SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS OF HANDICRAFT ARTISANS: A CASE STUDY ON AWARDEE ARTISANS OF MANIPUR

Handicraft in Manipur is an age old traditions. The artisans in this unorganised sector are very creative and artistic in their outlook and thinking. The primitive simplicity, folk beauty, imaginative design and motif and various others hand crafted works on the product find a place in the national and overseas market and the demand of the product is very high. The present study is focused about the existing livelihood pattern and socio-economic status of the artisans. The livelihood pattern of the artisans depends upon crafts making. The monthly income of the artisans varies on the type of craft they crafted. Artistic textile, in particular is profitable and are in high demand and the artisans are living a good life while others crafts such as Hand embroidery (Sammi Lammi), Dolls and toys making, the demand and profit is not that level and the standard of living is poor.