Introduction
From the dusty lanes of Kutch to the remote villages in Odisha, art keeps getting revived through old practices like using natural colors for dyes, discarded banana fibers are used as sustainable works of art and a quiet revolution is taking place. It is a marriage of ancient intelligence and new-age innovation. It is as if the cultural Indian artistry is being reborn. People are beginning to understand the necessity of mindful consumption because there is no alternative planet we can go to and preserving the environment is the first priority.
Advancement of Technology
Artisans can showcase their art pieces on technological shelves with a singular click of a button, they no longer have to constantly wait for exhibitions and fairs to carry all their pieces. The internet has become a colorful collection of clothes, jewelry and paintings. The best part about electronic commerce is that artisans can write the descriptions of their works themselves. They can precisely add all the smallest details about their work like what is it inspired by, what are the materials of the fabric and the story behind it. Nowadays customers prefer to invest in purpose. For example, Peepul Tree is a company which allows its artists to create and upload videos of the process which helps them create artistry so that the customers themselves can witness the hard work that is done.
There is a new concept of Augmented Reality which can showcase how a wall painting that you want to buy will look in your living room or wherever you wish to place it. Many jewelry selling apps have a virtual try-on feature which will help you understand how a particular pair of earrings would suit your face. You can similarly check on apps like Nykaa which shade of lipstick would look the best on your skin tone and enhance your features.
Eco Friendly Indian Work
It almost seems as if the world is in love with Indian hands. It is predicted that by 2030, the handicrafts that are created in India would touch nearly one trillion dollars. In 2025 alone, there has been a fifteen percent increase in exports. In the 2023 show of Dior, it was showcased that the models were wearing kantha-stitched jackets, Bandhani scarves and Kolhapuri slippers. Indian art is finally getting the appreciation that it deserves. It has its own place in international runways.
Things that were earlier considered to be of no use such as sabai grass from West Bengal or banana fiber from Tamil Nadu or jute from Assam or terracotta from Rajasthan are now being appreciated as ecologically friendly designs. There are brands like Phool and Nirmaya have started creating art that is sustainable in nature. There was a time when after praying, the temple flowers were discarded in rivers and they polluted the water. Now, they are being upcycled and used as incense, organic pigments and some have even been turned to vegan leather, more commonly called ‘fleather’!
In Bengaluru, there is a company called Bluecat Paper which takes coffee husk, rags of cotton, flax and other kinds of agricultural waste. Then the craft extremely beautiful stationery out of it. In Dharavi, the craftsmen are creating woven mats and bags with the plastic that was discarded as waste.
Conclusion
In the next five years, it is hoped that the tribal women have e-stores where they can ship their sculptures to foreign lands. People from foreign lands can easily decorate their houses with paintings from India without any travelling. ‘Made in India’ is a tag which will always showcase pride.
Author
Shreeja Mukherjee