Indian Handicrafts are distinguished for their aesthetic value and myriad designs. They have been perfected over centuries. Interestingly the tools used today were in use as early as the Stone Age. Excavations have revealed a whole world of techniques and designs followed by our ancestors, and they remain unmatched to date.

The pottery of Neolithic age reflects remarkable development of craftsmanship in it is painting and design work. Through the centuries, Indians have woven a rich tradition of such splendor and aesthetic beauty, that Indian handicrafts have become one of the most sought after art objects of the world.

The development of tools and processes in handicrafts is a delicate area. The traditional methods are backed by centuries of expertise. However, processes with slight mechanization should be introduced which might make easy the preparation of the basic form, on which the decorations are done.

The All India Handicrafts Board assisted the state governments in setting up their Design and Technical centers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Manipur, Tripura, Haryana, West Bengal and Goa. In these centers, craftsmen and the artists jointly work out new designs and items in selected crafts.

These artists strive to combine the traditional with modern. The handicraft items are carefully made so that they retain the ethnic value, while they can be put to modern day use. The designers have to keep in mind the changing needs of the consumers, especially the foreign markets. High priced goods are at times an obstacle to their sale. Moreover, imitation products are cheaper and easily available.