India’s Hidden Powerhouses of Craft and Culture

At Industree Foundation, our co-founder Neelam’s words guide everything we do: ‘Peace comes from working with our hands and by working with and for the people.’ With this belief at the core, we are committed to working with intersectional communities. We partner with rural women, small and marginal farmers, and vulnerable communities across India, equipping them with the tools, skills, and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods and shape a future with dignity and independence.

In Odisha, several tribal and Dalit communities depend on agriculture and forest-based livelihoods for sustenance. The Kandha (Kondh) tribe, one of the most dominant tribal communities in Kandhamal, Nayagarh, and Koraput districts, primarily engages in agriculture, cultivating paddy, ragi, turmeric, and ginger. They also collect forest honey, broom grass, Jhuna, Kendu leaves, and Mahua for sale. Stitching and selling Sal and Siali leaves is an age-old practice among them to meet daily needs. Other tribal groups, including Gadaba, Paroja, Bhumia, and Dharua in Koraput, also rely on similar agricultural activities and forest produce collection. Additionally, the Dharua community specialises in bamboo weaving and crafting various products for livelihood. The Pano (Dalit) community, the second-largest group in Kandhamal and Nayagarh, as well as the Dom (Dalit) community in Koraput, live alongside the tribals and engage in similar livelihood activities. However, they typically own less land than tribal groups.

In Nayagarh, an OBC community coexists with STs and SCs, practicing indigenous creative production such as pottery and blacksmithing. They also engage in minor trading with local communities. Overall, these communities heavily depend on forest resources for their economic survival, utilizing traditional skills and sustainable practices passed down through generations. The Mahadev Koli, Warli, Hindu Konkana, Dhangar, and Medharu communities are significant tribal groups in Maharashtra and Karnataka, each with deep-rooted traditions and livelihoods shaped by their environments. 

The Mahadev Koli and Warli tribes are primarily engaged in agriculture, relying on crops like paddy, pulses, millets, and seasonal vegetables. The Mahadev Koli community, concentrated in the Junnar and Peint regions, also depends on non-timber forest products (NTFP) and animal husbandry. Similarly, the Warli community, mainly in Thane, Palghar, and Nashik districts, sustains itself through farming, though they are also known for their Warli paintings. However, due to a lack of market linkage, this art remains confined to home decorations rather than commercial production.

The Hindu Konkana community, residing in the Konkan region and the Sahyadri hills, has traditionally relied on fishing in coastal areas. However, today, agriculture and manual labour form their primary livelihoods. The Dhangar community, once nomadic shepherds and pastoralists, has gradually settled, particularly in Bhor (Pune) and Lohara (Dharashiv). Though their traditional practice of migrating with cattle, sheep, and goats has diminished, they continue to depend on animal husbandry and farming.

The Medharu, or Medara, community in Karnataka specialises in bamboo crafts, having passed down their weaving skills for generations. While some families practice small-scale farming, their primary livelihood remains the crafting of functional and decorative bamboo products. Found in districts like Chikmagalur, Mysuru, and Hassan, they play a crucial role in preserving traditional bamboo craftsmanship.

Despite their diverse cultural identities, these communities share a deep connection to nature, sustaining themselves through agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, and traditional crafts. Their resilience in adapting to changing economic and environmental landscapes while preserving their heritage remains remarkable.

The fishing community in Tharangambadi and Chinnagudi, located in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, near the sea, has been dependent on fishing for survival for over a century.

Due to a lack of education, the older generation has focused on fishing, which does not provide a steady income. As a result, many younger individuals have sought employment abroad, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Dubai, in the construction and fishing industries. Recently, however, there has been a shift towards valuing education, and the younger generation is now working for reputable organizations across the country. Despite this progress, the community remains deeply tied to the traditional “THALA KIRAMAM” Panchayat system for resolving internal conflicts.