TRADITIONAL HANDLOOM WEAVERS AND HANDICRAFTS

ARTISANS VILLAGE IN KOCHI

Introduction
Art and Craft are inter-related in many aspects. They are a form of expression of ideas and
solutions through items they create. Different items that craftsmen have made, during their
civilization has brought a masterpiece and stated about the period of their times.
Kerala is a land of artistic people. It is almost like the natives of Kerala have art in their
blood. The variety of arts and crafts in Kerala is very lively and emphasize a lot on the use of
colours. One will find intricate designs and vibrant details on Kerala art and craft. Kerala is
renowned for its articulate craftsmanship, which is an intimate part of her tradition.
Art forms are impressive and attract more attention toward them and match everlasting
mark of culture and tradition of a certain place.
These arts forms speak for themselves, and its the need of the hour to keep the
glory of past and encourage them. Especially in country like India, which is filled with these
cultural heritages and is passed on from generations for thousands of years? But in recent
times these seems to be lost. Hence, this project will act as platform for artisans to
showcase their talent.

This will also help them economically , eliminating the middle agencies facilitating the
artisans to sell their products directly to the customers.

Hypothesis

Kochi being the centrally located economic and financial capital city of Kerala, combining the
streams of art and business, the village throws up a comprehensive platform for exhibition,
sales and craft-making. The uniqueness of the craft village is that it is the only place where a
tourist can witness and learn in person the nuances of crafts-making and skills of the
traditional artisans across India.

Need for traditional handloom weavers and handicrafts

artisans village

The basic idea is that different craftsmen from all over the country should be given
an opportunity to display their products. This would also pave for a cultural
exchange among artisans.
The craft village is a cluster of skilled artisans a group that makes majestic craft
pieces and another group that performs the traditional art forms.
 Visitors to the Crafts village are encouraged to interact and learn from these talented
artisans.
With the rare combination of art and tourism, the village paves a platform for the
development of traditional artisans.
The whole traditional industry of Arts and Handicrafts is getting boosted with ample
opportunity for sale of their products and they are given brand protection as well.
The large number of art lovers and tourists can witness live display of craftsmanship.

Relevance of the Project.

The relevance of the project is analysed based on the following factors.
Traditional handlooms and handicrafts

Handlooms and handicrafts forms a valuable cultural trait of a society from the
beginning of a civilization.
The handicrafts of a society often become the chief means of livelihood.
Also fulfils their daily requirements and provides employment to the members of the
households of the society.
Hence it is relevant for the implementation of this Thesis Project.
The village as a setting for art and culture

At present, almost all the handicrafts of India is facing a severe crisis in terms of
survival since most of the craftsmen are shifting to other jobs to earn their livelihood
and the handicraft and other small scale industries has become a part time field of
activity.
This has happened due to the following facts:
Due to a lack of policy the craftsmen as well as the government have failed in terms
of marketability of all such handicraft items and developing it into a state of art and
small scale industries.
There is no coordination and holistic organizational set up available for the
craftsmen.
The connections between the rural and urban centres and the poor infrastructural
set up leave the customers with limited choice to explore all such diversified
handicraft items.
On the other hand, interest in ethnic products is growing day by day in the foreign
and Indian tourist sector.
Hence the handlooms & handicrafts development is necessary and has been selected as the
cornerstone of this Thesis project.

Site feasibility

Kochi is the centrally located city and the commercial hub in the state of Kerala.
 This place is steeped in the history and culture of all who have occupied it through
the ages. Its roots and essence are unique in its diversity.
One of the popular tourist destination centres in Kerala.
Kochi with its multi-cultural past and Kochi-Muziris biennale creates an inflow of
tourists across the world.
Thus raises the State income from tourism.
Location advantage - good connectivity and linkages. The city is well connected via
Air, Rail, water and Road way.
Good social, education & health facilities

Tourist potential
The traditional crafts of India cannot be left to die. Hence the tourism potential of the place
should be utilized to further the development of this dying craft in order to make the crafts
and the craftsmens community sustainable. Tourism should act as a magnet to generate a
market of wide range of customers with variety of taste in handlooms and handicrafts to
sustain these crafts.
As per the data from Tourism Department, 4,07,653 tourists arrived in Kochi during the
year 2016. This is more than 25 percent of the total tourist arrival in the state. The foreign
tourist arrival in Ernakulam in 2015 was 3,83,643. Across Kerala 10,38,419 arrived which was
higher than 2015 with 9,77,479.

Objectives
Create a wholesome experience for the tourists through providing them a feeling of
vernacular culture of the state.
Promote the rich ethnic inheritance of the city and develop Kochi as a hub of Indian
art and craft activity
Create a space and environment to preserve the traditional art and craft for the
tourists.
Attract more footfalls, encourage extended stays.
Promote the talents of local artists, artisans and craftsmen and weavers though
giving them a platform to exhibit their painting, art work and piece of craft via
exhibition, studio, open air theatres and stalls.
Encourage entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities for the locals.
Encourage and promote Private Sector Participation in the development of tourism
sector.
Methodology
Mode of research

From various government and non-government authorities.

References from library and Internet etc.
Interview with the weavers, craftsmen and artisans
Case studies

Data collection
Collection of architectural plans
Photographic documentation
Questionnaire survey
Analysis- area analysis, requirements analysis, anthropometrical analysis, visual
qualitative analysis
Program formulation

Area requirements
Site analysis

Brief study of city

History, culture, population, climate
Immediate surrounding
Access to site from the city
Existing structures
Concept

Initial thought
Derivation
implementation
Design

Scope and limitations

It is impossible to accommodate all of the handlooms and crafts in a single complex. Thus
taking this into account, the project basically comprises of only popular handlooms and
handicrafts in India with all the necessary facilities.