Published Online:December 2024
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Entrepreneurship Development
Product Type:Article
Product Code:ED021224
Author Name:Asha Sanath Kumar, Sreeleakha Prabhakaranand SaiGanesh Somasekaran
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Management
Download Format:PDF
Pages:23-43
Traditional handicrafts are vital to preserving ritualistic belief systems that promote their members’ wellbeing and honor the legacy of their ancestors. One such traditional handicraft is Karnataka’s ‘Kinhal’ crafts—popular wooden craft products. Lately, it is on the verge of dying. This qualitative research focuses on Kinhal craft’s essence, crafting procedure, legacy, and value. It proposes an entrepreneurship sustenance model, which explains the essential aspects that allow the craft to continue its legacy for generations. Using the sustenance model, the study recommends strategies to artisans and the government to promote traditional handicraft entrepreneurship and help revive the languishing Kinhal craft. The revival strategies can serve as a road map to restore this unique craft and also other endangered crafts. The study also offers valuable insights for artisan entrepreneurs and tourism professionals.
Handicrafts are an important part of the history, tradition, values, and heritage, representing the unique identity of India’s geographic landscape. Preserving cultural heritage is crucial for showcasing a nation’s legacy. The handicrafts market in developing countries like India and China is growing due to low investment requirements. There are many government and nongovernment supportive schemes available for the development and promotion of handicrafts. However, they are either not effective or do not reach most artisans; hence, more support is needed for improvement (Naik, 2022; and Majeed et al., 2023). The reality is that artisans are still facing survival challenges and issues, because the schemes have failed to acknowledge the skill and entrepreneurship requirements needed to utilize the vast cultural resources of Indian towns (Munjal, 2019).