|
|
India : Ethnics blinded by flashy modern jewelry
May 1, 2007 |  |
 With the readymade jewelry rapidly gaining popularity, traditional crafts and ethnic ornaments of Orissa are losing shine.
Demand for modern styles is growing and contemporary jewelry is dominating the markets.
Statistics show that readymade creations from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Punjab accounts for nearly 90 percent the gold jewellery market, here.
State is expected to do trade of over 10 quintal of gold during peak seasons and nearly four quintals in the off-season, with Bhubaneswar and Cuttack leading the way.
Experts believe that such growth in contemporary jewelry is because it offers wide range of designs and cater to almost every taste. On the other hand, ethnic creations are time consuming and have restricted collection, which are acceptable to only a particular group of patrons.
Readymade jewelry is made in bulks and its availability is ample.
This shift of demand has left thousands of conventional goldsmiths unemployed. Infact, Cuttack alone has a population of around 10000 craftsmen but over 6500-7000 have locked up their businesses and moved to other trades.
Several associations and major players are urging the Government to take immediate steps so as to promote this unique craft and assist the poor goldsmiths.
| | |
|
|
|