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Indian Handicrafts
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Crafts of Uttar Pradesh – Indian handicrafts
Traditional Treasures
Zardozi
The craft of zardozi or silver and gold embroidery was brought into India by Delhi’s Turko-Afghan sultans in the 12th century. Down the ages, the craft became equally popular with the wealthy Hindu, Muslim, and European classes. Today several families in Varanasi, Agra, Lucknow, Rampur, Bareilly, and Farrukhabad, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, have revived this old craft to supply exquisite zari embroidered bridal outfits and salwar kameezes to boutiques round the country. But prices are considerably lower in Uttar Pradesh. Innovative designers have added functional bags, belts, caps, cushions, and wall hangings to their stock of ready to wear and custom made zardozi garments. A lighter and flashier offshoot of traditional Indian zardozi finds its way to top fashion houses around the world.
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Chikankari
Uttar Pradesh’s capital, Lucknow, is closely associated with another fine embroidery, chikankari. These cool summery shadow-work saris, kurtas, and veils have been in vogue in this city for hundreds of years. Prices vary according to the quality of material used, and the work done on it. Table and household linen in white or pale pastel muslin, organdy and voile are also popular buys.
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Crafts of Tripura - Indian Handicrafts
Tripura is famous for cane and bamboo work. Ethnic groups in Tripura make wide variety of handicraft products using bamboo and cane. Some of the well known craft produce from the State include table mats, floor mats, room dividers, decorated wall panels, attractive furniture of cane and various gift items. The handloom industry is the oldest industry in the State and artisans produce cloths with the elegant designs, unique colour combinations and lasting texture.
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Cane & Bamboo Handicrafts
Cane and Bamboo occupy a distinctive place in the life of Tripura. Wide variety of wonderful objects are made out of the Cane and Bamboo. Variety of items are produced, including Furniture, and Table Mats & other Mat products , Lamp Shades etc. These products are also exported to various countries as they are in great demand. Interior decoration products made out of Cane and Bamboo include ceilings, paneling, plaques, Pot containers(Planters) etc. made of Gossamer thin bamboo mattress. Lamp Shades made out of fine strips of cane and bamboo, Furniture made of cane, Baskets knitted out of cane and bamboo strips are some of the well known craft produce from the Tripura which are always on demand.
Mat and mat articles, bamboo chatai, ladies bag, Hand fans, Portfolio bag (for seminar) etc. are the most popular items. Some other rare craft items available from the State include small framed mirror, Hair Clips, Powder Case, Decorative Trays etc. Bamboo and cane Ornaments, not available in any other part of the world, are also very intricate and exquisite in nature.
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Crafts of Sikkim - Indian Handicrafts
Sikkim is famous for woven woolen carpets, table called Choktse, Hand made paper, Wollen blanets and traditional motifs and unique designs.
Foremost among Sikkim’s products are the beautiful hand woven woolen carpets with traditional Sikkimese motifs and unique. These attractively designed carpets are in great demand in Sikkim and abroad. The handsome woolen texture are durable, plush and are dyed not with synthetic dyes but traditional vegetable Sikkimese dyes.
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Choktse, the foldable table from Sikkim is one of the well known product in India and abroad. Choktse are prepared in varying designs and dimensions. Hand made paper is another product demanded inside and outside the state.
The traditional Sikkimese weaves and woolen blankets which can be designed into bags, shawls, jackets, opulent Sikkimese thankas (traditional tapestry ), leather works, dolls, variegated applique work, batiks, an exquisite selection of dolls and a variety of fashionable garments for modern people are the other specialties of the state.
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THE MULTI-HUED CRAFTS OF PUNJAB – Indian handicrafts
While Phulkari is undoubtedly the piece de resistance of the crafts of Punjab, there are several other beautiful, traditional crafts - many of them unusual and highly specialized -practiced all over the state.
Pidhis
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At Kartarpur, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, craftsmen and women create pidhis (low, four legged woven stools), which are both functional and artistic. In a marvelous display of skill, the pidhis are first carved out from wood, and then covered with lacquer and woven with threads of different colors. Other lacquer ware products of Punjab include table lamps, dolls, and attractive scratch work surahis. Wood workers at Hoshiarpur and Kartarpur specialize in making artistic furniture with intricate designs. In those golden days when artisans received royal patronage, the wood workers of Hoshiarpur particularly were specialists in inlaying ivory. With motifs and ornamentation drawn from life around them -Patta (leaf), dodi (bud), jhari (bush), flowers and animals and birds-the wood workers created masterpieces that found their way to the homes of those who had an eye for skill and beauty.
Today, the march of time has taken its toll in terms of raw material-with ivory inlays being replaced by plastic. But the skills of the craftsmen continue to blossom and they turn out a remarkable range of trays, mirror frames, dressing tables, easy chairs, sofa sets, dining tables, chairs, and much else.
Jootis
Color, beauty and utility combine to form the central theme of the well-known leather jootis (shoes and slippers) of Punjab. Rich gold and multi-colored threads are used to decorate and impart a royal touch to a variety of jootis crafted from leather of different shades. In many parts of Punjab, entire families continue to devote themselves to making jootis. A good place to buy jootis is Patiala-once the proud capital of the Sikh Maharajas. One can find a stunning range of jootis embroidered with zari (gold thread), salma and tilla here.
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Crafts of Nagaland – Indian handicrafts
The traditional crafts of Nagaland are unique in design which shows beyond doubt that they are lovers of art and craft. The cane and bamboo works of the Nagas maintain high quality and the intricate designs on them depict the rich cultural tradition of the Nagas. Their handicraft products find ready market in the country as well as abroad.
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Handloom
The introduction of improved and finer count yarn, the translation of traditional handloom fabric into modern garments, the handloom industry of Nagaland has found wider scope of expansion. These traditional patterns with rich vibrant colours of the various tribes of Nagaland fused harmoniously with the high fashion garments of the west are finding good market in national level.
The important handicrafts of the Nagas are :
wood-carving
bamboo work
pottery
blacksmithy
Wood Carving
The best wood-carvings are to be seen on the village gate, in the Morung, and in front of the house of a rich man or warrior. They use simple working instruments like dao, chisel, axe and adze. The figures generally carved are mithun head, hornbill, human figure, elephant, tiger etc. These figures are an expression of an idea. The mithun head represents wealth; the hornbill, valour; the human figure, success in head-hunting; while elephant and tiger denotes physical prowess. In Konyak area, there are some carvings which have the Khajuraho touch about them; there are exotic motifs showing a dancing couple in an amorous posture. The Konyaks are in fact, the best wood-carvers among the Nagas. The log-drums or xylophones which are laboriously hollowed out of the trunk of a big tree are excellent specimens of the Naga’s skill in wood-work. The drum has generally a carved prow showing mithun, buffalo or tiger’s head. In recent years, owing to discouragement of headhunting and the spread of Christianity, the art of wood-carving has been languishing.
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Crafts of Kerela – Indian handicrafts
Inspiration and Innovation
Introduction
The crafts of Kerala have one thing in common-they have all been perfected through the dedicated hands of the craftsmen who thrive on coconut groves and wealth of forest riches.
Unlike any other region of the land, the craft skills of Kerala are entirely indigenous. The craftsmen here can pick up the humblest and meanest bit of material and imbue it with magical mastery. One finds it very difficult to investigate successfully the alchemy of these finished products of décor and utility.
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Woodcarving
Endowed with a rich variety of fine quality tropical wood like the distinguished rose wood, the stately white cedar, the indestructible teak, and the luxuriant bamboo, it is but natural that the skill of the wood carver is Kerala’s timeless tradition. It was the craft of royal preference as palaces were built entirely of wood. The temple structures today stand witness to the beauty and stability of this heritage. Currently this tradition has become a form of artistic expression visible in the form of figurines and household items. This heritage at first appeared in the form of deified images as stylised Buddhas, awe-inspiring Rama figures, the very human Krishna forms, and serene figures, which contrasted amicably with perfection of the dancing Shiva-Nataraja figures. Together with these art objects produced with anatomical exactitude and ornamented with a veneer of intricate carving, there were secular and common life examples produced alongside, ranging in height from a tiny six centimetres to life-size carvings.
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Crafts of Himachal Pradesh – Indian handicrafts
Crafts Panorama from Himachal
Introduction
Hidden from public gaze, the amazing and highly specialised activities take place all over Himachal Pradesh throughout the year. In picturesque valleys and among high rugged mountains, the people of Himachal practice their age-old skills. In many cases, it takes months of patient work before a crafted article of rare workmanship is ready to be revealed for public appraisal. The range of crafts in Himachal is vast and shows many facets of artistic dexterity. The crafts include textiles, woodcarving, architecture, and paintings. It is amazing to see how these hilly people developed such great tradition of artistic excellence despite their tough life.
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Textile
Exquisite examples of needle painting, the rumals (large handkerchiefs) of Chamba have long been famous for their unusual beauty, and as symbols and omens of goodwill. Weddings in the hills and valleys around Chamba are still not complete without an exchange of Chamba rumals.
Originally, the hill women in and around Chamba embroidered the silk rumals with folk motifs. In time, they were influenced by the Pahari School of painting, which developed after Mughal miniature paintings came into vogue. Gradually, the Chamba rumals were transformed into works of art. Episodes from mythology and legends were embroidered on the rumals with stunning effects. The facial expressions of the characters, their lithe body movements, and scenic detail were brought to life on the rumal through remarkable skill at embroidery and an unerring feel for colours.
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Crafts of Maharashtra – Indian handicrafts
A region as large and diverse as Maharashtra in terms of culture, customs and geography is bound to develop rich repertoire of art and techniques of artistic crafts. Maharashtra is the proud home to various different artistic techniques which have flourished under the many rulers including the Marathas, the Mughals and the British. From the paintings at Ajanta, so many hundreds of years ago, to today’s Warli paintings, Maharashtra’s ties with the Arts have always remained strong and nurturing.
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Bidri Ware
Bidri ware, one of Aurangabad’s ancient crafts, employs zinc and copper as raw materials. It usually involves intricate workmanship of pure silver, either embossed, overlaid or inlaid on the metal surface. Originally, Bidri ware items were used as hookahs or paan daans but they have been relegated to as souvenirs.
Paithani Saris
The art of weaving Paithani saris is believed to be 2000 years old. The yarn used is pure silk and the zari or gold threads are drawn from pure gold. A heavily brocaded Paithani sari takes anywhere from six months to one and a half years to weave.
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Crafts of Meghalaya – Indian handicrafts
Weaving is inseparable from the culture of the tribals of Meghalaya - be it weaving of cane or cloth. The Khasis are famous for weaving cane mat, stools and baskets. Their special kind cane mat called ‘Tlieng’, is famous for its durability which guarantees a good utility span of around 20-30 years. Baskets, sleeping mats, winnowing fans, rain shields manufactured out of plaited bamboo and cane are mostly found in the rural areas. Jaintia fishing traps made of bamboo sticks are also noted for functional beauty.
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The favourite women clothing of the Meghalaya is known as Dakbanda. These garments are well decorated with depictions of beautiful flowers and butterflies, in various colour combines. The Khasis have also been involved in extracting iron ore and then manufacture domestic knives, utensils and even guns and other warfare weapons using it.
In some Jaintia and Garo villages, engravings of the figures of men and animals are found on the house walls. Near Jowai, the carvings of a lover and his beloved are seen which evoke acclaim even today for artistry and ingenuity in designing.
The cane bridges hanging over quick-flowing streams also testify to the superb craftsmanship of the Khasis and Jaintias.
The non- Christian Garos erect memorials for the dead. Those are actually statues engraved in wooden posts, in the shape, form and facial resemblance of the deceased. The original house-types are found in some of the interior villages.
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Crafts of Gujarat – Indian handicrafts
Handicraft Heritage
The tradition of crafts in Gujarat dates from the ancient times. The presence of a kiln at Lothal, one of the sites of the ancient Indus Valley civilisation, indicates that pottery was a well-established craft in the state. Some of the oldest and the best textiles that were in great demand in West and Southeast Asia were created in Gujarat. A visit to Gujarat, however fleeting, is replete with images of colourful and fascinating textiles, elaborately carved wooden and stone jharokhas and beautiful handcrafted silver jewellery. In Gujarat it is customary for a bride to have exquisite hand embroidered ghagras, odhnis, animal covers, bags, quilts and house decorations as part of her trousseau.
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Textiles
Textiles are Gujarat’s forte and one can find an immense variety of textile traditions here that range from robust folk textiles to fine brocades. In fact, the oldest known printed fabrics from India were the resist dyed and printed cottons of Gujarat. These printed fabric traditions are still going strong in Gujarat and are considered an essential part of any fashionable Indian woman’s wardrobe. The ajrakh prints of the Kutch region and the sodagiri prints of Paithapur are just two examples of Gujarat’s excellently printed textiles. The Matani-Pachedi print produced by the Vaghari community priests in honour of the mother goddess is another example of Gujarati skills in printing. Gujarat also boasts of the patola, one of the finest hand woven textiles found in Patan. In this process the warp and the weft are first tie-dyed and then woven together, an act requiring highly specialised skills.
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Crafts of Madhya Pradesh – Indian handicrafts
Alluring Legacy
Introduction
All over Madhya Pradesh, craftsmen spend their days in a whirl of activities. The materials that are used may have changed over the years and the articles that are produced may be on a wider utilitarian range, but a long heritage of tradition continues to add a highly distinctive, individualistic touch to the crafts of Madhya Pradesh. Thousands of craftsmen practice hand printing, generally with vegetable dyes at a string of hand printing centres-Jawad, Bhairongarh, Mandsaur, Umedpura, Burhanpur, Bhopal, Indore, Gotampura, Sohawal and Tarapur.
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Textiles
Garments, bedspreads, tablecloths and curtain material are produced at Umedpura and Tarapur in nandana prints. The prints were once in vogue amongst the villagers of the Nimar plain. From Bhairongarh came printed quilt covers, lungis, odhanis, jajams (floor coverings), bedspreads, and tablecloths. Tie and dye chunaries are the speciality of Tarapur and Mandsaur.
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Crafts of Tamil Nadu – Indian handicrafts
In Rhyme With The Past
Introduction
The origin of most of the arts and crafts tradition of the state of Tamil Nadu can be related to the influence of temple economy that prevailed for a long time in this part of the country. The rich temples of the region not only gave patronage to the craftsmen but constant construction work in these temples helped the craftsmen regularly upgrade their knowledge and experience. Today, the craft traditions of the state have developed into full-fledged industries in themselves.
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Musical Instruments
With the important role played by music and dance in the cultural life of Tamil Nadu, it was inevitable that the making of musical instruments would become a major craft. Most of the centres for this craft are situated around Thanjavur, which has also produced some of the country’s finest musicians.
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Crafts of Uttaranchal – Indian handicrafts
Surrounded by the magnificent Himalayas and dense forests lies the land of Uttaranchal. The snow clad region is famous for its temple architecture, wood carving, paintings and traditional ornaments.
Temple Architecture
Temple Architecture was patronised by wealthy and powerful kings of of the region. They encouraged the construction of big stone temples, wood carvings, ornaments etc. Big stone temples were erected with highly intricate and ornamental carvings, having beautiful stone and metal idols. Kamaleshwar Temples of Srinagar (Garhwal) and Nanda Devi Temple (Distt. Almora) are fine examples of these.
In the Garhwal-Kumaon region, one can find a temples with lotus shaped roof, lion over the elephant which is projected over lower Shikhara normally covering the audience hall and outer walls executed either in Panch Rath or Sapta Rath pattern, giving the temple a cylindrical shape. The main temple is invariably surrounded by a couple of smaller temples, which house deities of lower hierarchy.
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Wood Carving
Craft-persons of the Uttaranchal had mastered the art of wood carving. Abundant in Wood and wood product, the artisans of the region has designed simple and beautiful designs on carvings on Doors, windows and ceilings in the houses of the region. These beautifully ornamented doors and windows still attract art lovers. The motifs, ordinarily of the Gods or Goddesses, add to the richness of the carvings. The craftspersons also used to do specific latticework to fill in the open space of the windows in order to give a screen like effect.
Paintings
Garhwal, is famous for Mughal style of paintings introduced by a Mughal Prince. A rich collection of these paintings are displayed in the University Museum in Srinagar, Garhwal, along with many sculptures and findings from archaeological excavations.
The Folk Art of Kumaon known as Aipan, has been practiced by the women folk of Kumaon. Another kind of painting is known as Peeth, where floor of the seat of Gods and goddess is decorated with geometrical patterns.
Wall Painting
Wall paintings has been one of the oldest traditions of the region and usually two different kinds of paintings are followed for the Kitchen and another for the ritual ceremonial places. These painting are usually done on the occasion for domestic ceremonies such as marriages when walls and doors of the house are decorated.
Ornaments
Garhwal and Kumaon, traditional goldsmiths used to make traditional ornaments using design and patterns which are thousands of years old. The ornaments were made in gold, silver & often copper was overlaid in brass.
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Crafts of West Bengal – Indian handicrafts
Bengal is known all over the world for its expertise in art and craft. Its skill in architectural splendours to its excellent works on woodwork, terracotta, paintings, textile run unparallel. Pottery, brass and copperware, embroidery, tapestry, hand looms, fine muslin and silk artistry, wood carving, cane works etc. are a few examples of handicrafts which originated at the ground level in the heartland of Bengal - the villages. Most of these handicraft produce are cottage industry in West Bengal and has been backbone of the rural economy of the State.
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Artistic Leather Craft
The leather crafts, a fine example of contemporary art and craft in West Bengal, owe their widespread popularity and development due to some innovative work done by gifted artists at Santiniketan.
Brass & Bell Metal
Brass and Metal craft has been an old handicraft product of the State. Handed down to generations of metalworkers, their product has varied from cooking utensils to vessels for specilal occations. Artisans of Bankura, Bishnupur, Ghatal and Chandanpur in Midnapore, are engaged in engraved brass and bell metal work.
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Crafts of Assam – Indian handicrafts
Introduction
Handloom weaving is a way of life in Assam. Almost every house is the village has a prized possession of a loom. Cotton, Muga, Paat (Silk) and Endi are common fabrics widely used for weaving. Images or caricatures of animals, human figures, creepers, flowers, birds, cross borders etc. are favoured motifs embroidered on these handloom products. The traditional garments with beautiful designed borders are mekhela-chaddar, Riha and Gamosa (Towels). The Laichangphi guilts in Cachar district are an industry by itself of Assam. Sualkuchi being the biggest silk production center is called as the ‘Manchester of Assam’.
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Jwellery, particularly of gold is a tradition in Assam. The Sonowal Kachari tribe collect gold from the birds of the rivers flowing down the Himalayas. The jewellers known as Sonari make exquisite Doog-Doogi, Bana, Jon-biri, Dhol-biri type lockets; Thuriya, Loka-paro and Keru earrings; Gaam-kharu bracelets and Gal-pata necklaces.
Rich with cane and bamboo forests, Assam has not only the raw material but also the fine artistic sense of making the cane furniture which are highly appreciated all over the world. The Chalani (sieve), kula (winnowing pan), Khorahi (small baskets), the Japi (hat) with colourful design and motif made out of Bamboo strips enjoy enormous domestic demands. Cachar is famous for Sitalpati (mats) made out of Patidai or mohtra reeds.
Brass and Bell metal products are famous for their beauty, strength and utility. In Hajo of Kamrup district Brass is an important cottage industry. Sarthebari in the same district is famous for bell metal crafts. The artisans prepare Kalah (water pot), Sarai, Kahi (dish) Bati (bowl), Lota and Tal (cymbals) out of this material.
Assam also has a body of artists specialising in pottery. Their products are exquisite examples of immaculate craftsmanship. Household articles, toys, dolls and images of worship are the favourites of the pottery artists in Assam.
Wood is in abundance in Assam, which has largely enriched the woodcraft in the State. Exquisite wood carvings are seen in the doors, walls, beams, and ceilings and also in the temples. The decorative panels in the royal palace of Ahoms and in the Vaishnavite monasteries testify to the skillful artistic hands of the Khanikars. The painted wood work of Golaghat signifies the folk art of the state.
Kuhila Koth or fibre weaving is a famed handicraft of Batadrava area of Nagaon district. Kuhila is woven on a simple loom-like gadget made of wood and bamboo poles to produce seats, mats and cushions. This is also an important craft in Gauripur of Dhubri district.
Pith or Indian cork had been in use for toy making for centuries in Assam.
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Ethnic Indian Handicrafts and Paintings
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Indian paintings provide an aesthetic continuum that extends from the early civilization to the present day. This form of art in India is vivid and lively, refined and sophisticated and bold and vigorous at the same time. From being essentially religious in purpose in the beginning, Indian paintings have evolved over the years to become a fusion of various traditions which influenced them.
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Crafts of Chhattisgarh – Indian handicrafts
Chhattisgarh is famous for traditional craft products made out of bamboo, wood etc. The folk paintings of Chhatisgarh depict the living expressions of the people, intrinsically linked with the socio-cultural ambiance of the area. They are not mere decorations but also spontaneous outpourings of religious devotions. The main craft produce of the State include Bamboo work, Wood carving, folk painting and folk Jewellery.
Bamboo Work
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Bamboo thickets are common sight in the State and tribals of Chhattisgarh have been putting their craftmanship to work. Craftsmanship of Chhattisgarh tribals can be seen from varying articles of craft produce they make out of bamboo. Articles for daily as well as decorative use are produced by these artisians. Some of the will known Bamboo produce include agricultural implements, fishing traps, hunting tools and baskets.
Wood Carving
The woodcarving art has been flourishing in Chhattisgarh from time immemorial and one can find beautifully carved wooden products designed by the craftsman of the State. The skillful craftsmen of the State carve beautiful wooden ceilings, doors, lintels etc using different kinds of wood like shisham, teak, dhudi, sal and kikar. The craftsmen also make pipes, masks, doors, window frames and sculptures.
Painting
Traditional wall paintings of the State is associated with rituals. Floors and walls are painted with colours and in almost every instance the depiction being associated with some ritual. Pithora paintings is a common traditional art form. These paintings originated in the tribal area of the Central India which is presently Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and depicts the offering to gods. These paintings are usually done on the occasion of marriages, child birth and other occasions of fulfillment of wish etc. Most of these paintings has a horse as it was considered auspicious to sacrifice a horse. In most of these tribal houses one can find pithora paintings. They are colorful and use natural colors.
Ornaments
Jewellery from Chhattisgarh is available in a variety of gold, silver, bronze and mixed metal. Ornament made out of beads, cowries and feathers are part of tribal costumes. Tribal men and women wear traditional ornaments.
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Crafts of Manipur – Indian handicrafts
The people of Manipur are artistic and creative in their thinking and outlook. Every house possesses a loom, and Manipuris weave with a passion and style, unrivalled by any other state. Manipuri bed covers of Moirangfee and flower designs, silk and cotton sarees, scarves, blankets and shawls, in distinctive shades and weaves, make for an enchanting collection. A wide range of artistic handicrafts from bamboo, papier mache, decorative ivory, dolls and jewellery make for prized souvenirs. These exquisite handlooms and handicrafts are sold at Khwairamband market, the largest exclusive women’s market in the country.
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Cane and Bamboo
Cane is the natural endowment of the forest resources in Manipur. Due to Jhum (Shifting) cultivation rampantly practiced in the hill areas, cane resources have been dwindling by way burning of the forest areas.
Bamboo, another forest resource is abundantly grown in Churachandpur, Jiribam, Tamenglong and Imphal districts of Manipur. It may be mentioned here that Manipur is the largest producer bamboo products after Tripura in the entire north east. Some of the bamboo products are sofa sets, Murhas, mats, basketry, tray, chair, table, flower vase, ashtray and other decorative and utility articles.
Wood Carving
Wood Carving is also a craft popular in Manipur. Wood carving is a child of necessity in Manipur. Due to absence of proper transport and communication with other parts of India, craftsmen had to depend on wood as material for making various articles of utility. The main products are wooden tray, spoon and drum, etc. to name a few.
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Crafts of Goa – Indian handicrafts
Goa can be compared to any other state in india as far as the arts and crafts are concerned. It can be said that art virtually runs in thier blood which is manifested in many artistic crafts that have attained commercial proportions. They make excellent souvenirs for tourists. Goan handicrafts include creative pottery, shell work, furniture, brass work, bamboo work, papier mache, etc.
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These items are crafted by professional artisans in their ethnic ambience, and also by artisans working for the government sponsored crafts workshops. They are sold through various handicraft emporia and all major tourist spots.
The art and craft of Goa is the product of the aesthetic blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures. The crafts of the state are intricately beautiful, capturing the fancies of tourists and locals alike. These crafts can be at best described as a mirror of Goa’s perennial glory and beauty and they have carved a niche for themselves by winning critical acclaim of the connoisseurs of the art world. The major art forms of the state include bamboo craft, woodcarving, brass metals, seashell craft, papier-mache, and wooden lacquer ware. Other important crafts of the state include jute macrame, fabric collage, plaster of Paris, crochet and embroidery, fiber and batik prints, fiber stone carving, coconut shell carving, metal embossing, silver and imitation jewelry, cotton dolls, soft toys, woolen tapestry, and artistic weaving.
Pottery & Terracota
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Crafts of Haryana – Indian handicrafts
‘Handy’ Wares
In Haryana, crafts have never been a major pre-occupation. Most crafts have not evolved into art forms and have remained rooted to their original use and simplicity. Perhaps people were always too involved in the hardships of agricultural life to spare time for crafts. Even when the Green Revolution made agriculture easier, people preferred to continue with agriculture, which was a familiar area, rather than venture into the unknown world of crafts. Historically speaking, Haryana’s craft traditions also never received any royal patronage, as did crafts in Rajasthan or Avadh.
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Despite all these problems, Haryana has some interesting handicrafts on offer including pottery making, handloom, woven furniture, artistic pottery, and woodcarving.
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Crafts of Jammu and Kashmir – Indian handicrafts
Introduction
Kashmir is known throughout the world as much for its arts and crafts as for its scenic beauty and bracing climate. The diverse articles ranging from woolen textiles of fleecy soft texture of matchless excellence in weaving, hand-woven carpets of finest warp and weft, to the exquisite designs worked on papier-mache, wood work, silverware, etc. are the products of unique craftsmanship.
Shawls
A unique position among Kashmir textiles is held by the celebrated shawl known as Pashimina shawl. The fabric of this shawl is extracted from the smooth fleecy wool of Kel goat by the handloom artisans who are usually womenfolk. Equally popular is the celebrated ‘ring shawl’. The fabric of this particular shawl is so sleek and smooth that it can pass effortlessly through a ring and hence the name.Rare and different from the others is the Jamavar shawl. In this case, the threads of the warp and weft are dyed before weaving. The peculiar charm of this famous shawl is derived from the symphony of colour schemes depicting architectural and mythological figures interwoven with landscape designs.
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A high-class shawl is expected to have the designs worked evenly on both sides. The price of a pashmina shawl may range anywhere from a few hundred rupees to thousands of rupees, depending upon the craftsmanship and the time factor involved in its creation.
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Priceless Pearls
Andhra Pradesh – Indian handicrafts
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Hyderabad, the capital city of the state, today is the nerve centre for pearl trade in the country and is acclaimed as one of the principal pearl markets in the world. It all began with one man’s fancy for this exotic, lustrous marine gem. The Nizam of the erstwhile State of Hyderabad, it is said, had a great penchant for pearls. The Asaf Jahi Nizams not only wore ropes of pearls studded with diamonds as part of State regalia but used the paste of crushed pearls as beauty aids. The princesses were covered with pearls and weighed against them on their birthdays. Under their patronage, pearl merchants from all over the country flocked to Hyderabad and gradually the city flourished as an important trading centre for pearls. For centuries, India was known as a good market for pearls. According to Megasthenes, the Greek historian and ambassador to the court of Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya, “Indians prefer pearls to gold. A pearl would sell for three times its equivalent in gold.� In those days the pearls used to come from Basra in the Persian Gulf. But with the discovery of the oil, the pollution at the sea increased leading to the near extinction of the oysters in the Gulf and decrease in the production of the natural pearls. The vacuum for the pearls, thus created, was soon filled with the advent of cultured pearls. The technique of making cultured pearls, which involves implanting a foreign particle within the mother shell, was invented by Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan in 1893. A pearl being essentially the nacreous layer and there being no difference between such layers, both natural and cultured pearls are ‘real’. Except for the negligible yield in the Gulf of Munnar, India does not produce pearls. Nevertheless the inflow of pearls, usually the cultured pearls from China and Japan, in the Indian market is plenty. The hub of India’s flourishing pearl trade is close to Charminar in Hyderabad where dealers sell mostly imported pearls after refining them. The dexterity of the local craftsmen and jewellers, inherited through generations, and the availability of cheap labour have established Hyderabad in the world market.
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Crafts of Mizoram – Indian handicrafts
Crafts of Mizoram have got their own identity. One has to see them to believe the intricate traditional designs woven by the Mizo women, born weavers who produce what can only be described as art on their looms. The Mizos have held on to certain patterns that have come down through the ages. These designs have become deeply rooted in their tribal consciousness and have become part of the heritage of the Mizos. The traditional craft of Mizos can also be seen in their exquisite cane and bamboo work - where both utilitarian and decorative pieces find pride of place.
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The womenfolk of Mizoram have practically realised that their age old practice of handloom weaving has now become economically unviable unless new technologies and artistic innovations are embraced. The Mizoram handicraft products hold a lot of potential as far as opportunities for job creation and market demands are concerned. At present only an insignificant number of people are engaged in this sector. Given the relatively good international demand for the Mizoram handicrafts, it will do a world of good to the Mizoram artists if their products are made to suit to international taste and designs. Efforts should also be made to obtain modern technologies for bamboo and cane industries from those countries which have the latest and best technologies.
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Indian Handicrafts Export Promotion Councils
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1) The All India Handicrafts Board : (West Block VII, R.K. Puram, New Delhi- 110022). This board acts as a Commodity Board for handicrafts and has an Export Section with a Deputy Director (Exports) in charge. The Board collects and disseminates information, arranges exhibitions, sponsers sales and study teams, and invites foreign buyers. The regional offices of the Board handle registration and process requests for any specific export promotion measures.
2) The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council : (D-15, Commerce Centre, 4th Floor, Tardeo Road, Bombay- 400001) The council aims at providing facilities and incentives regarding the exports of pearls, precious and semiprecious stones, diamonds and sythetic stones; to assist in improving and modernising of the jewellery craft of the country.
3)The Handloom Export Promotion Council : (123, Mount Road, Madras- 600006) It superintends the export promotion of INdian Handlooms in the country.
4) The Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation of India: (Jawahar Vyapar Bhavan, Anex-I, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi 110001). A government of India undertaking, it supplements the export efforts of the private sector, besidesexporting directly. It undertakes varoius exort promotional and developmental measures such as publicity and Indian participation in foreign exhibitions, and invites reputed designers for advise and assistence. It also has branches, showrooms and warehousing depots abroad.
5) The Indian Institue of Foreign Trade : (Ashoka Bhavan, 93 Nehru Place, New Delhi- 110024). Besides training courses for export executives, this Instiute carries out surveys of various markets and publishes them.
6) The Trade Development Authority of India : (Bank of Baroda Building, 16 Parliament Street, New Delhi- 110001). Handicrafts and garments are included in it’s trade promotion activities among other items. It also has offices in New York, Frankfurt and Tokyo. Besides inviting buyers, it arranges buyer- seller meets in selected markets.
7) The Export Credit Gaurantee Corporation : (Head office : Express Towers, 10th Floor, Nariman Point, Bombay-400001). It provides export credit intelligence and issues, covers against risks. It also has branches in Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai and Cochin.
8) The Export Inspection Council : (14/1-b Erza Steet, World Trade Centre, Calcutta- 700001). This Council has especially been set up to ensure the quality control and Pre- shipment Act. The Council has also set up a number of Export Inspection Agencies.
9) The Federation of Indian Export Organisation : (Allahabad Bank Building, 17 Parliament Street, New Delhi-110001). It is a non profit servicing institution, set up jointly by the Government, industry and trade. FIEO is an apex forum coordinating and supplimenting the insitutions. It also gives special attention to the export promotional activites of small sector including crafts.
10) The Trade Authority of India : (Pragati Maidan, New Delhi-110001) The TFA is an autonomous organisation established by the Government of India as a company. Started in March 1977 it has today become a highly effective organisation giving a new orientation to the country’s trade promotional activities. It unifies policy direction, controls and implements programmes of India’s participation in fairs and exhibitions, both in India and abroad. Handicrafts continue to recieve the special attention of the TFA.
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Crafts of Orissa - Indian Handicrafts
Introduction
Rooted in custom, tradition and utility, the Oriyan craftsman is the vibrant link in an unbroken chain, which embraces both producers and consumers within a socio-religious framework. Throughout its history, Orissa nurtured a rich and variegated religious heritage. The interaction which followed the rise and fall of different movements-Jainism, Buddhism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism-provided a remarkable cradle for cultural development. A strong tribal element ran side by side with religion and is still reflected in many of the crafts of Orissa.
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Glimpses of the craft technologies that date back over several thousand years can be had from the shop windows of Bhubaneswar. The tie and dye or ikat technique of Orissa is, for instance, an ancient intricate process of dyeing yarn in segments to produce bold, beautiful patterns on the loom while weaving.
Wherever one goes in Orissa, one can find almost the entire range of arts and crafts in the market places of the main towns and cities. Co-operative societies have played an important role in preserving the rich craft heritage of the State by ensuring easy access to customers and thus sustaining a continuous demand for products. But perhaps the secret of Orissa’s crafts lies in their fascinating combination of beauty and utility-a tribute to the vision of the craftsmen. Instead of being merely decorative reminders of another age, the crafts of Orissa are gloriously alive-suited to modern tastes and yet retaining all the essential traditional links with a checkered past.
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All India Associations for welfare of Indian handicrafts
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India has All India Organizations for three of its most popular handicrafts items; hand printed textiles, carpets and zari. These Associations serve as a platform for consultations among the manufacturers and exporters on one hand and the Handicrafts Board on the other. The Board uses these Associations to disseminate information useful to crafts.
(a) All India Carpets Manufacturers Association; Post Box No. 63, Bhadohi, District Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
(b) All India Federation of Zari Industry; Safe Deposit Chambers, Surat, Gujarat, India.
© All India Textile Handprinting Industries Federation, 1106 Prasad Chambers, Swadeshi Mill Estate, Bombay, India.
Social- Voluntary Organizations
A number of social organizations including non profit making registered societies and cooperatives support the field of handicrafts. Their principal aim is to provide work to the poor craftsmen. Many of them run training cum production centres, while others are concerned with marketing. Certain voluntary organizations are running Regional Handicrafts Training Institutes for Women, under the All India Handicrafts Board.
(a) Handicrafts Teacher’s Training College (The Arts and Crafts Society), Adarsh Nagar, Worli, Bombay, India.
(b) Regional Training Institute of Handicrafts (Bharat Sevak Samaj), Dharwar, Maharashtra, India.
© Regional Handicrafts Training Institute for Women, (Andhra Mahila Sabha) Vidya Nagar, University Road, Hydrabad, India.
(d) Regional Handicrafts Training Institute for Women, (Karma Kutir) 32 Ballygunge Palace, Callcutta, Bengal, India.
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Central Corporations/Bodies for welfare of Indian Handicrafts
(a) The Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation of India (HHEC) is a subsidiary of the State Trading Corporation of India, and came into existence in June 1962. The corporation’s policy in the field of direct exports is designed to develop new markets and expand traditional ones and to introduce new products suitable to the needs of the consumers abroad. The Corporation undertakes and executes wholesale orders, conducts retail sale operations through retail shops abroad, and participates and sells in major exhibitions of the world. HHEC also helps private exporters by affiliating them as business associates. It undertakes a number of publicity and promotional measures for the export of handicrafts and handloom products.
(b) The Central Cottage Industries Corporation, Pvt. Ltd. is a registered society which had taken over from the Indian Cooperative Union. It runs the Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIE) at Janpath, New Delhi, the premier sales organization in Indian handicrafts. The CCIE has branches at Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Jaipur. CCIE has grown by leaps and bounds in the successive years.
© The All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd. ,(56-58 Mittal Chambers, 5th Floor, Nariman Point, Bombay, India.), is sponsored and supported by the All India Handloom Board. This Cooperative runs handloom houses in Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Hydrabad, Ernakulam, Vadodara and Vishakapatnam. It also has branches abroad in Lagos, Singapore, Kualalumpore, New York, Mauritius and Hamburg.
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Crafts of Karnataka – Indian handicrafts
Lyrical Legacies
Introduction
The vast range of the State’s arts and crafts that now embellish royal homes of the past, elite bungalows, and even ordinary hutments, bear testimony to the skill, aesthetic sensibilities, and decorative abilities of the craftsperson. Many craft traditions in Karnataka have been handed down from father to son and this continuity has helped to support a vast variety of handicrafts with their high degrees of perfection.
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The State’s craftsmen received much patronage from the royalty in the past. Today, the government has set up many agencies and design centres to encourage craft families to continue making handicrafts and also help them to market their ware. This has helped keep many craft traditions alive so that their practitioners can cater not only to the local population but also to the many tourists who visit Karnataka.
Woodcarving
Karnataka has come to occupy pride of place in the field of woodcarving. The State’s relatively good forest cover provides enough raw material for its craftsmen who continue to employ age-old techniques to carve, inlay, veneer, paint, and lacquer articles in wood. Their skill is manifest in the ancient temples where wood has been used extensively, as also in the intricate fixtures they make for present-day needs in architecture and furniture making. The lintels and doors of some old homes in the hilly region and the temple cars in villages and towns are literally overflowing with hundreds of intricately carved images of gods and goddesses. Rosewood articles are a favourite with the well-to-do buyers and no tourist leaves the state without carrying at least a beautifully carved rosewood elephant.
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Indian Handicrafts welfare by State and Union Territories
Each State and Union Territory has a department looking after the development and promotion of handicrafts. Many states including, Arunachal Padesh, Daman , Diu, Delhi and Goa have public sector corporations for marketing handicraft products. A few state corporations dealing with small-scale industries and other products have taken up marketing and export promotion of handicrafts. Besides taking up direct exports, these corporations are also expected to guide and help private exporters.
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Crafts of Rajasthan – Indian handicrafts
Introduction
The patronage for artisans of the state was extended by the kings and rulers who turned to them to embellish their zenanas, the women’s wings of the palaces, and the durbar or courts. Ateliers were created where artists were treated with due respect and paintings, jewellery and pottery, stone and wood carving, textile and rug weaving, was accorded due place. That this was a serious activity was evident when the founder of the city of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh invited artisans from all over the country to come and settle in his new capital. Incentives were given and special areas were designated for their places of work and residence. As a result, Jaipur today is referred to as the crafts capital of the country and the city’s life seems to derive from the industry of gems and jewellery and large number of industries that deal in the arts and crafts.
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Bazaars
Jaipur’s bazaar, like those of Jodhpur and Bikaner, Udaipur, Kota and countless other towns, are a source of endless fascination. What has changed is patronage. The average Indian and foreign tourist are equal partners in the new boom in the business. And no longer are ateliers classical. Today’s bazaars accept folk art and jewellery, and have been successful in helping bridge the gap between traditional art and contemporary usage.
Tie-and-Dye Textiles
The traditional art of tie-and-dye textiles by dexterously knotting the material and dipping it in colour to form delicate bandhej patterns is found all over the state. Laheriyas or the delicately created patterns in waves are dyed mostly in Udaipur. Jodhpur, on the other hand, is famous for its pachranga or five-coloured bandhej on saris, odhnis, or mantles and safas or turbans. Jaipur’s Johari Bazaar has rows of shops dealing in tie-and-dye fabrics and saris. Also available all over Rajasthan are the fine self-check-weave cotton saris from Kota. These gossamer-fine saris, excellent for summer wear, are available in plain colours or printed in subtle floral patterns in soft pastel shades.
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Crafts of Jharkhand – Indian handicrafts
Jharkhand is known for its wood work, bamboo works, pitkar paintings, tribal ornaments and stone carving. The beautifully carved wood products and bamboo products show the craftsmanship of the people. Lack of promotion and marketing for these products has mostly resulted in extinction of some crafts like paitkar paintings and stone carvings.
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Wood Craft
Once a dense forest area, Jharkhand with the abundance of wood, resulted in the use this for creating variety of wood articles for household requirements. The artisans of the region were involved in beautifully designing different articles of household use. These include door panels, boxes and windows besides wooden spoons etc. These carved and designed articles are beautiful and has good market both in India and abroad.
Bamboo
The bamboo found in the Jharkhand forest are thin but flexible and strong. Using these, the artisans of Jharkhand produce different artifacts like basket, haunting and fishing equipment.
Paitkar Paintings
One of the oldest tribal paintings in India, these are also called scroll paintings due to its appearance, depicts life after death. This form of painting is in the process of extinction due to lack of funds for promoting it.
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Indian Handicrafts History
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Excavations have found inroads into very ancient times. Archeology has revealed the secrets preserved by the earth in its crust. Excavations of tools help us understand the nature of production and the aesthetic standards of the period to which they belong.
The particular period and appeal of a handicraft item can be gauged from the number of industries, technique of production, types of goods produced and materials used. This state reflects the aesthetic sense of the people, curvature of objects, lines, space, light and shades. An examination of the visual arts, such as sculpture, paintings and terra-cotta unveil the element of art. Not all crafts were produced for daily needs.
Tools used today reflect the traditions of the early age, as old as the Stone Age. The rural and tribal artisans use processes and techniques inherited by them from their forefathers in the creation of their crafts. Though the tools used in that age were mainly for survival purposes, the making of these tools required considerable amount of skill.
The Stone Age man adopted the ‘hammer stone’ method to make flake tools. This require striking the mass stone near the edge at an angle of 120 degrees with the convex surface of a water worn pebble selected as hammer stone. This was perfected and put to use in the making of hand axes. Tools are a very important component of this art. This is the beginning of the age long tradition of handicrafts.
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Crafts of Bihar – Indian handicrafts
Elegance in Simplicity
Introduction
There is fastidiousness behind every task that the craftsmen of Bihar undertake. The crafts have never veered from their user-friendly motto. The hands behind each craft are tinted with an understanding that their work is no idle pleasure, either for them or their clientele.
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The emerald paddy fields and cluster of village homes, ringed around the sombre waters of the village pond, are not the highlights of a watercolour. Within the courtyards of these dwellings, the women ‘layer’ material for Soojini Embroidery work, underwriting the many motifs and moods that dictate the arts and crafts of Bihar.
Instead of establishing an assembly line production technique, the craft continues to be a women’s domain who popularise their own crop of legends, natural ambience, and traditional uses. That is why the crafts of Bihar wear a rugged and authentic look for the papier-mâché is not polished to a sophisticated gloss, or the stoneware made into a punch bowl or the soojini stitch mass produced. Yet the craft has undergone changes brought on by a process of assimilation into the world at large.
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All India Handicrafts Board
The All India Handicrafts Board was originally set up in 1952 to advise the Government on problems of handicrafts and to suggest measures for improvement and development. The Board was also required to study technical, marketing, financial, organizational, artistic and other aspects of handicrafts and to formulate plans on these lines. Its function also included advice and assistance to the state Governments for planning and executing schemes for the development of handicrafts.
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Crafts of Delhi – Indian handicrafts
Introduction
Crafts create mirror images of society. Any change in the lifestyle of its people affects their craft. So when the Mughal emperors decided to withdraw the royal patronage during Delhi’s declining years, many crafts went through a period of lull. Some survived, others lost in the mists of time.
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Shahjahanabad, Old Delhi as it is called today, is the richest of the legacies: not only because it is the closest to us chronologically but also because the Mughals were great patrons of arts and crafts. An important craft that developed during the time was ivory carving. But then came the ban on ivory. The skilled craftsmen had no option but change their raw material: they started using bones of buffaloes and camels instead of ivory. Go to Matia Mahal’s Pahadi Bhojla and you will find umpteen shops of jewellers who fashion beautiful bangles and necklaces out of bone.
Creating magic with golden thread embroidery or euphoria with semi-precious stones, there are the zardozis in the neighbourhood. Zardozi is the art of embroidery with gold thread. These craftsmen work intricate designs on silk, velvet, and even tissue materials. Insignias, pulpit covers, embroidery on the robes of bishops and even the Pope are all created here.
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History of Indian Handicrafts
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For centuries Indian handicrafts have been distinguished for their great aesthetic and functional value. In ancient times, the shilpis conceptualized the intricate designs and patterns, which were crafted painfully into the temples and the objects associated with them. Apart from the temples, other handicraft items too have gained immense popularity.
Handicraft items that were patronized by the Mughal royalty show a remarkable refinement of workmanship. In these crafts the designs were very often influenced by the court paintings and miniature art derived from Persian or indigenous sources. These designs are evident in the Indian carpets, brocades, papier mache, stone inlay and so on.
Traditionally, the artists prepared the designs on paper which were subsequently executed by the craftsmen. The designs were assigned to different craftsmen according to their
abilities and skill. Thus the designer or master craftsman visualized the complete design indicating the details of form, color distribution and proportion to be realized by various specialists.
The rules of iconography were written down in the ancients scriptures, namely the Shilpa Shastra. The master craftsman would first visualize the image in a particular representation, according to the rules of iconography laid down in the scriptures on stone craft, and prepare initially a model in wax or clay. This would later be cast by craftsmen, while the master craftsman executed the finer work. This combination of design ability and technical skills was a part of our craft tradition. There are however, many crafts where the craftsman both designs and executes the products himself.
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Enduring Traditions of Arunachal Pradesh – Indian handicrafts
Introduction
While the genesis of the development of the varied crafts of Arunachal Pradesh lays in the tribal urge to meet their daily requirements, these crafts have come as a godsend to them in modern times-as a source of valuable income. The traditional handicrafts of the state are much in demand within the country as well as abroad, where they have gained popularity. Of the handicrafts of Arunachal the most important is bamboo and cane craft followed by handloom weaving, woodcarving and carpentry, ivory and metal crafts, and pottery and blacksmithy.
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Bamboo and cane craft
Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its cane and bamboo crafts practised throughout the state by its tribes at the household level. The heavy rainfall and temperate climate has assured an abundance of bamboo and cane in the region over the ages. It is not surprising then that the tribal population came to depend on these materials almost exclusively for constructing their dwellings, utensils, furniture, and even weapons such as bows and arrows, spears, armour, and implements like dibbles, hunting and fishing traps.
Apart from these traditional uses, bamboo and cane are crafted dexterously into colourful basket mats, cane belts, attractive smoking pipes, combs, and a variety of household tools and implements. The newcomer to this state will find the use of bamboo as water carriers, spoons, mugs, plates and jugs and trays made of this ‘wonder shoot’-a welcome transition from the mundane world of plastic and metal cutlery and crockery!
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All India Handicrafts Board
The All India Handicrafts Board assisted the state governments in setting up their Design and Technical centers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Manipur, Tripura, Haryana, West Bengal and Goa. In these centers, craftsmen and the artists jointly work out new designs and items in selected crafts.
These artists strive to combine the traditional with modern. The handicraft items are carefully made so that they retain the ethnic value, while they can be put to modern day use. The designers have to keep in mind the changing needs of the consumers, especially the foreign markets. High priced goods are at times an obstacle to their sale. Moreover, imitation products are cheaper and easily available.
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Indian Handicrafts
Indian Handicrafts are distinguished for their aesthetic value and myriad designs. They have been perfected over centuries. Interestingly the tools used today were in use as early as the Stone Age. Excavations have revealed a whole world of techniques and designs followed by our ancestors, and they remain unmatched to date.
The pottery of Neolithic age reflects remarkable development of craftsmanship in it is painting and design work. Through the centuries, Indians have woven a rich tradition of such splendor and aesthetic beauty, that Indian handicrafts have become one of the most sought after art objects of the world.
The development of tools and processes in handicrafts is a delicate area. The traditional methods are backed by centuries of expertise. However, processes with slight mechanization should be introduced which might make easy the preparation of the basic form, on which the decorations are done.
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