Citation :

Tapan Sahoo, Manosmita Mahapatra, "Women, Livelihood Practices and Traditional Craftsmanship: A Gendered Perspective," International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 33-38, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V13I2P104

Abstract

Handicrafts have a great potential to provide empowerment opportunities to millions of artisans spread across the length and breadth of the country, as most of the artisans have inherited the art to be converted into an occupation. However, such products are in demand everywhere. The sociological dimensions of handicraft provide insights into how these crafts influence and are influenced by society, tradition, culture, and modernization. Handicrafts are deeply embedded in the culture of India and Odisha. They symbolize the identity of communities, representing their heritage, beliefs, and traditions. Puri is known as Jagannath Dham of Odisha, and most of the people believe in Lord Jagannath. So there are various kinds of Artisans doing different works. So Puri is known as the Handicraft Capital of Odisha. Basically, the researcher has taken Raghurajpur Village of Puri District, where the researcher conducted the research. Most of the people depend upon handicraft work for their livelihood. In the present study, the researcher has taken 107 respondents from Ragurajpur Village of Puri District and focused on understanding handicraft as their livelihood. The researcher found that most of the SC & ST female workers are engaged in this work. Because their family income is not sufficient for them, they are engaged in handicrafts and do this work at home. They also face various problems like headache, joint pain, high blood pressure, and eye problems. They mostly belong to the rural area, and there is no technology to be used in their work in the present era. They face various problems in their daily life, such as a shortage of labor power, difficulties in selling their products, health problems, etc. They do not get the proper value of the products due to the lack of proper marketing facilities. As a result, the intermediaries enjoy the value of the products. They are highly qualified, and the rich artisan only gets facilities, but the small artisan does not get those facilities. Because they have no other source of income to maintain their family, this becomes their only source of livelihood.

Keywords

Handicrafts, Livelihood, Women Empowerment, Craftsmanship. Artisans.

References

1. M.P. Agasty, and J. Senapati, “Handicrafts Industries in Odisha: Problems and Prospects,” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 517-521, 2015.
   [Google Scholar]
2. Ansuman Das, and Tattwamasi Paltasingh, “Weaving as a Livelihood Option: A Study of the Bhulia Weaver Community in Odisha, India,” Textile, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 180-200, 2023.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
3. Manjusmita Dash, and Bidhu Bhusan Mishra, “Problems of Handicraft Artisans: An Overview,” International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 29-38, 2021.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
4. Devid Deshmukh et al., “Sustainability and Livelihood of Small-Scale Handicraft Producers in India: A SWOT Analysis of Dhokra Artisans,” Social Sciences & Humanities Open, vol. 10, pp. 1-11, 2024.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
5. Sanchay Gupta, “A Study on the Challenges Faced by Indian Artisans,” International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 1550-1556, 2025.
   [CrossRef] [Publisher Link]
6. Jyotirmayee Acharya, “Women’s Well-Being and Gendered of Labor and Workspace in Traditional Craft Productions in Orissa, India,” Gender, Technology and Development, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 333-357, 2003.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
7. Pallavi Kanungo, Narayan Sethi, and Pritam Biswal, “A Policy Framework for the Creative Pattachitra Artisans at the Crossroad of Financial Scarcity and Changing Trends,” Creativity Studies, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 114-135, 2020.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
8. Pallavi Kanungo, Narayan Sethi, and Pritam Biswal, “Socio-Economic Condition, Welfare Schemes, and Occupational Structure of ‘Pattachitra’ Artisans in Odisha, India,” Creative Industries Journal, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 81-106, 2020.
   [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
9. Madhu Rai, “Market Opportunities in Indian Handicraft Industry,” International Journal of Research in Social Science, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 616-623, 2017.
   [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
10. Ashish Kumar Meher et al., “Multi-dimensional Poverty among the Handloom Weavers in Odisha, India: Prevalence and Determinants,” Indian Journal of Human Development, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 340-355, 2024.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
11. Sanjay Mohapatra, and Nilay Raha, “Poverty Allievation of Weavers through Sustainable Low Cost Technology Based Solution,” International Journal of Enerprise Netwprk Management, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 281-303, 2012.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
12. Banshidhar Naik, and Snighdharani Panda, “Empowerment of Tribal Communities through Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A Path to Sustainable Progress,” International Journal of Research and Review, vol. 10, no. 11, pp. 334-343, 2023.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
13. Neysa Vas, Kalpana Munjal, and Twinkle Rastog. (2023). “Crafting Continuity: A Comprehensive Exploration of Traditional Artisans’ Experiences, Challenges, and Adaptations in Diverse Indian Landscapes,” Journal for ReAttach Therapy and Developmental Diversities, vol. 6, no. 11, pp. 1423-1429, 2023.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
14. Nilanjan Ray, “Decoding Artisans, Tradition, and Livelihood: Tradition Meets Modernity in Pingla, West Bengal, India,” Journal of Academic Advancement, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1-16, 2025.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
15. Mohsin Shafi et al., “Factors Influencing the Consumer Acceptance of Innovation in Handicraft Products,” SAGE Open, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1-17, 2021.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
16. Anu Sharma, Ashima Tiwari, and Neha Singh, “Social Platform: Key to Market Innovation for Indian Artisans—A Case Study of Chanderi Cluster,” Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 84-96, 2024.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
17. Singh Sukhapal, “Marketing of Rural Non-Farm Products: A Case Study of Handicrafts,” Paradigm, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 122-128, 2000.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
18. Singh Sukhpal, “Promoting Rural Non-Farm Employment: A Case Study of Handicrafts Sector in Gujarat,” Paradigm, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 77-84, 2005.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
19. Clare Wilkinson-Weber, “Women, Work and the Imagination of Craft in South Asia,” Contemporary South Asia, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 287-306, 2004.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
20. Uma Shankar Yadav et al., “Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation, Digital Technology, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence and AI Accounting Tools on the Quality of Financial Reporting among Women Artisans as Entrepreneurs in the Handicraft Industry,” Discover Sustainability, vol. 6, pp. 2-34, 2025.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]