#preservecraft

Emotional Opening

In a small Telangana village, the evening light turns the soil golden. A woman sits near her doorway, feet resting on the cool earth. Her hands move steadily, stitching a pattern she has known since childhood. She does not think about design or fashion. She thinks about home.

For her, this craft is not extra work. It is who she is.

Cultural & Historical Background

In Telangana, craft was never separate from life. What people wore, used, or gifted carried signs of community, belief, and history.

From Banjara embroidery to Ikat weaving, from Cheriyal paintings to Nirmal toys, every craft grew from local soil and shared memory. Communities expressed themselves through colour, form, and handwork.

Banjara embroidery, in particular, grew among a travelling people. Without permanent homes, their clothes became their identity. Bold colours marked courage. Mirrors reflected protection. Heavy stitches showed strength.

Over generations, these crafts became markers of belonging. They said, “This is where we come from.”

The Making Process (Simple & Poetic)

The work begins quietly. A cloth is spread, smoothed by hand.

Threads are chosen with care, each colour holding meaning. The needle moves slowly, guided by memory, not measurement.

Stitches grow firm and close, like roots holding the land. Mirrors are added gently, catching light and stories.

There is no rush. Only patience and rhythm.

Each piece carries time, breath, and attention.

Stories of the Craftsmen

Most keepers of this craft are women. Their days begin early and end late.

They cook, clean, care for families, and then sit to work. They learned by watching elders, correcting mistakes quietly.

No one gave them certificates. Their skill lives in their hands.

They may not speak much, but their work speaks clearly. There is dignity in their silence and strength in their continuity.

Current Struggles

Today, craft faces pressure from machines and fast markets. Handmade work is often undervalued.

Income is uncertain. Young people look elsewhere for stability.

Designs are copied, but names are forgotten. The craft survives, but the makers struggle.

Identity becomes fragile when livelihood is weak.

Govt Initiatives & Ground Reality

There are government efforts to support traditional crafts—training programs, cluster development, exhibitions.

Some artisans benefit. Many remain outside the system.

Paperwork is complex. Access is uneven. Support often reaches late.

Schemes help, but they cannot replace respect and fair value.

Why This Craft Matters Today

Craft carries identity in ways machines cannot. It holds memory, skill, and community.

It is sustainable, human, and rooted. It teaches patience in a hurried world.

When craft disappears, identity fades quietly.

Preserving it is not about nostalgia. It is about continuity.

Customer Perspective

When someone touches a handmade piece, they feel difference. The weight feels honest. The texture feels alive.

People often say it feels “real.” That reality comes from human effort and history.

Owning such a piece feels like holding a story, not just an object.

Call to Awareness (Not Selling)

Craft as identity deserves more than appreciation. It deserves understanding.

Respect the hands that shape it. Value the time it takes.

In Telangana, many artisans still stitch, carve, and weave—not to follow trends, but to remain themselves.

If we learn to see craft as identity, we help keep that identity alive—for them and for us.

To know more about this living heritage, visit: https://banjaraembroiderytg.com

Related Craft Links (Explore & Learn)

https://cheriyalscrollpainting.com

https://ikathnalgonda.com

https://lacbanglescharminar.com

https://cottondurrieswarangal.com

https://bathikpaintingsiddipet.com

https://zarizardosihyderabad.com

https://handembriderynagaram.com

https://handembriderynizamabad.com

https://bobbinlacestationghanpur.com

https://nirmaltoycrafts.com

Telangana, the youngest state in India, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and world-famous handicrafts. Its traditional arts include Cheriyal Paintings, Nirmal Toys, hand embroidery (Nagaram, Nizamabad), Bobbin Lace, Banjara Embroidery, Zari–Zardozi, cotton durries, lac bangles, Baithak paintings, Ikat, pearl jewellery, intricate stone carvings, and hand-printed cotton textiles, each deeply rooted in tradition and craftsmanship.

The Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), under the Ministry of Textiles, aims to holistically develop handicraft clusters across India, including Telangana.

Supported by: The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), the nodal agency for promoting and developing the Indian handicrafts sector, focused on artisan empowerment, market expansion, and sustainable livelihoods.

Executed by: The Andhra Pradesh Productivity Council (APPC), an autonomous non-profit organization established in 1958 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, implementing the project in Telangana through consultancy, micro-enterprise development, skill development, training, surveys, energy audits, and rural livelihood initiatives.