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Metal
Craft
 The former domain of the Nawabs of Avadh produces an extensive range of gold and silver plated articles in a multitude of patterns. The designs resembling these are found in Kashmir. Owing to the strong Islamic influences, most of the articles are highly ornamented, with
reposse work depicting hunting and jungle scenes and floral motifs.
Uttar Pradesh
comes first among the states in India, for the multitude of its cast and sculptured mythological images and emblemata in brass and copper as well as household utensils.
Some of the most beautiful and interesting metal ware of India for daily as well as ceremonial purposes are crafted in Kashmir, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Birdi, a form of surface ornamentation, takes its name from the city of Bidar situated north-west of Hyderabad. The work is in black
color which never fades and is relieved with silver and gold inlay. In Lucknow the art
of manufacturing bidri is believed to have been introduced from the time of the Nawabs of Avadh. The Emperor at Delhi bestowed on them the dignity of the (Mahi Murattib) Lucknow bidri, therefore, abounds in fish motifs, flora & fauna and vine leaf patterns.
Pottery
The craftsmen of Khurja in Uttar Pradesh have evolved a style of their own by raising the pattern with the use of thick slips into a light relief. Glazes in warm shades of autumnal
colors like orange, brown, and light red have also been developed by them. Floral designs in sky-blue are worked against a white background.
Rampur surahis (water pots) are noted for their uniform green-blue glazes with plain surfaces, the base being prepared from red clay. Excellent water containers are made in
Meerut and Hapur which stand out with their striking designs of flowing lines and floral patterns, often capped by wired shaped spouts.
Alwar, Jaipur and Bikaner of Rajasthan are famed for these products.
Kangra in Himachal is rich in clay wares while Khanapur, in Belgaum district of Karnataka is noted for its large sized containers and jars.
Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujarat are known for their beautiful earthen ware.
Terracotta
Literally meaning baked earth, Indian baked ware of the southern region like large sized containers, jars, stools, dresses, tiles etc have a traditional stamp on
them. Beautiful pottery and other ware made of ceramic, is also one of India's famous buys of the states of Rajasthan. It is produced in intriguing white-glazed
color with hand-painted blue-flower designs.
Stone Craft & Marble Inlay
Work
Hamirpur district in Uttar Pradesh has nurtured a sizeable stone carving industry with its rich deposits of beautiful soft stone. The stone is many
colored with the predominance of a lovely red shade. Marble is also used, especially for making statues.
Agra is world famous for its superb inlay work in Marble.
Vrindavan near Mathura has marble as well as alabaster products.
Midnapur in West Bengal is an important traditional area for stone ware and the major
center is Simulpur. Tamil Nadu has a great tradition in stone carvings of icons of classical excellence and Rajasthan may be called the land of marble with its stones in various
colors and textures.
Wood Craft
Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh is known for its carvings in hard
sheesham and particularly for its famous vine-leaf patterns.
Mainpuri in UP is known for its wood work in laid with brass wire on abony or black sheesham. The states of Jammu & Kashmir, UP, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala have developed distinctive styles of wood carvings. Rajasthan is noted for its carved sandal wood and rose wood.
Wood Lackquering
Varanasi is famous for lacquered toys and miniature kitchen utensils for children to play with.
Precious and Semi Precious
Stones
India is renowned for the manufacture and export of costume jewellery. Varanasi is famous for its glass beads made from fused glass rods , while
Purdilpur is famous for black glass beads. Mathura is noted for lovely glass beads, stringing glass and wooden beads in necklaces together with
Rudhraksha (sacred beeds associated to Lord Shiva) and Tulsi (basil) in a variety of interesting
combinations. German Silver jewellery is made in Agra while Meerut produces exquisite metal
jewellery. Silver ornaments are especially popular in Rajasthan while Karnal in Haryana produces hollow silver beads. Maharashtra is famous for graceful head ornaments.
Tribal Jewellery
They can be availed in exotic hues and patterns in the states of Rajasthan, UP, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam,
Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Shell bracelets of West
Bengal, especially filigreed gold bracelets will capture your heart.
Textiles
Varanasi is famous for brocade or
Kinkab (superb weaving in gold and silver) and
Tanchoi sari. Mysore, Kanchipuram,
Murshidabad and Kashmir are well known for silk
saris while Bengal and Madhya Pradesh are famous for the cotton
saris and silk maheshwaris respectively. In the embroidery category the chicken work of Lucknow patterned on lace is delicately, is quite
popular. Hand Block printing in India is the chief occupation of the
Chhipas, a community of printers. In this line the ethnic prints of Kashmir and Rajasthan are famous. The
Kashmiri Shikara dress or Rajasthnai Ghagra and
Choli, are cherishing costumes with Indian ladies.
Furniture
Rajasthan is famous for Patra furniture-white metal which is intricately carved and
engraved. Lac furniture from Gujarat is exquisite in variety and embellished with workmanship called
Sankheda.
Carpets
The main centers of exquisite are from Bhadohi, Agra, Amritsar, Jaipur, Gwalior and Kashmir.
Wall Paintings
India has many traditional styles of Wall paintings. The
main styles are:
Phad paintings
Phad paintings are predominantly yellow, red and green
colored long scrolls carried by the Bhopas, itinerant
balladeers of Rajasthan. Phads are now also available in smaller panels
portraying single incidents or characters from the epic.
Mughal Miniature Paintings
The art is still alive and popular in Rajasthan and Uttar
Pradesh. They depict the events and life style of the Mughals in their
magnificent palaces.
Madhubani
The wall paintings of Madhubani are the exalted expressions of the women
of Madhubani, Bihar. |
