The traditional wood inlay craft of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, is a hallmark of India’s artistic and cultural heritage, known for its exquisite floral and geometric patterns. Historically associated with royal patronage, this craft flourished in furniture, decorative items, and architectural details. However, it now faces significant challenges, including the scarcity of materials following the ivory ban, declining numbers of skilled artisans, inadequate market access, and limited government support. This study explores these challenges and proposes a comprehensive sustainability-focused framework for the craft’s revival. Key strategies include adopting eco-friendly and sustainable materials, empowering artisans through skill development and technological integration, and fostering collaborations with contemporary designers to create innovative products that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. These partnerships can expand market reach, enhance design diversity, and attract younger generations to the craft. The integration of the wood inlay craft into sustainable building systems further aligns it with global environmental and architectural trends. Leveraging government initiatives like Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) (MSME, n.d.)
by MSME and Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) (Textiles, n.d.)
alongside dedicated funding, infrastructural development, and policy reforms can ensure the craft’s long-term viability. Additionally, promoting the craft through heritage tourism – via live demonstrations, craft fairs, and cultural festivals – can attract domestic and global audiences, creating sustainable income streams for artisans. This research highlights the significance of collaboration across multiple stakeholders, including artisans, designers, policymakers, and conservationists, to balance cultural preservation with innovation. By bridging tradition and modernity, the craft can be repositioned as a vital element of sustainable design, heritage tourism, and eco-conscious living.

Wood inlay, Hoshiarpur crafts, sustainable materials, artisan empowerment, designer collaborations, heritage tourism, cultural preservation, sustainable architecture.

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1. Administration HD. Handicrafts of Hoshiarpur. [Internet]. Available from: https://hoshiarpur.nic.in/handicraft/
2. India HT. At markets’ mercy, Hoshiarpur's wood inlay art struggles. [Internet]. 2024 Nov 21. Available from: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/at-markets-mercy-hoshiarpurs-wood-inlay-art-struggles-536501/
3. Mohsin SH, Shafi K. Innovation in traditional handicraft companies towards sustainable development: a systematic literature review. [Internet]. ISSN: 2029-4913. Available from: [link if available]
4. Aamir N. The rise and fall of the tradition of woodcarving in the subcontinent. J Punjab Univ Hist Soc. 2018.
5. Alfuraty AB. Sustainable environment in interior design: Design by choosing sustainable materials. Mater Sci Eng. 2020.
6. National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.nimsme.org/programme/b8d9beefba19a2d0c2f511b29700c04d#:~:text=Micro%20and%20Small%20Enterprises%20Cluster,being%20implementing%20by%20the%20Government
7. Textiles M o. Ambedkar Hastashilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY). [Internet]. Available from: http://www.craftclustersofindia.in/site/ahvy_scheme.aspx?mu_id=1
8. Jaypore. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.thedecorjournalindia.com/jaypore-redefining-retail-elegance-with-global-fusion
9. Decor H. Cultural heritage meets contemporary design: the allure of bone inlay cabinets. [Internet]. 2018. Available from: https://www.residencestyle.com/cultural-heritage-meets-contemporary-design-the-allure-of-bone-inlay-cabinets/

The traditional wood inlay craft of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, is a hallmark of India’s artistic and cultural heritage, known for its exquisite floral and geometric patterns. Historically associated with royal patronage, this craft flourished in furniture, decorative items, and architectural details. However, it now faces significant challenges, including the scarcity of materials following the ivory ban, declining numbers of skilled artisans, inadequate market access, and limited government support. This study explores these challenges and proposes a comprehensive sustainability-focused framework for the craft’s revival. Key strategies include adopting eco-friendly and sustainable materials, empowering artisans through skill development and technological integration, and fostering collaborations with contemporary designers to create innovative products that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. These partnerships can expand market reach, enhance design diversity, and attract younger generations to the craft. The integration of the wood inlay craft into sustainable building systems further aligns it with global environmental and architectural trends. Leveraging government initiatives like Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) (MSME, n.d.)
by MSME and Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) (Textiles, n.d.)
alongside dedicated funding, infrastructural development, and policy reforms can ensure the craft’s long-term viability. Additionally, promoting the craft through heritage tourism – via live demonstrations, craft fairs, and cultural festivals – can attract domestic and global audiences, creating sustainable income streams for artisans. This research highlights the significance of collaboration across multiple stakeholders, including artisans, designers, policymakers, and conservationists, to balance cultural preservation with innovation. By bridging tradition and modernity, the craft can be repositioned as a vital element of sustainable design, heritage tourism, and eco-conscious living.

Wood inlay, Hoshiarpur crafts, sustainable materials, artisan empowerment, designer collaborations, heritage tourism, cultural preservation, sustainable architecture.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Administration HD. Handicrafts of Hoshiarpur. [Internet]. Available from: https://hoshiarpur.nic.in/handicraft/
2. India HT. At markets’ mercy, Hoshiarpur's wood inlay art struggles. [Internet]. 2024 Nov 21. Available from: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/at-markets-mercy-hoshiarpurs-wood-inlay-art-struggles-536501/
3. Mohsin SH, Shafi K. Innovation in traditional handicraft companies towards sustainable development: a systematic literature review. [Internet]. ISSN: 2029-4913. Available from: [link if available]
4. Aamir N. The rise and fall of the tradition of woodcarving in the subcontinent. J Punjab Univ Hist Soc. 2018.
5. Alfuraty AB. Sustainable environment in interior design: Design by choosing sustainable materials. Mater Sci Eng. 2020.
6. National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.nimsme.org/programme/b8d9beefba19a2d0c2f511b29700c04d#:~:text=Micro%20and%20Small%20Enterprises%20Cluster,being%20implementing%20by%20the%20Government
7. Textiles M o. Ambedkar Hastashilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY). [Internet]. Available from: http://www.craftclustersofindia.in/site/ahvy_scheme.aspx?mu_id=1
8. Jaypore. [Internet]. Available from: https://www.thedecorjournalindia.com/jaypore-redefining-retail-elegance-with-global-fusion
9. Decor H. Cultural heritage meets contemporary design: the allure of bone inlay cabinets. [Internet]. 2018. Available from: https://www.residencestyle.com/cultural-heritage-meets-contemporary-design-the-allure-of-bone-inlay-cabinets/