Pondicherry (Puducherry), a coastal town in South India, is a popular tourist destination, hosting lakhs of tourists annually.
To connect tourists, craft enthusiasts, and potential buyers with Pondicherry-based artisans, craft entrepreneurs, and craft boutiques, the Crafts Council of Puducherry initiated the project “DISHA” (Directory Creation and Information Sourcing of Handicraft Artisans).
This humble initiative aims to facilitate the creation of an exclusive, first-of-its-kind Craft Map of Pondicherry and the surrounding craft clusters. The project was launched in October 2024.
Artisans and craft-based businesses interested in listing their craft details on the map were requested to fill out a Google Form containing a questionnaire for information sourcing, including craft category, address of the craft unit, and contact details, along with social media links. The collected data was verified for accuracy and then compiled into a data sheet.
Initially, only a handful of artisans showed interest; however, participation gradually increased, with more artisans submitting the Google Form to become part of DISHA.
In collaboration with the Tourism Department of Puducherry, the Craft Map is expected to reach a wider audience of tourists and craft lovers through promotion and publicity. This initiative can directly benefit artisans and other stakeholders in the handicrafts industry by helping them connect with potential buyers from far and wide, as the map showcases their crafts along with contact information.
Map creation is a continuous process. Hence, the Council team intends to update the information regularly and add more artisan entries in the forthcoming phases of the project.