West India Handicrafts

West India Handicrafts

West India consists of the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and also the union territories of Daman & Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Western India is a highly industrialized region with huge population. The states of West India are a beautiful blend of diverse variety of culture and tradition. This is beautifully captured in the art and handicrafts of West India. The West India Handicrafts are famous for its variety and distinctness.

Goa is home to a variety of artistic handicrafts. The crafts work in Goa is the blend of Indian and Portugese culture. The handicraft work is also one of the prime sources of income for the local people in Goa. Some of the intricately beautiful handicraft and works of Goa are colorful masks, wooden toys, shopping bags, cotton bags, table mats, chandeliers, sea shell mirrors and idols, Brass and Terracotta articles, pottery, bamboo craft, wood carving, crochet and embroidery, seashell craft, papier-mache, wooden lacquer ware, fibre craft, coconut shell carving, jewelry etc.

Maharashtra bears a rich cultural background which is evident in the Maharashtra handicrafts. The crafts work of Maharashtra is famous for its variety. The forms of handicrafts prevalent in Maharashtra are Sawantwadi Crafts, Leather Works, Bidri Works, Weaving, Himru and Mashru fabrics, Paintings, etc. Some of the popular craft items are leather sandals, Paithani and Narayan Peth Saris, Ajanta Paintings, Warli Paintings, gorgeous jewelry etc.

Gujarat is the land of rich history and glorious culture which is depicted in the arts and crafts of the state. The ancient crafts have survived the test of time and are still practiced in many parts. Gujarat handicrafts are famous for its intricate work, use of color, artistic appeal and beautiful finish. Pottery is one of the oldest crafts in Gujarat. Mud wall paintings, plaques, terracotta figures, etc are some of the items made in Gujarat. Wooden furniture and wood articles are mostly made in South Gujarat. Minakari furniture, chairs, sofas paper eights, ornamental pieces are some of the items found in Gujarat. Among the delicate handicrafts practiced in Gujarat, one is embroidery. Wide variety of embroidery is done in Gujarat like the Bavalia, Banni, Rabari, Gold embroidery etc. The Zari work of Gujarat is very well known. Dhurries, blankets, rugs, carpets, silver jewelry, beautiful sheaths, hilts, knife and daggers, precious stones etc are some of the other craft products from Gujarat.

The art of mat weaving is popular in Daman whereas Diu is known for ivory carving and making tortoise shell. Dadra and Nagar Haveli are well-known for leather slippers, weaving of bamboo mats, making baskets etc.

A glance of the West India Handicrafts helps us in realizing that West India is brimming with a large number of talented small scale workers, the crafts and arts work of whom is famous not only in India but also around the world.

South India Handicrafts

South India Handicrafts

South India is a place endowed with rich tradition and culture which is manifested in the handicrafts of South India. Crafts work holds an important place in South India. South India Handicrafts, which has been an inseparable part of the people of South India, has been passed down by the experienced craftsman to the young generation for many years now.

Some of the states of South India which are famous for its crafts work are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry.

Karnataka is famous for traditional craft works like embroidered and decorated garments, ivory snake boats, jewelry, paintings like mat paintings and Mysore paintings, wood work, Kathakali dolls and masks, sandalwood articles, lamps etc. Mysore silk and therefore the silk products produced by the state of Karnataka are very popular all across the world.

Tamil Nadu handicrafts in the early times were highly influenced by the beautiful and rich temples that the state houses. The Tanjore paintings are the most important and popular crafts work of Tamil Nadu. Making musical instruments is also a major craft of the state. Some of the wonderful instruments produced by the craftsmen of the state are wooden Yaazh, veenas, thamburas, flute etc. Metal ware, jewelty, pottery, wood craft, stone carving etc are some of the interesting handicrafts of Tamil Nadu. Silk sarees, statues, fabrics, clothes are some of the excellent products of Tamil Nadu crafts work.

Kerala bears the art of making articles with ivory, palm leaves, bamboo, seashells, clay, coconut shells, metals, stone, wood etc. The crafts work of Kerala includes flower vases, ornamental plates, ash trays, jewel boxes, boats, idols, elephants, masks, embroidery works and many more fascinating items.

Pondicherry is known for its perfumed candles, handmade paper, incense sticks, pottery, pickles, leather items, jams, Khadi garments, fabrics, aromatherapy products etc.

East India Handicrafts

East India Handicrafts

Handicrafts have always held an integral position in the lives of Indians. Despite the speedy change in the technological and social scenario of the country, handicraft continues to be the source of income for the majority of the Indians. As in other parts of India, so in East India, crafts work has maintained its rich legacy and culture.

The states of East India comprise of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa. Feeling of creativity, originality and dexterousness is revealed in East India handicrafts.

Toy-making is the specialty of Jharkhand and West Bengal. Toupadana in Jharkhand is famous for making stunning wooden toys and the clay dolls of Krishnanagar in West Bengal are extremely popular. West Bengal is also known for its fascinating and gorgeous “Kantha” embroidery, and Tant and Baluchari sarees.

One of the famous handicrafts of East India is mask making prevalent in Jharkhand, Bihar, Purulia, and Orissa. Fierce mask of Jharkhand, chou mask of Purulia, painted wood masks from Orissa, “papier-mache” masks from Bihar are well known all across the country.

East India paintings have been the hotbed for many art movements in India. From the Patta paintings to modern day paintings of Nanda Lal Bose and Jamini Roy, East India have it all. The patta chitra is an ancient form of art in Orissa where mythological themes finds place. Scenes from Epics, local legends, folklore, Deities are depicted beautifully on the pattas.  Patua paintings in West Bengal are also well known.

A large number of gift items like wooden boxes, signs and plaques, wide variety of cards, magnets, key holders and rings, photo albums etc are beautifully created and hand finished by the craftsmen of East India.

East India has a huge and unique collection of jewelry items which are famous all across the globe for its beauty, rarity, glamour and exquisite taste.

Thus a glance at the East India handicrafts reveals that every state of Eastern India is famous for its exclusive craft work like Orissa for delicate silver work. While West Bengal for terracotta (terracotta horses), Jharkhand, with dense forests is known for woodwork that includes articles like boxes, door panels, wooden spoons, windows, etc. Bihar produces carpets, wood inlay and lacquer.

North India Handicrafts

North India Handicrafts

Handicraft or crafts works is a special form of work whereby the use of hands and simple tools leads to the birth of beautiful and useful decorative devices. The art of handicraft in India dates back to Indus Valley Civilization, from where it actually commenced and is continuing till date.

The North India Handicrafts which consists of the states of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh are popular for its aestheticism, attractive décor and usefulness. Let’s have a look at some of the popular handicrafts of North India.

• Embroidery and Textiles

North India has also been the source of textiles. Cotton is the main weaving material. Embroidery is among the major crafts work in North India. Phulkaris of Punjab and Rumals (handerkerchiefs) of Himachal Pradesh are famous all across India. Uttar Pradesh and Delhi is known for its delicate Chikankari and stunning Zardozi embroidery. Kashmir is popular for its conventional wool weaving. Kani shawls, kairy, talim etc are some varieties of shawls found in Kashmir. Strips and bands, bumba, chattam, trishul, gaddis, dohru, gudmas are some of the handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh. Bandhani which means “ties and dye” is a craft form of Rajasthan.

• Basket Ware

The states of North India have been flourishing on the agrarian economy. The availability of rattan cane, grasses, reeds, bamboo, palm leaf, etc has made basket ware a popular handicraft out there. The products range from tokras, tokris, containers, chhikus, kangri etc.

• Ivory Carving

Since Ivory is precious, its carving is confined to only few important centres in North India like Jaipu, Amritsar, Patiala and Hoshiarpur. Deities, boxes, combs, paper cutters, bangles are some of the ivory products produced in these areas.

• Carpet Weaving

Carpet weaving is another craft prevailing in North India. The maximum number of industries engaged in carpet weaving is located in Uttar Pradesh. While Punjab is well known for making durries, Jammu and Kashmir is famous for silk carpets like kashan, kirman, hamdaan, tabriz etc.

• Leather Work

Skins of animals like bull, cow, buffalo, goat etc are used in Northern India for making various leather products like bags, shoes, juttis, handbags, travel kits, coats, stoles, caps, purses, gloves etc.

• Pottery and Wood Work

Development of different types of pottery in the northern states of India over the time has made it appear as one of the handicrafts in the states. Every state has its own unique style and colour of pottery. Fancy water vessels, plates, pipe bowls, cups, huka stands, murtbans, bows etc are among the fascinating pottery products from North India.

The craft of wood work has been prominent in North India from times immemorial. Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Jalandhar, are popular for making exclusive wooden furnitures. Other famous wood products of the region are jewelry boxes, room dividers, bowls and trays etc.

Handicrafts of North India have been enjoying a rich tradition. Innovation and touch of both modernism and old culture is the mark of the fascinating crafts work of the north Indian people.