The story
Hoshiarpur's inlay craft began about 250 years ago, when artisans set ivory patterns into sheesham wood. Pieces were sold far away, including to London. After the ivory ban, artisans switched to camel bone, metal and acrylic, and the craft shrank as sheesham got costlier. Artisans mostly come from Bassi Gulam Hussain and Boothgarh villages, and Dabbi Bazaar is the main market.
In numbers
More than 1,500 artisans had adopted this art as a profession, but the number has shrunk to less than 100; the craft has produced seven national award winners and one Shilpguru from Hoshiarpur.
The Tribune — Wooden inlay artwork on decline
Ways in for a newcomer
- Online sales of inlaid boxes and décor to urban buyers
- Designer collaborations for modern furniture with inlay
- Training young artisans as apprentices
- Corporate gifting orders
Problems the cluster faces
- Artisan numbers have collapsed
- Cost and trade restrictions on sheesham wood
- Cheap machine-made imitations
- Low returns for artisans
Businesses to start here
Tarkashi Handicraft (Wood Inlay) →Wooden Furniture Making →Wood Carving Unit (Photo Frames) →Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →