Karusangha: The Living Legacy of Art and Craft at Santiniketan

Karusangha, meaning 'association of artisans,' stands as a testament to the enduring power of collective creativity and craftsmanship in shaping South Asia's socio-cultural identity. Emerging in the 20th century, this movement empowered Bengal's craftsmen by reviving indigenous arts, promoting economic independence through cooperative production, fair trade, and community welfare. It redefined the relationship between art, labor, and community, fostering self-reliance and equitable labor relations while preserving traditional knowledge systems. Though bureaucratic intervention and market pressures diluted its participatory ethos post-independence, Karusangha remains a living legacy, bridging tradition and innovation in the contemporary craft economy. This study explores how collective artistry serves as both a mode of cultural resilience and economic empowerment, reaffirming the centrality of craftsmanship in modern identity and sustainable development.

Biswas, M. (2025). Karusangha: The Living Legacy of Art and Craft at Santiniketan. Debra Thana Sahid Kshudiram Smriti Mahavidyalaya (Autonomous). https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.18426843