IGNCA Unveils Landmark Book on India’s Craft Heritage and Creative Economy
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
New Delhi, July 8, 2026: The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has launched Craft Sustenance: Traditions, Transitions & Transformations, a comprehensive publication that explores India’s vibrant craft traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and the growing significance of the creative economy. The book launch was organised by the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design (ABCD), an initiative of IGNCA dedicated to strengthening India’s cultural and creative industries.
The event was attended by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA; Ms. Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture; and Shri Shah Faesal, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, along with scholars, designers, artisans, and cultural practitioners.
Craft Traditions Can Drive India’s Creative Economy
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi highlighted the immense potential of Indian crafts as a major contributor to the country’s creative economy. He said that strategic collaboration, thoughtful design interventions, and stronger market linkages could transform traditional crafts into sustainable economic assets.
He also stressed the need to create an ecosystem that encourages social awareness, reconnects younger generations with India’s rich artistic heritage, and strengthens cultural confidence by promoting a decolonised understanding of Indian traditions.
Creative Economy Holds Enormous Growth Potential
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Lily Pandeya described the creative economy as one of India’s most promising sectors with significant potential to contribute to the nation’s GDP. She underlined the importance of developing a comprehensive Culture Satellite Account to accurately assess the economic value generated by cultural industries.
She noted that the Ministry of Culture is working towards creating policies that encourage innovation, investment, and public participation in the cultural sector, while enhancing awareness about the economic value of India’s creative resources.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Cultural Industries
Shri Shah Faesal emphasised the vast opportunities available across performing arts, visual arts, crafts, museums, and other cultural sectors. He called for innovative entrepreneurial models that move beyond traditional grant-based support and instead focus on building sustainable cultural enterprises capable of generating long-term economic value.
A Comprehensive Study of India’s Living Craft Heritage
Published by IGNCA and edited by Supriya Kansal, with a foreword by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, the volume presents Indian crafts as living knowledge systems that embody centuries of indigenous wisdom, ecological understanding, traditional skills, and cultural memory.
The book analyses the challenges confronting traditional crafts in the face of industrialisation, globalisation, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving markets. At the same time, it highlights how design innovation, institutional partnerships, sustainable development practices, and market-oriented initiatives can revitalise traditional craft ecosystems while improving the livelihoods of artisan communities.
Featuring 19 original research essays, complemented by rare photographs, illustrations, and archival material, the publication serves as a valuable academic and practical resource for students, researchers, educators, policymakers, designers, cultural institutions, and professionals working in heritage conservation and creative industries.
ABCD to Strengthen India’s Design and Craft Ecosystem
The event also showcased the work of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design (ABCD), located at the Red Fort Complex in New Delhi. Established to strengthen India’s creative economy through design-led interventions, the centre promotes collaboration among artisans, designers, academic institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers.
Through programmes focused on product development, skill enhancement, research, exhibitions, workshops, entrepreneurship, and market access, ABCD aims to enhance the economic potential of India’s traditional knowledge systems while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisan communities.
Preserving Heritage Through Innovation
The release of Craft Sustenance: Traditions, Transitions & Transformations marks another significant milestone in IGNCA’s ongoing efforts to document, preserve, and reinterpret India’s rich craft heritage for contemporary audiences.
By connecting traditional craftsmanship with modern design thinking and sustainable economic models, the publication reinforces the growing importance of Indian crafts in both the national and global creative economy, while advocating a future where heritage and innovation thrive together.IGNCA Unveils Landmark Book on India’s Craft Heritage and Creative Economy
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
New Delhi, July 8, 2026: The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has launched Craft Sustenance: Traditions, Transitions & Transformations, a comprehensive publication that explores India’s vibrant craft traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and the growing significance of the creative economy. The book launch was organised by the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design (ABCD), an initiative of IGNCA dedicated to strengthening India’s cultural and creative industries.
The event was attended by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA; Ms. Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture; and Shri Shah Faesal, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, along with scholars, designers, artisans, and cultural practitioners.
Craft Traditions Can Drive India’s Creative Economy
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi highlighted the immense potential of Indian crafts as a major contributor to the country’s creative economy. He said that strategic collaboration, thoughtful design interventions, and stronger market linkages could transform traditional crafts into sustainable economic assets.
He also stressed the need to create an ecosystem that encourages social awareness, reconnects younger generations with India’s rich artistic heritage, and strengthens cultural confidence by promoting a decolonised understanding of Indian traditions.
Creative Economy Holds Enormous Growth Potential
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Lily Pandeya described the creative economy as one of India’s most promising sectors with significant potential to contribute to the nation’s GDP. She underlined the importance of developing a comprehensive Culture Satellite Account to accurately assess the economic value generated by cultural industries.
She noted that the Ministry of Culture is working towards creating policies that encourage innovation, investment, and public participation in the cultural sector, while enhancing awareness about the economic value of India’s creative resources.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Cultural Industries
Shri Shah Faesal emphasised the vast opportunities available across performing arts, visual arts, crafts, museums, and other cultural sectors. He called for innovative entrepreneurial models that move beyond traditional grant-based support and instead focus on building sustainable cultural enterprises capable of generating long-term economic value.
A Comprehensive Study of India’s Living Craft Heritage
Published by IGNCA and edited by Supriya Kansal, with a foreword by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, the volume presents Indian crafts as living knowledge systems that embody centuries of indigenous wisdom, ecological understanding, traditional skills, and cultural memory.
The book analyses the challenges confronting traditional crafts in the face of industrialisation, globalisation, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving markets. At the same time, it highlights how design innovation, institutional partnerships, sustainable development practices, and market-oriented initiatives can revitalise traditional craft ecosystems while improving the livelihoods of artisan communities.
Featuring 19 original research essays, complemented by rare photographs, illustrations, and archival material, the publication serves as a valuable academic and practical resource for students, researchers, educators, policymakers, designers, cultural institutions, and professionals working in heritage conservation and creative industries.
ABCD to Strengthen India’s Design and Craft Ecosystem
The event also showcased the work of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design (ABCD), located at the Red Fort Complex in New Delhi. Established to strengthen India’s creative economy through design-led interventions, the centre promotes collaboration among artisans, designers, academic institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers.
Through programmes focused on product development, skill enhancement, research, exhibitions, workshops, entrepreneurship, and market access, ABCD aims to enhance the economic potential of India’s traditional knowledge systems while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisan communities.
Preserving Heritage Through Innovation
The release of Craft Sustenance: Traditions, Transitions & Transformations marks another significant milestone in IGNCA’s ongoing efforts to document, preserve, and reinterpret India’s rich craft heritage for contemporary audiences.
By connecting traditional craftsmanship with modern design thinking and sustainable economic models, the publication reinforces the growing importance of Indian crafts in both the national and global creative economy, while advocating a future where heritage and innovation thrive together.
