Branding Tribal's Handicrafts with Reference to Bastar: Issues&Challenges

Baster, socially and economically backward tribal district of Chhtishgarha has rich heritage of tribal arts and manufacturing skills of exquisite metal textile and wood crafts. The crafts developed over the centuries in the natural environment integrated with tribal life style. They make utilitarian and ritualistic objects that are used during festivals and religious ceremonies. Baster handicraft has been suffering from a number of constraints. Though most of them are developmental issues such as lack of infrastructure, transportation, logistics and electricity, market development of Baster handicraft needs branding. Otherwise such exquisite artifacts is not getting due recognition. This research the research aims at helping Bastar's tribal community s revitalize & promote their craft using new techniques to make and market their famous works of art. It could also act as a social intrusion in the Naxalite-affected region. The idea is to bring this backward region on the handicrafts exports map and make it an engine for development, so that the benefit goes to the artisan's families directly instead of the middlemen. This paper after general overview of Baster, economic backwardness has emphasized the need of developing Baster artifact band identity so that this age old art craft gets due recognition and market share.