Navaratri sees 30% rise in Kutch-Patan handicraft biz

The upcoming Navaratri festival has provided a boost to the businesses of women artisans of Kutch and Patan districts.

A major surge in demand from the metros, for traditional dresses with unique Kutchi embroidery, is likely to help the organised as well as un-organised handicraft sectors.

"Around 15,000 women artisans of Kutch and Patan districts are busy catering to the increased demand for traditional dresses with Kutchi embroidery. There is a 20-30 per cent increase in orders due to the Navaratri festival," coordinator of the Craft Trade Development Department of Bhuj-based NGO Craft Resource Centre (CRC) Pankaj Shah said. CRC serves as a link between retailers and Bhuj based NGOs working with handicrafts artisans.

"Around 6000 to 7000 women are in the organised sector in Gujarat while the rest of the women artisans interact directly with local retailers in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The annual business of these organised artisans touches Rs 5-6 crore. The un-organised sector does an equal amount of business a year," Shah said.

Assistant Manager of another Bhuj-based NGO 'Kasab' Punit Soni said, "The artisans get maximum business during this season. The prices of traditional garments like Rabari Kediya (traditional tops for men) and Kaapda (traditional backless tops for women) and Chunni as well as Khes (embroidered cloth worn around the neck) shoot up during this season. Cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai have been traditional markets for these garments but in the last few years the demand from other metros is also catching up."

Project director of SEWA's economic and rural development cell Reemaben Nanavati said, "Navaratri demand of traditional garments from metros like New Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore has gone up manifold. People buy these garments for their NRI relatives as Indian communities hold Navaratri celebrations in Britain, the US, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand."

'Banas Craft', a sister concern of SEWA works with 4,000 women artisans in Patan, Banaskantha and Kutch districts.

The total handicrafts market in Gujarat, including wooden and woven crafts, is around Rs 100 crore per annum. Of this, around 30 to 40 per cent share is from exports.