State Awards for Craftmen of Kerala

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the scheme of State Awards is to give recognition to Master Craftsmen who have made outstanding contribution in terms of excellence of craftsmanship and development of crafts.  The award is to serve an incentive to such craftsman to continue their pursuit as well as an example to others who may strive to receive the same.

SCOPE

The Sate award shall be open to all craftsmen residing in Kerala and shall be made on the basis of State Level selection. The Awards shall be given to the Crafts for their outstanding work in the following:

Major Crafts

1.   Wood craft                         

2.   Natural fiber                                                                                                                                            

3.   Cane and Bamboo

4.   Lace and Embroidery    

5.   Metal ware 

6.   Coconut shell based handicrafts                                                                                                                                            

7.   Miscellaneous crafts (items not included above)

ELIGIBILITY

1.All Craftsmen residing in Kerala for more than 10 years are eligible to compete for the State Award.                                                                                                        2.A Craft person shall be eligible for a state award or state Merit Certificate in a given craft only once in his/her life time.                                                              3.Any Craft person who has previously been won the state award/awarded to Merit Certificate shall not be eligible for being awarded another award/State Merit Certificate in the same craft. However the existing Merit Certificate holders shall be eligible for State Award.

THE AWARD CONTENTS

There shall be 7 State Awards and 7 State Level Merit Certificates.  Each State Awards shall consists of a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/-, a brass plaque and an angavastram.  Each State Level Merit Certificate shall consist of besides a certificate, a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/-

The award for the year 2023 was distributed by the Honourable minister for Industries, Law and Coir on 06-Feb-2025

The activities included in this scheme are development of Bamboo related industries under the oversight of state bamboo mission and Kerala State bamboo development corporation.

The components of the scheme are

1.Conducting skill upgradation training programmes for artisans and craftsmen in making diversified and value added products of bamboo and for increasing the sales of bamboo products

2.Promotional activities in Bamboo Sector including participation in national/international events

3.Development of Bamboo-Supply chain and Setting up of Treatment Plants and Distribution centres

4.Training through need assessment

5.Setting up of CFCs

6.Organise “Kerala Bamboo fest” with international participation

7.Hand Holding of Innovation Centre.

In the Beedi Industrial sector Kerala Dinesh beedi, the central co-operative society has a major role. Since the beedi production and consumption is not being promoted a large number of traditional beedi workers are out of the job and they need to be rehabilitated.

Kerala Dinesh beedi is engaged in activities to diversify their product line from beedi to other areas such as Coconut products,Cashew products,Food processing,Garments,Curry powder,Computer training courses etc by their brand name. 

Handicraft

Handicrafts sector in the country provides employment to as many as 35 lakhs people and earns foreign exchange to the tune about Rs.36,000 Crores annually. The sector plays a crucial role in rural economy of the country. The Handicrafts sector reflects the cultural richness and the products display the diversity and traditions that exist in the country. The Industry faces a lot of challenges on account of poor productivity, poor wages, and drudgery in work places etc.The younger generation is not enthusiastic about continuing in the traditional sector. Realising the potential of this sector central and state Government have come up with a number of schemes for the development of sector such as cluster approach for development, Advanced tools and Craft development centres, Skill development training, Design and product development, Creation of marketing infrastructure, Craft tourism initiatives etc. In the state of Kerala it is estimated that there are about 1.7 lakh handicrafts artisans actively engaged in the sector. There are 32 different crafts in Kerala of which ivory carving, wood and horn carving, bell metal casting hand embroidery, coconut shell carving are important commercial items. The schemes implemented by the Government of Kerala intend to eliminate middlemen, improve the skill of artisans, productivity, increase market opportunities and strengthen Co-operatives.

The Major Schemes envisage under Handicrafts Sector is detailed below

I. Handicrafts Sector

• Assistance to Apex Organisations in Handicrafts sector

      The scheme is provided for extending assistance to the following major public sector and apex organisation under handicrafts sector  based on definite feasible project proposals

             1.   Handicrafts Apex Co-operative Society (SURABHI)

             2.   Kerala State Bamboo Development Corporation (KSBC)

             3.   Kerala Artisans Development Corporation (KADCO)

             4.   Handicrafts Development Corporation (HDCK)

             5.   Kerala State Palmyrah Products Development Welfare Corporation Ltd.(KELPALM)

• Establishment of Common Facilities Service Centre for Handicrafts Sector

        In handicrafts sector a major problem faced by the artisans is the non availability of a common centre at where they could get the  services and machineries in an affordable rate. Establishment of Common facilities Service Centre for Handicraft Products in selected crafts/areas is essential for giving training in handicrafts, quality testing, machine based job work dyeing, polishing and printing works; the scheme is intended for development and promotion of new designs, Establishment and Modernization of Common Facility Service Centres of Surabhi, KADCO, HDCK & KELPALM.

• Assistance Scheme for Handicrafts Artisans (ASHA)
  

• Employment Generation in traditional sector

  The scheme is for implementing the recommendations of mission on Employment Generation approved by the Government. The amount shall be used for activities/programmes in traditional sector.

• State Awards for Craftsmen of Kerala

• Cluster Development & Establishment of CFSC for Handicrafts Sector