Integrating Traditional Craft Knowledge into Design Pedagogy: An Ethnographic Study of Shivarapatna Stone Craft and Sherpai Bowl Craft

The socio-cultural background of a nation heavily influences its design education. Craft shares many characteristics with design and is the tangible expression of culture. Human requirements, material investigation, cultural manifestations, and the drive to express one’s innermost goals via creativity are all topics addressed in both crafts and design. Integrating wholesome craft knowledge into design education opens up new possibilities for post-modern design, creating a valuable addition to any design education program to work with indigenous communities and identities. This ethnographic study delves into the intricate worlds of the traditional Shivarapatna stone craft and Sherpai craft, to investigate the significance of craft pedagogy within design education curricula. With a growing emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and a renewed interest in traditional crafts, this research aims to illuminate the transformative potential of incorporating craft-based practices into design education. Shivarapatna, renowned for its age-old stone crafting traditions, and Sherpai, a distinctive traditional measuring bowl craft form reflecting cultural nuances, serve as rich contexts for this study. The research employs ethnographic methods, including observation, interviews, and archival analysis, to deeply understand the socio-cultural dimensions, skill ecosystems, and knowledge transfer mechanisms inherent in these crafts. This study highlights the potential benefits of integrating traditional craft knowledge into design curricula, serving as a bridge between tradition and innovation.