Teaching Craft Heritage in Schools: Introductory Essay

Crafts, Handlooms, Art, Editorial, Education/Learning

Teaching Craft Heritage in Schools: Introductory Essay

Ratnakar, Pooja

Issue #008, 2021                                                                              ISSN: 2581- 9410 Traditional craftsmanship is perhaps the most tangible manifestation of intangible cultural heritage. And it finds many varied ways to manifest in our daily lives – in the form of tools, decorative art, ritual objects, musical instruments, toys, household utensils, jewellery, costumes, textiles, traditional architecture and much more. Globalization, industrialization and consumerism has posed significant threat to the survival of these traditional forms of craftsmanship, like other forms of intangible cultural heritage. Over the past centuries, much of our Cultural Heritage has been irretrievably lost. We have witnessed and continue to witness the destruction and deterioration of these irreplaceable treasures. Other underlying causes of this prolonged and continuing tragedy are ignorance, indifference, lack of care and lack of appreciation. Since a significant part of our unique cultural heritage is retained in handicrafts, architecture and traditions, this heritage needs to be identified and protected or it may disappear forever. Thus, several cultural heritage experts have highlighted the need for safeguarding our traditional crafts not only to keep the community’s identity but also to give economic advantage and other values. Let’s understand what are these other values associated with Craft Heritage. It expresses a sense of community and ethnicity. Because craft is an expression of culture which conveys the spirit of the p...
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