Threads of Connection: The Social and Economic Impact of Handmade Carpets in Communities

Do you have a handmade carpet in your home? If yes, then have you ever thought of the story behind its design, motif, or the effort put into making one? A handmade carpet is not just a floor covering but a symbol of culture and heritage. It's a piece of art crafted with love, care, and years of experience of the weaver, inspired by a tradition or a culture, and made with materials of the finest quality.

From one generation to another, the art of carpet weaving has been passed down. Each type of weaving technique has its stories, and connections, and holds cultural references. The material, crafting techniques, and intricacy of designs are inspired by different motifs and woven into these carpets adding meaning to them.

‘Crafted by India for the world’, 90% of the carpets crafted in India are exported. The country holds a 40% share of the global market of handmade carpets, and Obeetee Carpets has generously contributed to that. We are a renowned brand in the global market with our stores spread across the country and one in New York. Withholding a 102-year-old legacy we as a brand have created nothing but a positive impact economically and socially. Not only this but each thread knit by our weavers holds a significant connection between the heritage and culture and the consumer.

 1) The Social Impact-

As mentioned earlier, handmade carpets are not just floor coverings but much more than that. They are cultural symbols. Each thread used to make the design is a connection between us, today, and the community in the past from where the motif has been inspired. Crafting handmade carpets with these designs is one of the factors which has kept us connected to our roots. We at Obeetee Carpets understand the importance of this connection and have embedded this in our mindset as we continue to craft these timeless pieces of art.

Beyond tradition, Obeetee Carpets plays a vital role in uplifting artisans and craftsmen of the local communities. The art of weaving is passed down from one generation to another. At our crafting unit in Mirzapur, the artisans of Bhadohi watched their fathers weave and have become gifted weavers themselves. The tradition of carpet weaving here is truly in their blood.

We employ weavers of these local communities not only to support them financially but also to bring their traditions and culture into our carpets and keep the connection alive.

Furthermore, we at Obeete Carpets have a vision of making lives better for the people associated with us. As a successful brand in the market, it is our duty to give back to society. Started with 460 students 30 years back, through project mala we are at present providing education to 3538 students, reshaping the future of many families. In 2015, we started a vocational training program for women in Uttar Pradesh and we have trained over 1200 women. We also collaborated with Pratham, India’s largest npo, it aims to improve learning in the Bhadohi district of Uttar Pradesh via instructional work in schools benefiting over 14,446 children to date.

2) The Economic Impact-

More than 2 million rural artisans depend upon the carpet weaving industry for their livelihood. Thus, the making of handmade carpets helps in job creation. It is a labor-intensive process and requires all hands on deck. By engaging in carpet weaving, a majority of the rural population earns a substantial income to support their families, eliminating poverty and unemployment.

After these carpets are crafted, they are then exported to the world market. As per recent reports, the Carpet weaving industry in India has exported over 710 million dollars worth of handmade carpets. The intricate designs on the handmade carpets reflect the culture and heritage of different communities, which attracts foreigners to the global market. The handmade carpets also intrigue the tourists in our country, the cultural significance imprinted on these attracts these visitors and contributes to generating revenue for these local communities and overall for the national economy.

3) Thread of connection-

Centuries before artisans traveled from Persia and brought the intricate and delicate art of hand-knotted carpets, they passed on this skill to weavers here and the rest is history. Handmade carpets have the power to act as a bridge between cultures and traditions and connect people beyond the borders. Obeetee Carpets embraces this fact and actively engages/collaborates with renowned designers around the globe and brings their interpretations of culture and tradition to life by infusing them with a contemporary style. This fusion not only preserves our heritage but also caters to the audience of today’s world.

Apart from the traditional angle, Obeetee Carpets also connects to the world through its steps toward sustainability. In today’s world, with growing pollution, environmental concerns have increased exponentially. It is the key responsibility of the leading businesses to take steps toward preserving the environment for future generations. We at Obeetee Carpets make sure that all the materials used for crafting these carpets are either sustainable or recycled and 30% of the power at our manufacturing unit is generated through solar energy which reduces our carbon footprint. We also have a water treatment plant installed. This helps us use recycled water and makes it free from organic waste, at last, to be released in the nearby villages for irrigation.

In conclusion, handmade carpets are not just a piece of art limited to home decor, these carpets are cultural symbols, a medium that generates jobs, reduces poverty, and adds to the revenue of the economy. The crafting of handmade carpets keeps us connected to our roots and upholds the torch of tradition, culture, and heritage. We at Obeetee Carpets have been doing our best to contribute to this growth and will continue to do so by not only generating revenue for the economy but also playing our part as a socially responsible and sustainable brand.