theme Parks, Museums, and Wild Life Sanctuaries etc. and give wide

publicity. One can find in the capital city of Andhra Pradesh and at other important places

of the State colourful banners and posters attracting the tourists describing about various

hotels, temples, wild life sanctuaries and religious places. Not even one in hundred one

can find a poster about the handicrafts of artisans and their products. It‟s only once in a

way they display posters about Bidriware or Silk Sarees. There is no point of selling and

making money on the good moving products, for the products made by artisans which are

slow in the market movement, sales should be improved. If need be business consultants

and other experts be consulted to improve the sales of these artisan products. Show rooms

at Star Hotels, Airports, Railway and Bus Stations be installed for display cum sales.

The tourism department should also promote artisan camps regularly in different

parts of the State, where the artisans of different arts and crafts are invited by paying

them T.A. and D.A. and they prepare their products before a large group of tourists and

sell their products then and there. This is being practiced by the Tourism Department for

185
encouraging the artisans outside the state i.e. artisans from the neighboring and other

different states. This should also be extended to the Local State artists periodically. The

Tourism Department also should organize “Exchange Melas” wherein the artisans and

their products be displayed abroad in return of display cum sale of foreign artisans and

their products. This is the age of Advertisement, one can find advertisements in different

media particularly the electronic media and sell their products ranging from Under Wear

to Luxury Cars. Sometimes one has to believe that the advertisement is much more

attractive than the actual product. When shaving blades and Hair oils are on rampant

sales through advertisements, why not the products of the Artisans that reflect our

culture? What it requires is the dedication to improve the sales of our cultural products.

This is the job of Governments because, the artisan can improve the quality and quantity

of his product but not the sales, because he is not a good salesman.

Finally to conclude, to make these arts and crafts, which are our cultural wealth,

survive one should feel it as one‟s own social responsibility. Social responsibility means

the collective responsibility of individuals, organizations and Government. Then only the

cultural wealth like these arts and crafts can be taken to posterity, otherwise they remain

as antiques in museums in the coming ages for the future generation.

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***

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PLATE 1- Mould Making and Casting – Bidri Art Ware

PLATE 2 - Engraving – Bidri Art Ware

PLATE 3 - Inlaying / Bithana – Bidri Art Ware

PLATE 4 - Inlaying / Bithana – Bidri Art Ware

PLATE 5 - Finished Articles, Flower Vases – Bidri Art Ware

PLATE 6 - Finished Articles, Tray and Bowl – Bidri Art Ware

 PLATE 7 - Finished Articles, Hanging Peacocks and Bells – Dokhra Metal
Castings

PLATE 8 - Finished Articles, Home Decoratives – Dokhra Metal Castings

PLATE 9 - Finished Article, The Nandi – Dokhra Metal Castings

 PLATE 10 - Finished Article, The Drummer – Dokhra Metal Castings

PLATE 11 - Finished Article, The Music Instrument – Dohra Metal Castings

 PLATE 12 - Embosing of Sheet – Sheet Metal Ware

PLATE 13 - Engraving of Sheet – Sheet Metal Ware

PLATE 14 - Finished Articles, Plant Pots, Water Pots and Vases – Sheet Metal Ware
PLATE 15 - Twisting and Drawing of Silver Wire through the Gauge – Silver Filigree

PLATE 16 - Shaping and Filing the Silver Wire in design of the article – Silver Filigree

PLATE 17 - Fixing of Outer Frame of the Article – Silver Filigree

 PLATE 18 - Finished Artiles, House Hold – Silver Filigree

PLATE 19 - Finished Article, Peacock – Silver Filigree

PLATE 20 - Finished Article, Tray – Silver Filigree

 PLATES 21 - Chiselling of the Wooden Figures – Wood Carvings

PLATE 22 - Chiselling of the Wooden Panel – Wood Carving

PLATE 23 - Finishing of the Wooden Article with Sand Paper – Wood Carvings

PLATE 24 - Finished Article, Krishna – Wood Carvings

PLATE 25 - Finished Articles, Hanuman, Laxmana, Rama, Sita, Krishna & Lord Ganesa – Wood Carvings

PLATE 26 - Finished Article, Carved Wooden Panel – Wood Carvings

PLATE 27 - Drawing of the Figure on Stone – Stone Carvings

PLATE 28 - Chiselling and Carving of the Figure on Stone – Stone Carvings

 PLATE 29 - Smoothing of the Figure on Stone – Stone Carvings

PLATE 30 - Finished Articles, Saraswati, Lord Buddha, Krishna & Trimurti – Stone Carvings
PLATE 31 - Raw Material, Poniki Wood – Nirmal Toys PLATE 32 – Cutting of the Poniki Wood – Nirmal Toys

PLATE 33 - Chiselling of the Poniki Wood for required shape of the Toy – Nirmal Toys

PLATE 34 - Nailed and togethered Toy – Nirmal Toys

PLATE 35 - Unfinished Rough shape of the Toy – Nirmal Toys

PLATE 36 - Perfect shaped Toy – Nirmal Toys

 PLATE 37 - Colouring of the Toy – Nirmal Toys

PLATE 38 - The Complete Toy, Tiger – Nirmal Toys

PLATE 39 - Some of the Toys, Birds - Nirmal Toys

 PLATE 40 - Lacquering of the Toy on Lathe – Etikoppaka Toys

PLATE 41 - Final Finishing of the Toy – Etikoppaka Toys

PLATE 42 - Finished Toys, Children Play Toys – Etikoppaka Toys

PLATE 43 - Finished Toys, Household items – Etikoppaka Toys

 PLATE 44 - Chiselling of the Toy – Kondapally Toys

PLATE 45 - Final shaping of different Toys – Kondapally Toys

PLATE 46 – Colouring of the Toys – Kondapally Toys

 PLATE 47 - Finished Toy, Ganesha – Kondapally Toys

PLATE 48 - Finished Toy, Ambari – Kondapally Toys

PLATE 49 - Finished Toys, Dasavatara, Hanuman & Garuda – Kondapally Toys

PLATE 50 - Drawing of the outline design with charcoal on cloth – Kalamkari Painting

PLATE 51 - Drawing of the final lines with Kasam(Black solution) by Kalam on

cloth – Kalamkari Painting

 PLATE 52 - Final colouring of the Painting with required colours on cloth –

Kalamkari Painting

PLATE 53 - Finished Kalamkari Paintings on cloth – Kalamkari Paintings

PLATE 54 - Making of the required wooden block for Kalamkari Printing – Kalamkari Printing

PLATE 55 - Printing of the design on the cloth with wooden block- Kalamkari

Block Printing
PLATE 56 - The finished designed cloths in Kalamkari block printing –

Kalamkari Block Printing

 PLATE 57 - Sketching & Painting of Nirmal Figure – Nirmal Painting

PLATE 58 - The figures painted in Nirmal Painting – Nirmal Painting

 PLATE 59 - Sketching of the Cheriyal Scroll figures on cloth –

Cheriyal Scroll Paintings

PLATE 60 - Applying of the colours to the Cheriyal Scroll figures on cloth –

Cheriyal Scroll Painting

PLATE 61 - The finished Cheriyal Scroll Paintings on cloth – Cheriyal Scroll Paintings
 PLATE 62 - Leather shadow Puppet figures – Leather Puppets

PLATE 63 – Leather shadow Puppetry show with figures – Leather Puppets

 PLATE 64 - Tieing of the threads – Tie & Dye

PLATE 65 - Weaving the Tie & Dyed cloth – Tie & Dye
PLATE 66 - Finished designed Tie & Dyed clothes – Tie & Dye
 PLATE 67 - Spindling and Twining of the Wool – Carpet Weaving

PLATE 68 - Binding of the woolen threads together – Carpet Weaving

PLATE 69 - Weaving of the Carpets by knotting the Pile – Carpet Weaving

PLATE 70 - Finished & Woven designed different Carpets – Carpet Weaving