Decline in the Handloom Cottage Industry: A Case Study of Handloom Bunkars of Varanasi

Abstract
When we automate then we modernise it and when we automate human life then we primitivise it
(Eric Hoffer, 1951). Banarasi saree is not just a cloth it is an alive proof of India's handloom.
Banarasi sarees are beautifully designed by the use of gold and silver zari and also recognised as the
queen of all the sarees. It is evident from the available fact that even during the Vedic period there
was wide use of sarees for different purposes. These handloom products reach to its peak with the
coming of Mughals in India. Due to the long history of colonization handloom products lost its
glory during the British regime. With the main objective of analysing and identifying the factors
responsible for the continuous decline in the living condition of handloom bunkars, the study has
been undertaken. Based on the global experience, observation, analysis about the handloom
bunkars and local perceptions about them a household survey was conducted in December 2016 in
Bazarhdeeha handloom cluster of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Primary data has been tabulated and
appropriate statistical method has been used. Arc GIS 10.3 version software has been used to
digitize Varanasi map. It was noted that certain government schemes have an adverse impact on the
livelihood of bunkars. Though the Geographical Indication tag has been given to Banarasi saree in
2009 but, it didn't provide any kind of relief to the handloom bunkars of Varanasi. It was also
suggested that the strong political will help in the revival of handloom cottage industry of Varanasi.
Apart from this linking of handloom cottage industry with the online will result in the
comprehensive growth of this sector.