Arts and crafts of Karnataka always have been an inseparable part of people's life. Karnataka is among those states that still employ traditional methods for producing their arts and crafts. In yesteryears as well, Karnataka has been the hallmark of excellence in craftsmanship.
Art and Crafts of Karnataka are the wonders created by the silken touches of craftsmanship. What make this industry of Karnataka stand out are the unique and traditional methods that are still used to create items like Mysore paintings, Mysore silk and stone carvings.
The vast range of the State’s arts and crafts that now embellish royal homes of the past, elite bungalows, and even ordinary households, bear testimony to the skill, aesthetic sensibilities, and decorative abilities of the craftsperson. In fact, the traditional art has received royal patronage since times immemorial and the governments have not ignored the sector in order to protect the poor artisans and thereby the art that represents the culture.
Many craft traditions in Karnataka have been handed down from parents to children and this continuity has helped to support a vast variety of handicrafts with their high degrees of perfection.
The government has set up many agencies and design centres to encourage craft families to continue making handicrafts and also help them to market their ware. This has helped keep many craft traditions alive so that their practitioners can cater not only to the local population but also to the many tourists who visit Karnataka.
Karnataka has come to occupy pride of place in the field of art and handicrafts. The more popular traditional arts are Woodcarving, Metal ware, Stone carving, Doll making, Bidri ware, Folk art and crafts, Mysore style of Paintings and Incense sticks, Cones and Sprays, Sandal Wood Crafted Carved Figures, Photo Frames, Carpets, Furniture, Paper Crafts, Textiles, and Terracotta's ethnic artifacts in the form of pots, vases and figurines.
Like most traditional arts, a major factor affecting the handicrafts industry is the artisans’ resistance to change and reluctance to adapt to new designs which are favored in international markets. This is compounded by very limited information and exposure to contemporary tastes of buyers. Another factor has been that the artisans are unable to reach the market despite mastery on intricate skills owing to the absence of a formal reliable market place where they can directly interact with end buyers without middlemen. This lack of exposure and market accessibility has compelled both artisans and buyers stick to traditional designs for which the demand is declining.
With this background, JSS Mysore Urban Haat was established in the year 2007 under the scheme of public private partnership model. The Ministry of Textiles Govt. of India, through Department of Handicrafts & Handlooms provided 70% share as per the scheme. The balance has been brought by Department of Industry and Commerce Govt. of Karnataka (15%) and JSS Mahavidhyapeeta (15%). The project has created a beautiful campus comprising of 36 independent stalls one exhibition hall, a food court and an administration block having facility for training and office space. The total cost of the building is Rs.275.8 Lakhs. The additional funding required for this has been brought in by JSS Mahavidhyapeeta.
