Handloom and Handicraft

  Assam is a state of mineral resources. Assam is primarily known for its 150 years old tea industry which is an integral place in the economy. It is industrially backward as it has few agro-based and mineral-based industries. Although, Assam has maintained a rich tradition of various crafts for more than two thousand years. Major Traditional crafts of Assam are Cane and Bamboo craft, bell metal and brass craft, silk and cotton weaving, toy and mask making, pottery and terracotta work, Woodcraft, musical instruments, jewelry making, etc. Metal craft of Assam is the second-largest and the oldest craft after handloom and textile in Assam. Bell Metal craft has been getting socio-cultural and religious importance over centuries. Sarthebari, a place located in Barpeta district, Assam is home to Bell Metal Industry. This craft dates back to the 7th century. Craft existed from the time of Kumarbhaskarvarman, the king of the Varman Dynasty. When the Kumar of eastern India gifted drinking...

  Meenakari is the art of enameling the surface of any metal with colors. The word Meenakari is divided into two parts, Meena means ‘enamel’ and the word Kari means ‘art’. Thus this art is called Meenakari means ‘art of enameling’. It is one of the ancient arts found in the history of India. This art was introduced by Persian craftsmen and ultimately spread to other countries by Mongolians. This Shahi art was then flourished in Jaipur around the 16th century by Raja Man Singh who invited some artisans from Lahore. Artisans gave the art set of Indian flavor and explicit look. The close alliance of Mughal and Rajputs leads to the flourishing time of Meenakari. Now , Jaipur is the center of traditional Meenakari art and has its own distinctive way of metal decorating style in India. It is very rare that artisans share knowledge of Meenakari with outsiders. It is only passed from generation to generation. To make Meenakari designs a high degree of skill is required. The process of i...

  Patola is famous hand woven silk sarees from Patan district of Gujarat.  Patola is double Ikat weaving style which makes it one of the most popular sarees of India. The name Patola is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Pattakulla', which is the plural form of the Gujarati word Patolu. Patola weaving is the most complicated technique of weaving in the world as it follows the double Ikat style for the warp and weft yarns. These yarns are dyed according to a pre-designed set of patterns. The Patola of Patan has also received its Geographical Indication Certificate in 2013.   The Art of Patola Weaving is very ancient as it was known in the 4 th century in “Ajanta” Caves, which resembles the tie-dyes technique of Patola. Artisan of the Salvi caste from Maharashtra and Karnataka came to  Patan due to the special request of Raja Kumar Pal in 1143AD. The king used to wear Patola daily for worship as he was following Jainism under the guidance of Kalikal Sarvgagna Hemch...

Lambani is one of the Banjara Tribe. Banjara means the people who wonder in jungle and forest who sell forest produce in local villages. Lambani tribe moved from central Asia through Afghanistan or Kashmir into Rajasthan, Gujarat and South India. Amongst all tribes, Lambani’s outfits are most elegant and colorful in India. Lambani embroidery is one of the handicrafts of the Lambanis found in Sandur town of the Bellary district of Karnataka. Lambani embroidery is a unique combination of thread work and mirror craft, which used to made by Lambani women specifically as the traditional wear for their own wedding or gift to their daughter on their wedding. This art contains mirrors, shells, coins and embroidery craft which make it unique from another type of embroideries. Artisan of Lambani Embroidery Lambani Craft is done mostly in Cotton or Khadi fabrics which are bought from Tamil Nadu. These fabrics and yarn for embroidery are dyed with chemical or organic colors as per the design requi...

India is a treasure of traditional or culturally diverse art forms. India’s Folk painting is also part of the tradition and has a long history in Indian art. Some of the most famous Indian folk paintings are Warli paintings of Maharashtra, Madhubani of Bihar, Phad Paintings of Rajasthan, Kalamkari of Andhra Pradesh, Aipan of Uttarakhand, Pithora paintings of Gujarat, Gond and Mandala paintings of Madhya Pradesh, and Kalighat paintings of Calcutta, etc. Warli Art is best known and is very different from other Folk and Tribal paintings of India. While there are no records of the exact origins of this art, its roots may be traced to as early as the 10th century AD. Research suggests that the tribal are the propagators of a tradition that originated in the Neolithic period between 2,500 BC and 3,000 BC. Artisan making Warli Art on the Wall The word “Warli” comes from the word “Warla” which means “piece of land”. It is a culture of the Warli Tribe community. Warli Tribe resides in the mount...

Himachal is the land of snow with mountains and rich forests. Himachal is not only famous for its beauty but also for handmade products created by artisans. Art and craft of any region is a reflection of its tradition, environment and people. As Himachal has unfavorable climatic conditions and geographically difficult region so for people it’s difficult to remain outdoor for around six months. People utilize their time in weaving wool and other crafts. The craft of Himachal is shawls, carpet, paintings, leather works, woodworks, metalware, knotted socks, cap and woolen textiles which also attract tourists. From all craft, shawls are the most popular craft of this region. Handloom Weaving Woolen products of Himachal are most popular across the country and the international markets. People from different castes are engaged in weaving in Kullu, Himachal. Various kinds of woolen clothes are made by Himachal artisans like shawls, pattus, patties, lahang, etc. Every household has its own pit...

Cheriyal Scroll Paintings is a very old traditional painting of Telangana state. Cheriyal paintings are the pictorial presentation of scenes from Indian mythology. These paintings are practiced in Cheriyal village of Warangal district in the Telangana State. The presentation of this painting is narratives like film roles or comic books. Traditional folk singers and artists used to use this as a tool for visual presentation with harmonium, tabla and other instruments to narrate the story. Cheriyal paintings are stylized versions  of  Nakashi art (scrolls of narratives from mythology and folklore). The artisans have been identified by the ruler of the Kakatiya era and the Nizams around 400 years ago. Originally artisans used to work on Sawdust Masks, Toy making and Scroll painting skills, Now became popular as Cheriyal Painting. Cheriyal Painting on Indian Mythology Cheriyal scroll paintings depicting stories from Indian mythology and intimately tied to the shorter stories from ...

Silver Filigree also known as Tarkasi is more than 500 years old craft. It is traditionally done by the local artisans of Cuttack district, Orissa. In Odiya Language, Tara means Wire and Kasi means to design. Silver bricks are transformed into thin fine wires or foils and it used to create jewelry or showpiece out of it. Filigree has been traditionally associated with fine craftsmanship and luxurious design in classical jewelry. To members or stakeholders of the Indian jewelry industry hardly need any introduction of filigree. Historians have attributed the advancement and mastery of the filigree craft to Egyptians, Greeks and Etruscans around 6 BC to 3 BC. In Mesopotamia, filigree workmanship in silver and gold is prevalent today and their ‘Telkari’ jewelry is known for its delicate designs. However, archaeologists have dug up interesting evidence of a highly evolved filigree making technique dating 2 BC to 2 AD, from Peddabunkur, Kotlingala, Dhulikataand Kondapur in Andhra P...

Rogan is a conventional hand painting Art of Kutchh, Gujarat. It is an ancient skill originated in Persia and came down to Kutchh around 300 years ago. Rogan means oil-based in Persian as flower motifs and designs speak of Persian influence. This art was practiced in Baroda, Patan, Khavada of Kutch in Gujarat and Nasik of Maharashtra but now it is only done by Khatri communities of Nirona village in Kutchh. Rogan is a form of painting used to decorate the fabrics. Rogan painting is known for its technique and beauty which gives the impression of embroidery. Unlike other folk paintings of India, Rogan painting has not explored until now. Khatri the community of Kutchh is said to be a perfectionist in this art. This community has been engaged in this art for centuries and this technique has been passed from several generations. Only nine members of the Khatri communities are practicing this art. The eighth generation of the Khatri family has been practicing the ancient art....

Longpi pottery is known as Longpi Ham or Black pottery. The name Longpi pottery is derived from the Longpi village of Ukhrul district, Manipur. Tangkhul Naga tribe of Manipur is engaged in this activity of making beautiful pieces of earthenware. The majority of  villagers are engaged in making preparing handmade pots and household ware as it is an important occupation for them after agriculture. This pottery is known for its unique shapes and designs as well as its texture and metal-like appearance. Longpi pottery is used as kitchen utensils or decorative items in the household. Villagers either sell or make the pottery for their personal use. Longpi pottery is also called as ‘Royal Pottery’ because these craft items were only owned and used by the noble families of Manipur. People also use it for ritualistic purposes, owing to its link with the Goddess Panthobi and during childbirth or marriage ceremony. A Single village has around 400 households with just 200 art...