Art and Culture Class 12: Crafts in the past

A craftsperson has an important role in society as a creator, a problem solver, and an innovator. They elevate the crafts in the past concept to a whole new level. Past reigns have had a huge impact on craftspersons’ relationships in our country. According to Art and Culture Class 12: Crafts in the past, the relationship between client and craftsperson is important.

Relationship between Client and Craftsperson:

A close exchange between the client and the craftsperson is vital for the end product to be appropriate.

• The client must inspire the craftsperson to produce, innovate and create new and exciting objects all the time

• A person who innovates in designing a computer application according to the customers’ needs ultimately leads to a breakthrough in technology also

Craft for problem-solving:

India has an ancient tradition of crafts. It always had creative and innovative people who found interesting ways of solving problems. For instance,

1. Living Bridges of Meghalaya: In Meghalaya, the climate is hot and humid, so the metal or wood bridges would not suffice.
2. People learnt to train the aerial roots of the Ficus elastica tree to form a living bridge across the river.
3. This natural bridge would not decay or deteriorate in the humid rainy climate.
4. The Matkas of Kutch: In ancient times, the real problem was carrying or transporting water to their doorstep. The source of water was wells, which were too far from everyone’s houses. This problem was creatively solved over time in Kutch using matkas (water pots) to fit into one another. These matkas were balanced over women’s heads, making it easy for them to carry their hands-free.  

Craft Specialisation:

Artisans had emerged as a specific social group only when people began to settle and cultivate the land, while some specialised in different crafts. In India, handicrafts were an alternate source of income, providing the backbone of the economy for many communities. Artisans lay the path for craft specialisation and make them elevated to the next level. 

Craft communities and Social needs:

1. From Indus valley civilization to modern times, specialised crafts communities continue to meet our social needs and requirements.
2. The crafts’ community worked out simple solutions to take wastewater out of the houses by creating the underground drainage system 
3. Manufacturing hubs of craft since ancient times: The production of textiles was concerted in three major areas:
4. Western India: Rajasthan, Sindh, and Gujarat
5. South India: Particularly Coromandel Coast
6. Eastern India: Bengal, Orissa, and Gangetic plain.

1. Rural Craftsperson’s specialisation: The rural craftsperson plans their specialised crafts according to the local agricultural calendar, like making the containers with straw, reed, or clay to hold agricultural produce.

Shrenis or Trade Guilds:

These were professional bodies of artisans who came together to control quality production, create a sound business ethically and maintain high standards of craftsmanship. 

• Over a period, Shrenis came together in a joint organisation called the Nigama.

• The cooperatives that the Government facilitates can be viewed as the modern avatar of artisans’ guilds.

The social dimension of Craft production:

Types of artisans: The Arthashastra of Kautilya describe two types of artisans:

Master craftsperson: Those who employed several artisans

Artisans: Those who worked in their workshops

Service relationships and evolution of a Jajmani system: Artisans were remunerated either in kind or in cash

Especially in areas where the use of money had not been introduced

 The Jajmani system likely evolved from these service relations

Jajmani system

• In the Jajmani system, the Jajman or patrons were dependent on purjans viz. cultivators, craftsmen, barbers etc., to provide essential goods in return for a fixed payment in kind
• Since most upper-class people owned land, the Jajmani system provided them with a stable supply of labour

The Mughals and the Art:

• • Mughals depended largely on the skills of local people and their products, the Mughals and the art have supported the crafts valuation in our country
  • The Indian factor became strong in Mughal art. Emperor Akbar was one of the particularly keen patrons in those days
  • The Emperor maintained skilled craftsmen from all over India, says The Ain-i-Akbari
  • One of the sought-after acts of the high Mughal society were the Fine handicrafts
  • The State maintained Karkhanas (factories)

• The eventual downswing of the Mughal Empire led to a decline of patronage for the highly exclusive arts of meenakari, shawl-making, jewellery, stone-carving, luxury textiles, and miniature

Types of Traditional Crafts

Wood Carving

Ancient Indian texts provide knowledgeable woodworking skills, such as guidance on how to chop the tree to appease tree spirits and the dimensions for a certain sculpture.

Stone Masonry

From the creation of simple tiny stone utensils to massive temple projects, the Indian subcontinent has a long history of stone construction.

Meta Work

Copper and bronze works had advanced to the level of specialised knowledge, according to literary literature, particularly the Rig Veda (c. 1000 BC), and the artisans engaged were highly esteemed members of society.

Pottery

Pottery is the most pleasurable of all the arts. Since the time of the Harappan Civilisation, India has had a heritage of handcrafted pottery.

Conclusion

The diversity of Indian crafts reflects connections with social, economical, cultural, and religious influences, resulting in numerous colours and shades of meaning. The region’s temple architecture, as well as the numerous home objects produced with inventiveness from local materials and talents, reflect the traditional crafts.