A Study on the Socio-Economic Conditions of Karimnagar Silver Filigree Handicraft Artisans in Telangana State

: This research paper delves into the socio-economic conditions of Karimnagar’s Silver filigree handicraft artisans in Telangana state. Through extensive field surveys, the researcher examines the artisans’ economic conditions. The paper sheds light on the cultural significance of silver filigree art in the region and its role in sustaining the artisan community. By providing valuable insights, this research seeks to inform policies that can enhance the socio-economic conditions and preserve the rich tradition of Karimnagar’s silver filigree handicraft. Based on the convenience sampling method, out of 520 artisans, 200 artisans directly involved in handicraft activities were selected as sample respondents for the data collection keeping in view the objective of the study. To test the association between the type of artisans and their demographic characteristics, the researcher has been used chi-square test. Thus, the present research paper aims to study various aspects of the socio-economic conditions of handicraft artisans.


Introduction
Items made by hand often with the use of simple tools and generally artistic and traditional in nature.They include objects of utility and objects of decoration" .(Report of Development Commissioner -Handicrafts in 1989).India is a country with rich ethnic diversity and cultural legacy, and it is also the center of handicrafts.India's handicraft sector is highly labor-intensive, dispersed, and disorganized.Because of the high percentage of value addition, minimal capital investment, and great potential for export and foreign exchange gains, the handicraft sector is extremely important to the economy.To study the various issues and challenges faced by the artisans in different handicraft categories, it is very crucial to know their socio-economic conditions to get an overall idea of the handicraft artisans in this study area.
Review of Literature 1. Sahen Debbarma (2020) made a study titled, "Socio-Economic Status of Rural Handicraft Artisans in Hezamara Rural Development Block of West Tripura District, Tripura", explained that handicrafts are a valuable and indeed a proud heritage of India.In this study debbarma discussed about socio economic conditions of Rural Handicrafts and explained problems related to marketing strategies.At the end gave some valuable suggestion to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Rural Handicraft.

Research Methodology
Research Methodology helps in conducting a study with a systematic and scientific approach.It also provides a structured inquiry along with acceptable scientific methods which in return helps in the creation of new knowledge and finding answers to a problem.It includes several steps that enable us to find answers to the research questions.With the help of a proper research methodology, a researcher can understand the functioning of the society, can evaluate social problems, the effects of the problem on the community, and to find out some possible solutions to tackle those issues.
• Sample Design of the study: 520 silver filigree artisans were registered in the welfare society, that is silver filigree of Karimnagar (SIFKA).Based on the convenience sampling method, out of 520 artisans, 200 artisans directly involved in handicraft activities were selected as sample respondents for the data collection keeping in view the objective of the study.91) are male.It shows that female respondents are slightly higher than male respondents.

Age of the respondents:
When it comes to handcraft activities, age is the most significant factor and the deciding factor.As one ages, their quirks, traits, and personalities alter frequently, impacting how they conduct business.The respondents' ages are displayed in the following table.Which is the most efficient age limit for the physical fitness of the artisans, followed by the age of 40 to 60 years with 17% (34) and only 1% (2) of respondents are in the age group of above 60.

Marital Status of the respondents:
The respondents' marital status is displayed in the following table.It provides a broad overview of the respondents' backgrounds.

4.Type of Artisans:
Based on the type of activity they chose; all of the respondents were divided into two main categories and their corresponding subcategories.Source: Compiled from Primary Data The above Table No-4 shows that out of 200 respondents, 56.5% (113) of Artisan Serving in Handicraft Units is higher than other respondents.36.5% (73) of the respondents doing job work from their own place, while 4% (8) are Artisan Doing Self-Started Businesses, and remaining 3% (6) are Artisans Doing family Started Businesses.

Economic Status:
The researcher attempts to determine the economic status of respondents in the study area with the use of BPL and APL Cards.177) said that from their family, only one member was involved in handicraft activities, followed by two members with 11.5% (23).

8.Residential status of Artisans:
As time goes on, people's life styles continue to change.Depending on their needs and financial situation, people buy a variety of items to live comfortably and satisfactorily.The data of such facilities can sketch a picture of economic standard and lifestyle.Hence, this information is included here.The above Table No-9 shows that out of 200 respondents, all the respondents have a Mobile Phone.The majority of the respondents use smartphones for Communication and Entertainment Purposes but very less respondent is there for using mobile for commercial or business perspectives.99. % (198) of the respondents have a TV at their home, and 45% (90) of the respondents have a bike for day-to-day travelling.15.5% (31) of the respondents use the refrigerator, 12.5% (25) of the respondents use the computer for their children's education but very few respondents use this computer for business perspective.7.5% (15) of the respondents used Car for traveling.They utilize this vehicle to get to family events.4% (8) of the respondents used washing missions and air coolers at their homes.
10.Education of the respondents: One of the key elements in the overall development of human resources is education.In handicrafts, its significance increases.It gives the artisans the strength and ability to survive in this cutthroat era of modernization and liberalization.Skilled craftspeople can unlock doors to success by seizing business opportunities and creating unique handmade goods that satisfy the needs and desires of the contemporary consumer base.No-10 shows that among 100% (200) of silver filigree artisans, 25% (50) artisans studied up to a degree level followed by secondary level education with 20% (40) artisans.No illiterate was found in this category.From the field survey, the researcher found that comparatively, other category artisans, silver filigree artisans showed much interest in studying higher education like PG etc.; 19% (38) artisans studied PG, 17.5% (35) are Inter, 12% (24) are Primary level and 6.5% (13) are diploma education.

11.Monthly Income of the Respondents:
One of the most crucial indicators of a person's financial situation is their income.The sustainability of artists is unquestionably dependent on the money they make from their work, since a person's financial situation can sometimes determine how acceptable they are in society and how content they are in their own minds.When a family decides to make handicrafts its primary source of income, income becomes extremely important.Here, an attempt is made to investigate the respondents' monthly income from handicraft activities.71) of the respondents fall under the income of 5,000 to 10,000 Rupees, 50.5 % (101) of the respondent's incomes between 10,000 to 20,000 Rs. while,11% (22) respondents fall under the below 5000 Rs. monthly income from their respective handicrafts.These artisans are called apprentices who are taking basic training.They get an income like a stipend daily of 150 Rs and above, which becomes a monthly income below 5000Rs.and finally, 3% (6) of the respondent's income is more than 20,000 Rs.
12.Occupations of the Respondents: Some of the respondents are not getting sufficient income to meet their expenses through handicraft occupations.So that is why they have shifted to some other occupation while continuing these crafts as a secondary source of income.So, the researcher tries to figure out which artisans fully depend on this handicraft as their main occupation  No-12 shows that 79% (158) of the respondents have handicrafts as their primary occupation and 21% (42) of the respondents have Handicrafts as their Secondary Occupation.These 42 respondents do private jobs along with practicing handicrafts.

13.Agricultural Land holding status of the respondents
India is an agrarian economy-based country; even in the globalization period,50% of the above depends directly on agriculture, and having a piece of land is crucial to a person's quality of life.The data in these land details can sketch a picture of economic standards and lifestyle.Hence, this information is included here.Source: Compiled from Primary Data It is clear from the above Table No -13 that out of 200 respondents 66.5% (133) do not have any agricultural land, only 33.5% (67) of the total respondents have agriculture land; Among these 15% (30) hold land up to below 1 acre only; whereas 7% (14) hold land between 1 to 2 acres.While 6.5% (13) of respondents hold 2 to 4 acres of land; and 5 % (10) of respondents are found holding land more than 4 acres of agricultural land.

Testing of Hypothesis
For testing the hypothesis, there are various statistical tools, techniques and tests are available.In this study, for assessing the numerous hypotheses listed below, the researcher has used non-parametric test such as Chi-Square test.Hypothesis: 1 -"There is no significant association between Type of Artisans and their 'Demographic Characteristics" The above hypothesis has been tested using Pearson's Chi-square test.The summary of the result is shown in the table below.

Conclusion
This paper deals with the socio-economic conditions of the Karimnagar silver filigree handicraft artisans.This handicraft is at the heart of the Karimnagar district.Silver filigree has a national reputation and is mainly led by women artisans.This paper also tests the association between demographic characteristics of respondents such as gender, age, education, nature of family, Economic status, occupation, and type of artisans.From this analysis, it can be concluded that there is a significant association between the demographic characteristics of respondents, and the type of artisans.

2 .
B.Rajendra and Savaraiah (July,2019) conducted study on the Role of rural artisans in the economic development of the country.They explained historical importance of artisan sector in the rural economy.They main focus on how the five-year plans pay the way for the development of the rural artisan sector from first five-year plan to twelfth five-year plan 3. Jain (2016) has studied the impact of government policies on marketing strategy of handicrafts with special reference to 220 artisans who had participated in 12 trade fares held in Madhya Pradesh during the span of the study at different point of time.The study has concentrated on the role and performance of the Government in relation to the upliftment of handicrafts and their respective policies and regulations.The researcher has analyzed the awareness of artisan on various Government schemes and policies for handicrafts and their perception on existing marketing strategy for promotion.

9Suggestions 1 .
. out of 200 respondents 66.5% (133) do not have any agricultural land, only 33.5% (67) of the total respondents have agriculture land; The government of Telangana should announce Karimnagar city as a Silver City of Telangana (Silver Park at LMD) with adequate infrastructure facilities.2. The majority of handicraft artisans are extremely underprivileged financially; the government should act right away to make it easier for them to get financial aid. 3. Brand promotion and product marketing can be increased by way of holding exhibitions in local, national and international markets and by regular quality control checks.4. Modern showrooms of Telangana handicrafts should be established across the country for the promotion of handicraft products.

Economic Conditions of the Handicraft Artisans 1. Gender of the respondents: Gender
information for the respondents is displayed in the following table.It provides a broad overview of the respondents' backgrounds.

Table No.1: Gender of the respondents Gender Silver Filigree
Compiled from Primary Data According to the above table No.1, 54.5 % (109) of the respondents in the research study are Female, while 45.5% (

Table No .2: Age of the respondents
Compiled from Primary Data The above Table No-2 reveals that, there are 82% (164) artisans in the age group of 20 to 40 years.

Table No .5: Economic Status of the Respondents
Compiled from Primary DataThe above TableNo.5 shows that 84.5% (169) of the respondents are BPL (Below Poverty Line) Card Holders, 15.5% (31) of the respondents are from APL (Above Poverty Line) Card Holders.The family system that the respondents have chosen is indicated by the nature of the family.
6.Nature of family:

Family members Involved in Handicrafts:
The majority of workers in the handicraft sector are family members, making it a largely familial industry.Most members of the family are willing to work in this industry because it runs in the family.The number of family members working in this handicraft is shown in the table below.

Table No .7: Number of family members involved in handicraft Number of family members involved in handicraft
Compiled from Primary Data The above Table No-7 shows that, out of 200 respondents, 88.5% (

Table No .8: Type of residential house Type of Residential House
Compiled from Primary DataThe above Table No-8 show that 50.5% (101) of respondents live in semi-pucca house, while 33.5% (67) of respondents live in pucca houses, and only 16% (32) live in kaccha houses.

9.Consumer Durables in Artisans House:
Human lifestyle changed over time.People purchase various commodities or goods for too easy their life or comfortable life.below commodities determine the economic conditions of the respondent's family.

Table No .11: Monthly Income of the Respondents Monthly Income of Artisan
Compiled from Primary Data The above Table No.11 show that, 35.5% (