Indian artisans are resiliently fighting back COVID-19 crisis

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Indian artisans are resiliently fighting back
COVID-19 crisis
https//akkaara.com.au/
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(No Transcript)
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• In the wake of the COVID-19 situation, almost all
  industries stand struck. One such industry that
  is worst struck by the pandemic is the
  Handicrafts and Handloom sector in India. These
  are testing times. It goes beyond the fear of a
  possible mortal disease. The bigger fear is the
  lockdown of all social and economic activities.
  This is especially true for the craftspeople,
  whose lives are dependent on daily production and
  sales. Without any Melas or orders sales have
  come to an absolute halt. Thousands of artisan
  communities across India are in a deep crisis,
  and it has left the artisan families wondering
  what will get them first the virus or hunger?

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• How are Indian artisans weathering the storm of
  the COVID-19 crisis?
• Every industry we can think of is adapting to
  this new normal of staying home, staying safe.
  Global brands like Louis Vuitton have started
  producing face masks instead of luxury baggage!
  One thing is clear if you want to stay afloat
  during this time, you have got to adapt. Sadly,
  craft and handloom are not essential! When the
  purchasing power of consumers diminishes, crafts
  and art pieces are some of the first things one
  will strike off their list. Artisans are early to
  have realized this, and they are slowly making a
  shift towards making functional products of daily
  use, instead of art pieces with the artistic
  value alone.

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• This transition is going to take some time to
  happen in every artisans family, but were sure
  theyre getting there. The products you see today
  when you search for handicraft items for home
  decoration are very different than what they used
  to be. At Akkaara, were trying our best to help
  our artisans community to stand strong during
  these testing times. We believe that our artisans
  dont need charity, but just support. Were here
  to support them by selling the new line of
  handicraft items online, and we hope our
  customers and readers will support them too.
• Art is communication, not just expression
• Art is the best form of expression. The changing
  times have proved that art is communication too.
  Artisans have turned their passion for expression
  and creation into communication, trying to create
  awareness amongst the masses.

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• Art painters have now taken down to creating
  beautiful art posters that communicate an
  awareness message. Inspired by the WHO health
  directives, Kalyan Joshi, a local Phad painter,
  has created a series of beautiful art posters
  promoting awareness about the pandemic, urging
  people to wear masks, and stay home, stay safe.
• Different products for different segmented
  markets
• Just like any other industry, the artisans
  community to are now focusing on producing
  different products targeted at different
  segmented markets. While these are not the best
  times to be making or selling art pieces of high
  artistic value, artisans are planning their
  re-entry into the markets by changing what they
  make and sell.

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• While some are resorting to making one-of-a-kind
  standalone art pieces for high-end buyers, some
  are making pieces for day-to-day usages like
  designed clay pots, chai kullads, and more. Women
  who made fine embroidery, and colorful bandhani,
  are now learning the art of making masks.
• You sell what customers need this is the
  general rule of thumb, and artisans are adapting
  to this new normal. Check out the new line of
  handicraft items for home decoration online at
  Akkaara, and extend your support to our community
  of artisans.

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THANK YOU