It is a country’s craft that gives that country a great part of its unique identity. Craftspersonsexpress the spirit of a people through the work of their hands: the spirit of India is evident in our craft, as is the spirit of Africa in theirs, and of all great civilizations in their own. Craft must remain true to that spirit, while retaining its relevance to contemporary life. And at the present moment in history when people are realizing how damaging the industrial mode of productionis to the environment , how disruptive it is to society, there is a tremendous opportunity for craft production to regain its importance in the economic life of this country.
The history of Indian craft is both elevated and tragic. India has a vast diversity of craft skills, both those that serve everyday needs, as well as the high skill crafts which produce rare and valuable objects. And yet the social position of the craftsperson in modern India, barring a handful of master craftspersons, is low. That is the reason craftspersons are leaving their traditional practices, the potter is leaving the wheel, the weaver is leaving the loom, because of the low status of craft practitioners inour society. It is the job of people like you and me to restore the dignity of craftproduction and craft producers in our society.
You,graduating students, have been fortunate enough to spend years here at this Institute learning about different aspects of artisan work. You have perhaps realized that craft communities must make difficult choices in today’s world, choices that will maintain the essen...
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