Overview
Kaladri is a cultural preservation initiative by UNDP focused on documenting, preserving, aiding, and promoting traditional art forms and cultural heritage across diverse communities. The platform aims to bridge the gap between traditional artisans and modern audiences while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for cultural practitioners.
Problem Statement
Traditional handicrafts and cultural practices of Lahaul and Pangi are rapidly disappearing due to difficult connectivity of the villages, urbanization, lack of documentation and infrastructure, and diminishing economic opportunities for artisans. Many heritage crafts face extinction as younger generations migrate to urban centers for better opportunities, leaving behind centuries-old knowledge and skills.
Objective
Primary Goals:
Create a comprehensive and sustainable economic model for these artisans that aids their income even when the village connectivity is broken (during winters), create an archive of traditional art forms and cultural practices, connect artisans with global markets through an accessible e-commerce platform, and develop educational resources to teach traditional crafts to new generations
Research & Discovery
Field Research
Conducted extensive field study across the two valleys, documenting multiple traditional art forms and interviewing more than 90 artisans to understand their challenges, aspirations, and needs.
Key Insights
- 78% of artisans struggle to find economically sustainable markets for their crafts
- 65% worry about their art form disappearing within the next generation
- 82% lack digital literacy, but only 20% - 25% are eager to learn if it helps their business
- The majority believed proper documentation could help preserve their cultural heritage
Stakeholder Mapping
Identified key stakeholders, including artisans, cultural institutions, government bodies, NGOs, tourists, art collectors, and educational institutions, to create a comprehensive ecosystem for cultural preservation.
The Brief
Design a digital platform that serves as both a marketplace and knowledge repository for traditional arts and crafts. The solution must be accessible to artisans with limited digital literacy while appealing to modern consumers seeking authentic cultural products.
