Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited in its endeavour to promote the welfare of artisans and to provide social security, implements various development schemes and programmes.
- Awards : Poompuhar recognizes and honors artisans through several prestigious awards. These awards include the Living Craft Treasure Award for 10 eminent artisans, Poompuhar State Award for 10 eminent artisans, Poompuhar District Craft Award for 85 artisans, Utility Based Handicrafts Award for 3 artisans, Handicrafts Export Award for 2 exporting artisans, Team Production Award for 3 teams and Gen-next Competition Award for 150 young artisans. Tamil Nadu takes pride in awarding the highest number of awards to artisans in the country each year.
- Common Facility Centers (CFC): TNHDC Ltd has established 14 CFCs in significant handicraft clusters across Tamil Nadu. These CFCs provide artisans with infrastructure, machinery and training facilities. They are equipped with modern machinery such as 4-axis machines, CNC machines, 3D printers, electric furnaces and wood carving machines. The CFCs enhance production capacity, support the creation of new designs and mitigate professional hazards. Out of which three CFCs specifically focus on reviving languishing crafts like Karukkuruchi clay potteries, Pathamadai Korai mat and Vikravandi Clay & Terracotta crafts.
- Distribution of Tool Kits : TNHDC Ltd distributes improved tool kits free of cost to artisans in various craft clusters. 79 These tool kits help to upgrade skills and enhance productivity.
- Training Schemes/Workshops:The Corporation conducts skill-upgradation training programs and workshops for artisans in different craft clusters across Tamil Nadu. These programs include integrated design and development workshops and craftsman skillupgradation programs. Artisans are trained in new designs, innovative techniques, and technology to improve the quality of their output.
- Urban Haats : Urban Haats are permanent marketing infrastructure located in tourist towns and metropolitan cities. They provide direct marketing facilities for handicrafts and handloom products created by artisans. Urban Haats enable artisans to sell their products directly to customers throughout the year, eliminating middlemen. These Haats also feature food courts, exhibitions and recreational facilities for tourists. Poompuhar has established Urban Haats in Kanyakumari 80 and Mamallapuram. The Kanyakumari Urban Haat has 50 shops, food court, dormitory, amphitheater, children's park and parking facilities. Similarly, the Mamallapuram Urban Haat has 50 shops, food court, dormitory for artisans, amphitheater, children's play area, parking facilities, and natural landscaping. Through these development schemes and programs, TNHDC Ltd aims to uplift artisans, promote their craftsmanship and ensure their overall well-being.
- Craft Tourism Village (Mamallapuram) : The Craft Tourism Village project aims to create awareness among tourists about Mamallapuram and promote its crafts. The project includes the renovation of craftsman houses with new front facades and display areas. The worksheds and shops are improved with the creation of new attractive features. The objective is to connect the surrounding villages with the tourist circuit at Mamallapuram, ensuring the sale of products and attracting more visitors. Under this scheme, the following works have been completed at a cost of Rs. 1.80 crore in Mamallapuram and its surrounding villages:
• In Karanai village, 26 artisan houses have been beautified by constructing walls and painting them with attractive colours.
Additionally, the construction of cement roads and drainage systems has been carried out.
• The renovation and development of artisan work sheds and display centres at Five Rathas street have been completed.
• A grand Stupa of Sculptures has been set up at the entrance of Mamallapuram. This exquisite stupa serves as a welcoming spot for visitors and tourists.
• Hoardings and signage have been erected at different tourist spots within the Craft Tourism Village to provide information and enhance the visitor experience.
- Craft Awareness Camps: Craft awareness camps are conducted at various clusters in Tamil Nadu to enable handicraft artisans to avail themselves of the social security schemes offered by the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Union Government. These camps disseminate information and provide guidance to artisans for their business upgradation and personal benefits.
The artisan awareness camps serve the following purposes:
• Awareness for enrollment/renewal of handicraft artisans under the Tamil Nadu Handicraft Workers Welfare Board.
• Awareness for enrollment of handicraft artisans under the e-Shram portal of the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• Awareness about welfare schemes offered by the "Tamil Nadu Handicraft Workers Welfare Board" for handicraft artisans.
• Awareness about welfare/development schemes offered by the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), including registration/ renewal of artisans under the "PEHCHAN" ID cards.
• Awareness about various awards, marketing assistance and artisan enrolment offered by TNHDC (Poompuhar) to artisans.
These initiatives aim to promote handicrafts, support artisans and enhance their socio-economic well-being in Tamil Nadu.
- Geographical Indication (GI Tag)]for Handicrafts: The Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a form of intellectual property protection that identifies and recognizes the unique qualities and characteristics of handicraft products originating from specific geographical region. The GI tag ensures that these products are protected from imitation and unauthorized use, while also promoting their cultural and traditional value.
In Tamil Nadu, the Geographical Indications Registry has issued GI tags to several handicraft products including:
1. Nachiarkoil Brass Lamps
2. Pathamadai Fine Mat
3. Toda Embroidery
4. Mamallapuram Stone Sculptures
5. Swamimalai Bronze Icons
6. Vadaseri Temple Jewellery
7. Thanjavur Art Plates
8. Thanjavur Painting
9. Thanjavur Dolls
10. Kallakurichi Wood Carving
11. Karuppur Kalamkari Painting
12. Thanjavur Pith Work
13. Arumbavur Wood Carving
14. Myladi Stone Carving
These GI tags provide legal protection to these handicraft products, preserve their traditional and cultural values and grant wider market access to the artisans producing them. Additionally, the Corporation has taken efforts towards obtaining Geographical Indication (GI) tag for 10 more handicraft products.
- Mamallapuram: World Stone Carving City : Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, has been recognized as a "World Stone Carving City" by the World Crafts Council (WCC). This prestigious recognition elevates Mamallapuram to International status and acknowledges its rich heritage and expertise in stone carving. The Crafts Council of India (CCI) and Poompuhar have played significant roles in facilitating this recognition.
