Sbm Report

SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT HANDICRAFT

INTRODUCTION

Handicraft, more specifically expressed as artisanic handicraft, sometimes also called artisanry, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is a traditional main sector of craft. Usually the term is applied to traditional means of making goods. The individual artisanship of the items is a dominant principle; such items often have cultural and/or religious significance. Items made by mass production or machines are not handicraft goods. Ancient crafts throughout Pakistan are part of daily life, especially in rural areas, home to 70% of the population. In the land of the Indus, the traditional artisans of the Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan pursue their skills, as they have done for generations. From household goods to bridal jewellery or tribal wears. “Cottage Industry has the key importance in the development of the country as it holds a fundamental position in rural set-up besides gaining enormous importance in cities and towns,”

HISTORY

The first references to Indian handicrafts can be found from the Indus Valley Civilization (3000 BC-1700 BC). The craft tradition in India has revolved around religious beliefs, local needs of the commoners, as well as the special needs of the patrons and royalty, along with an eye for foreign and domestic trade. These craft traditions have withstood the ravages of time and numerous foreign invasions and continue to flourish till date owing to the assimilative nature of Indian culture and broadmindedness of the handicraftsmen to accept and use new ideas.

The Indus valley civilization had a rich craft tradition as well as a high degree of technical excellence in the field of pottery making, sculpture (metal, stone and terracotta), jewelry, weaving, etc. A lot of material information from excavations at Harappa, Mohen-jo-daro, etc. substantiate the craft tradition of the Indus valley civilization. The craftsmen not only catered to all the local needs but surplus items were sent to ancient Arabian cultures via ancient sea routes.

Handicraft is the art of creating products using raw and indigenous materials. It develops the skills and creative interests of students towards a particular craft or trade. The basic training provided in a specific craft prepares the students to become competent craftsmen and artists who can contribute to the establishment of cottage industries, thus contributing to the economic growth of the country.

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PROVINCE (Sindh)

The roots of Sindhi culture and civilization go back to the distant past. Archaeological researches showed the roots of social life, religion and culture of the people of the Sindh. Sindhi culture is a fusion of multiple culture patterns. Sindh is a repository of varied cultural values and has remained the seat of civilization and meeting point of diverse cultures from times immemorial. Sindh’s cultural life has been shaped, to a large extent, by its comparative isolation in the past from the rest of the subcontinent. The people of Sindh developed their own exclusive artistic tradition. Their arts and craft, music and literature, games and sports have retained their original flavor. Sindh is rich in exquisite pottery, variegated glazed tiles, lacquer-work, leather and straw products, needlework, quilts, embroidery, hand print making and textile design.

WORK OF HANDICRAFTS:Sindh has a rich heritage of traditional handicraft that has evolved over the centuries. Sindh’s apparel tradition is one of the world’s oldest with handlooms and power looms dating back to the Indus Valley civilization. The hand-spun and hand-woven cloth called ‘Khadi’ was being exported to various countries since time immemorial. The most famous Ajrak remained the centre of attention for the visitors. Dominated by blue color, the cloth presents a true picture of elegance. Sindh was traditionally a large producer of indigo and cotton cloth and both used to be exported to various countries. Along with Ajrak the Ralli or patchwork sheet, is another Sindhi icon and part of the heritage and culture.

DISTRICTS

Sindh has a rich heritage of traditional handicraft that has evolved over the centuries Lacquered wood works known as Jandi, painting on wood, tiles, and pottery known as Kashi, hand woven textiles including khadi, sussi, and ajraks are synonymous with Sindhi culture preserved in Hala’s handicraft.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khadi


HALA:

Hala is famous for pottery and tiles . Hala’s artisans manufacture high-quality and impressively priced wooden handicrafts, textiles, paintings, handmade paper products, and blue pottery.

THATTA:

The bazaars of Thatta are known for hand-printed fabrics, glass bangles, cotton lungees and khes and Sindi embroidery work in lay with tinny mirrors, one of the more world known handicrafts of Pakistan.

NASIRPUR:

Nasirpur This town is also famous through the subcontinent in Pottery (Ceramic and Kashi Art), Khes and carpet, wood work, agriculture (Onion, Wheat, Sugarcane), sweet s "Kheer Pera". Carpet work is also one of the oldest industry in Nasirpur working under Sindh Small Industries Corporation.

SHIKARPUR:

Shikarpur became the core of manufactures including brass and metal goods, carpets, cotton cloth, and embroidery. The Metal vessels of Shikarpur,

THARPARKAR:

The ralli quilt, embroidery and leather articles of Tharparkar, and the lacquered work of Kandhkot.

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SPECIALITIES

Sindh has a reputation for following handicraft.

Ajrak,

Ralli,

Ceramics,

Khes & Kashi,

Articles made of date leaves,

Farassi rugs,

Jandi,

Musical instruments,

Caps/ sindhi topi,

Straw products,

Bangles, Crucia work,

Embroideries,

Thari carpets and

Woodcarving

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AJRAK

The ajrak has existed in Sindh since the birth of its civilization.

The color blue is predominantly used for ajraks. Sindh was

traditionally a large producer of indigo and cotton cloth and both

used to be exported to the Middle East. The ajrak is a mark of

respect when it is given to an honored guest or friend. In Sindh, it

is most commonly given as a gift at Eid, at weddings, or on other

special occasions like homecoming. The tradition still prevails centuries later, and people still

use the same methods of production that were used in the earlier days to create an ajrak. The

garment has become an essential part of the Sindhi culture and

apparel of Sindhis. Men use it as a turban, a cummerbund or

wind it around their shoulders or simply drape it over one

shoulder. Women use it as a dupatta or a shawl and sometimes

as a makeshift swing for children.

Ajraks are usually about 2.5 to 3-meters long, patterned in

intense colors predominantly rich crimson or a deep indigo with

some white and black used sparingly to give definition to the geometric symmetry in design.

PLACE OF PRODUCTION:

Ajraks are made all over Sindh, especially in Matiari, Hala, Bhit

Shah, Moro, Sukkur, Kandyaro, Hyderabad, and many cities of Upper Sindh and Lower Sindh.

AREA OF OPERATION:

n order to promote centuries old Sindh Handicrafts and to provide better working environment to the Craftsmen, SSIC have establishment following Artisan Colonies.

SR.NO Name & Location

Year ofEstablishmen

t

Area in Acres

No. of Shops

Trade

1) Tando Muhammad Khan

1989-90 1.0 30 Ajrak Printing.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matiari


2) Matiari 1993-94 0.5 15 Ajrak Printing.

RALLI

Ralli quilts are traditional quilts made by women in the areas of Sindh, Pakistan. The ralli (also known as rilli, rehli, rallee, gindi or other names), or patchwork quilt, is another Sindhi icon and part of the heritage and culture. Most Sindhi homes have many rallis—one for each member of the family and a few spare for guests. The ralli is made with small pieces of cloth of different geometrical shapes sewn together to create intricate designs. They may be used as a quilt or a blanket, and are often given as gifts to friends and guests.

CATAGORIES OF DESIGN:

The rallies come in three categories of design:

o Patchwork

o Appliqué, and

o Embroidery

1) PATCHWORK:

Patch work is a form of needlework that involves sewing together pieces of fabric into a larger design. The larger design is usually based on repeat patterns built up with different colored shapes. These shapes are carefully measured and cut, straight-sided, basic geometric shapes making them easy to piece together. Patchwork is the most common and is found on most village beds. Many of the designs are very complex. The designs are not written down but are held in the women's memories and are passed down from mother to daughter

2) APPLIQUé:

Appliqué designs are also found throughout the ralli region. Small squares of fabric are cut out (similar to a paper "snowflake"), edges are turned under and sewn unto the block fabric.

Appliqué and electronic sewing machines:

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Modern consumer embroidery machines quickly stitch appliqué designs by following a program. The programs have a minimum complexity of two thread colors, meaning the machine stops during stitching to allow the user to switch threads.

3) EMBROIDERY:

Embroidery quilts are the specialty of a few nomadic groups especially the Saami. These quilts generally use a large piece of whole or patched cloth and using colored thread, have stitching in embroidery designs go through all the layers of the cloth.

PLACE OF PRODUCTION:

This production can be found in Sindh in Umerkot. Tharparkar

CERAMICS

The history of pottery is as old as 1500 BC dawn of Neolithic age. The history also reveals that putter’s wheel was introduced and used for to produce. Patterns items. With the passage of time the pace of development continued and present ceramic items are the latest crafts of Sindh.

The pottery and is also recognized and named as “KASHI” Which entered in Sindh in 15th century from Iran and Turkey. The Islamic touches may also be seen in Bahmbore items (722 AD) which also consider as the part of this cluster & history.

To promote and to keep alive the ceramic crafts the Sindh Small Industries Corp. (551C) has established a ceramic Training cum production centre in the year 1991 at Nasirpur District, Matiari which is located 48 KM northeast of the city and houses of the tomb of Shah Abdul Latif Bhatia the great Sindhi Sufi saint. The town is also fame for its Handicrafts including Lacquer work. Glazed pottery, sussi and Ajrak (hand loom cloth) and embroidery.

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BLUE POTTERY

It is well known fact and inconformity to the past history the use of blue color was common and still liking by the customers, Nasirpur & Hala are the main centers where the blue pottery is still in production, small units are engaged in manufacturing pottery product & tiles. Which is specialty of the area In Nasirpur there are around 17 artisans.Further more Hala is an other centre which is very much famous in the sub-continent in art of pottery, wood work, cloth printing, woven cloth Suti & Khadi in color full designs. In Hala 55 artisans are working in 4 different production houses

earning Rs.3, 000/- to Rs. 15,000/- PM. As the units are locating in residence hence the woman labor is also sharing in production. Which are Guldan, Box, Hot pot, Wall pieces, Gamla, Tables and marketing it in Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, sukkur & Islamabad. In Nasirpur the artisan earn Rs. 3,000/- to 4,000/- per month depending upon their skill, experience and expertise. None of the lady worker is involved in this skill.

CARPETS

In Karachi, there were 1,000 carpet weaving looms at the Afghan refugee camp near Toll Plaza on Super Highway. Now the number has declined drastically. Since 2002, more than 2.8 million Afghan refugees have returned home under the UNHCR’s voluntary return assistance program. Exporters are now bringing carpets from Kabul. Interior Sind comes second in carpet weaving after the Afghan workforce.

Place of Production:

Carpet industry is now prominent in places such as Thar & Boobak for carpets

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KASHI

The glazing and hand painting of ceramic products is an important art for which Nasirpur is famous all over the world. The use of foliage or branches and leaves of trees and superb richness of colors (mainly blue) in Kashi work is an evidence of Persian influence. The art has survived for centuries through generations as its trade secrets like composition of colors were passionately guarded by a handful of artist and their families. Among the various arts that are practiced in Pakistan, Nasirpur Kashi work has attained a higher state of refinement. There is always a room to bring into the art new innovations endow it with fresh spirit and set the science as its guide.

KHES

Khes is an oldest industry in Nasirpur. It is famous for Khes. Many design are available, Cotton and Silk Sindhi khes, lungi, mooshi, garba, and clothes are prepared. Due to lack of resources, funds and negligence of Sindh Small Industries Khes industry has lost its historical importance. Few private khes industries are still working. The diverse Sindhi cultures, lifestyles, traditions as well as geographical conditions have influenced Sindhi art, and for over a century handicrafts have been a source of pride and a livelihood for the people of Nasirpur.

Place of Production:

Nasirpur is famous for khes and kashi.

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DOWNFALL

HANDICRAFT in Sindh was once a major source of livelihood for millions of people, majority of

them women. But the rising cost of inputs, difficult access to credit and poor marketing network,

have brought the industry to its present dismal state. Handicrafts were mostly made by rural

women inside their homes, who formed an active domestic labor force, and contributed over

50% to their overall incomes.

“Nearly 65% of women earned their livelihood from handicraft work. Now 90% of these women

are jobless,” said Nawab Pirzada, assistant chief of industries section in Sindh Planning and

Development Department. These jobless women artisans had shifted to other trades, mainly

agriculture and livestock breeding, Handicraft making was so common that every house in

Sindh was turned into a small workshop or cottage industry. But unfortunately, during the last

15-20 years, handicrafts production has witnessed a nose-dive because of falling demand,

absence of strategic planning and vision for revival of the indigenous crafts, says Khair

Mohammad, president Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). ‘

If cottage industries were set up at tehsil levels and locals were employed to produce new

batches of artisans, it would have surely helped revive the traditional arts and handicrafts.

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GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The Small and Medium Enterprises Authority (SMEDA) is planning to set up an organization of artisans to empower the community. SMEDA is also publishing a directory of the artisans so that exporters can directly contact them. Hala is the home of a remarkable variety of traditional crafts and traditional handicrafts that carry with them centuries of skill that has woven magic into the motifs and designs used.

Sindh is known the world over for its various handicrafts and arts. The work of Sindhi artisans was sold in ancient markets of Armenia, Baghdad, Basra, Istanbul, Cairo and Samarkand. Referring to the lacquer work on wood locally known as Jandi, T. Posten (an English traveler who visited Sindh in the early 19th century) asserted that the articles of Hala could be compared with exquisite specimens of China. Technological improvements such as the spinning wheel (charkha) and treadle (pai-chah) in the weaver's loom were gradually introduced and the processes of designing, dyeing and printing by block were refined. The refined, lightweight, colorful, washable fabrics from Hala became a luxury for people used to the woolens and linens of the age.

Government Policy towards Small-scale and cottage industries

The government is fully aware of the potential of cottage and small-scale industries for industrial

development. The following organizations have been established to develop this sector of

economy.

Pakistan Small Industries Corporation (PSIC)

Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC)

Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC)

The Small Industries Development Board NWFP (SIDB)

The Directorate of Small Industries Balochistan (DSIB)

The above organizations are taking the following measures:

Establishment of industrial estates.

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Providing marketing facilities.

Setting up of technical service centers.

Establishing handicraft development centers and carpet centers.

Providing pre-investment counseling and guidance to new comers.

Providing local and foreign loans to small industry owners on easy installments.

EXHIBITION

The bed sheets, suits, shawls and caps made up of Rilli work were also displayed in the exhibition. An exhibition titled “Promoting Indigenous Handicraft of Sindh” inaugurated on Saturday at Nomad Art Gallery. The exhibition was organized by Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers’ Coordinating Organization (Safwco) in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which grasped a big number of visitors especially foreigners towards it.

The most famous Ajrak remained the centre of attention for the visitors. Dominated by blue color, the cloth presents a true picture of elegance. Sindh was traditionally a large producer of indigo and cotton cloth and both used to be exported to various countries. Along with Ajrak the Rallis or patchwork sheet, is another Sindhi icon and part of the heritage and culture. The bed sheets, suits, shawls and caps made up of Rallis work were also displayed in the exhibition.

IMPORT AND EXPORT

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Sindh was traditionally a large producer of indigo and cotton cloth and both used to be exported to various countries. Enormous amount of ajrak is exported to Middle East.

Pakistan exports ajrak, ralli, ceramics, furniture, cotton fiber cement, tiles, marble textiles, clothing, leather goods, sports goods (renowned for footballs/soccer balls),Cutlery, instruments, electrical appliances, software, carpets, & rugs.

CONCLUSION

With striking color combinations, traditional embroideries, exquisite designs and awesome materials, Sindh crafts continues to allure people whole exhibiting the 500-year old tradition. While indigenous crafts and the artisan has survived over these years, modern technology and surging market has arrested the tradition and it is fast declining. As large percentage of Pakistan’s population lives in rural areas where indigenous crafts have remained a major source of income that have not been able to keep pace with the development in the urban areas. Thus, in Sindh development of an infrastructure has suffered and the marketing base has been eroded, efforts to develop alternative resources of economic activity has also not yielded the require results. Having initiated different sensibilities and interacted with eminent professionals in the field the Planning and development in the Government of Sindh certain programs are initiated. Moreover, SMEDA .Small and Medium Enterprise authority is supporting a lot in this regard. SMEDA had initiated certain policies and has developed capacity building and assistance of individuals in indigenous crafts and skills to promote cottage industry.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_appliance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leather

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