Indian craft must be part of the future, not Just heritage: Kaarigar Founder

Bengaluru: Indian craftsmanship must remain a living and economically sustainable part of contemporary life rather than being treated merely as a symbol of the country’s heritage, said Siddharth Sharma, founder of Kaarigar – The Indian Artisan.

In an interaction with mediapersons here on Tuesday Sharma said Kaarigar was founded in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic with the objective of supporting artisans whose livelihoods had been severely disrupted. What began as an effort to provide employment and economic support has since grown into a wider initiative aimed at taking India’s handloom and handicraft traditions to a larger audience.

“The pandemic made us realise that supporting artisans cannot simply be about selling their products. It has to be about creating a sustainable ecosystem in which their skills, dignity and livelihoods can continue to thrive,” Sharma said.

Kaarigar currently works with more than 2,500 artisans across India. According to Sharma, working closely with artisan communities has reinforced the importance of preserving traditional knowledge passed down through generations.

He said craftsmanship was much more than a technical skill, as every craft reflected the cultural memory, history and identity of a particular community. However, preservation should not mean keeping traditional crafts frozen in their original form.

“If the next generation of artisans cannot see a sustainable future in their craft, these traditions are ultimately at risk,” he said, stressing the need to create markets that allow artisans and their skills to flourish.

Kaarigar brings together fashion, home, art and handicrafts representing different parts of India. Sharma said its curation is guided by authenticity, craftsmanship and a strong sense of cultural identity.

He cited the diversity of Indian traditions, including Banarasi weaving, Ikat textiles, Dhokra sculpture, Bidriware and wood carving, and said the objective was to present these crafts in ways that allowed contemporary consumers to connect with them without diluting their traditional character.

“The future is not about choosing between tradition and modernity. It is about allowing tradition to evolve while retaining its soul,” he said.

Sharma also spoke about the growing relevance of handmade products among modern consumers. He said buyers were increasingly looking for products with character, meaning and individuality rather than simply purchasing items based on quantity.

According to him, traditional crafts can find new applications in contemporary fashion, home décor and interior design. The challenge, he said, was to reinterpret timeless craftsmanship for modern lifestyles while maintaining its authenticity.

On the concept of conscious luxury, Sharma said luxury should not be defined only by price or exclusivity. The time, skill, human effort and cultural history behind a handcrafted product should also determine its value.

He said sustainability should similarly be viewed beyond the materials used in a product. For artisan communities, sustainability meant ensuring that traditional skills provided a viable livelihood and could be passed on to future generations.

Sharma also highlighted the changing role of digital platforms in making Indian crafts accessible to consumers. While technology has enabled customers across India and abroad to discover regional crafts without travelling to their places of origin, he said physical retail remained important because handicrafts were inherently tactile.

“Digital and physical retail are complementary. Digital helps discovery and reach, while physical spaces allow consumers to experience the craft more intimately,” he said.

Looking ahead, Sharma said Indian craftsmanship had the potential to occupy a larger space in the global luxury market as consumers increasingly valued authenticity, provenance and individuality.

He said Kaarigar aimed to give Indian crafts greater visibility and contemporary relevance while ensuring sustainable opportunities for the artisans behind them.

“Our aspiration is to make Indian craft not just something that belongs to our heritage, but something that belongs to our future,” Sharma said.