Handicrafts of India Through The Ages

The crafts of India are diverse, rich in history ,culture and religion. The craft of each state in India reflect the influence of different empires. Throughout centuries, crafts have been embedded as a culture and tradition within rural communities.

Handicraft is about processing materials by hand with hand tools. The results can be helpful things or decorative things. The materials utilized in the product are natural, industrially processed or maybe recycled. The models of the product are ancient, revised traditional or fashionable. Handicraft is deeply frozen in society and contributes to preserving and sending traditions. In their product, artisans transfer an area of their cultural heritage in ideas, forms, materials and work ways, similarly as their own values, philosophy of life, fashion and self-image. Craftspeople, conjointly known as artisans, possess technical data of materials and work ways. They’re skilled employees whose profession relies on manual skills. Their main tools are the power of work strategies and their manual skills.

Indian tribal craft is an astounding section in modern Indian times, which slowly has taken in a cosmopolitan appearance. The final get-up that such tribal crafts receive to adorn and deck sophisticated Indian city homes, can perhaps only be described after a thorough admiration. Indian tribal crafts are available in every area of decoration and embellishment, with numerous irresistible choices, heightening one`s urge to buy tribal goods. Indian tribal crafts verily mirror the lives of their users, their food and its source, their observances to pacify indefinite forces, which incorporate their arts and crafts, music and dance. Some of the numerous tribal crafts manufactured in India include: Antiques, Art, Baskets, Paper Mache, Ceramics, Clock Making, Embroidery, Block Printing, Decorative Painting, Glass Work, Fabric, Furniture, Gifts, Handmade Home Décor Accents, Jewelry, Leather Crafts, Metal Crafts, Paper Crafts, Pottery, Puppets, Stone and Wood Works. It is wholly expressed through art and reflects its use in their crafts. Indian tribal craft is generally ritualistic, rubbing off a distinct line between the artist and the art lover.

Indian handicrafts is an art of making crafts by hand in India is called Indian handicrafts, in ancient India people lived in colonies called tribal and they were used to make utility items for their daily need, that art of making the crafts called handicrafts, and the items called handicrafts goods. Then people started selling these products in the local markets “haat”. Time has been passed and people have become more developed and civilized in all aspects, those who were making handicraft products have started trading their makings by increasing demand and population.
The artisans of the different Indian state depicts their culture and tradition through handicrafts:

Saharanpur (Wood works)
Saharanpur is located in Uttar Pradesh, famous for its wood carving industry. The city produces some of the world’s best wood work. At Saharanpur wooden industry, the items are crafted from the woods of the Sheesham, Dudhi and Sal trees. On demand, they also procure and work with Teak, Mahogany and Ebony.

Sometimes the artisans infuse metal and tiles to make the wooden handicrafts appealing and charming. The artisans give a unique finish to every handicraft. Some of the traditional Indian Handicrafts craft at Saharanpur are religious idols, furniture, cupboards, tables, trays, artefacts and wood carved mirrors. And, the other number of tiny wooden toys are carved key chains, vases and boxes.

Assam (Terracotta works)
The term ‘Terracotta’ has derived from Latin and Italian words. The Terra which is a Latin word means ‘earth’ or ‘soil’ whereas cotta is an Italian word means ‘statue’. The Assamese artisans are famous for crafting terracotta handicrafts with soil, mud and clay. Back in the day, the Assamese artisans are highly focused to craft spiritual idols. The Dhubri village in the Goalpara district of Assam occupies the prime location to craft many terracotta handicrafts such as dolls, tables, vases, pots and much more.

Gujarat (Textile handicrafts and fabrics)
Gujarati Handicrafts are famous for their mirror work and heavy colourful designs which give them a funky and tribal vibe. Here one will get different styles of handcrafted clothes, one of the significant trends is brocade, in which gold thread is woven onto the borders of fabrics. Other traditional designs are the stylized parrots, flower borders, tree motifs, mango motifs etc.

Another favorite trend of Gujarat is Bandhani; it is a tie and dye work. The tie and dyed fabric is trendy in India and known as Bandhej. It is considered as one of the finest handcrafted fabric in the world. Gujarat is popular for their big mirror works. The mirror work can also be seen on boxes and fabric.

South India (Coconut craft, Mask making, Silk weaving)
The South Indian state or union territory is famous throughout the world for crafting beautiful Handicraft Items.

The Karnataka state is known for Wood Carvings, Stone and Ivory Carvings and Sandalwood Handicrafts. The state of Tamil Nadu is known for Kanjeevaram silk sarees, fine mats, objects made from palm leaves and Palmyra fibers, brass and bronze statues, metal ware, hand woven clothes, cotton and silk fabrics, stone sculptures and beautiful jewelry.

The Kerala is popular for lace garments, embroidery work, snake boats made of ivory, gold and silver jewelry, spices, bamboo mat paintings, wood carvings, metal idol figurines, sandalwood sculptures, Kathakali dolls, Kathakali masks and doll making. The Southern Union Territory is famous for perfumed candles, incense sticks, handmade paper, pottery, leather items, pickles, jams and Khadi garments.

Kashmir (Woolen Handicrafts)
Kashmir is a beautiful land famous for its amazing landscapes, sightseeing and mind numbing splendor. The Shawls of Kashmir are globally famous for their finish and softness. One of the famous Kashmiri Shawl is Jamavar. Jamavar shawls are made of brocaded woolen fabrics, sometimes in pure wool and sometimes blended with cotton.

Another favorite Shawl of Kashmir is Pashmina shawls. These shawls are soft and woven from the hairs of the rare species. Another favorite Shawl is Shahtoosh shawls which are woven with the down hair of the Tibetan antelope and are renowned for their lightness, flexibility and warmness.

And when it comes to the handwoven carpets then Kashmir carpets are world-renowned for two reasons: 

• All carpets are handmade
• Kashmiri carpets are never knotted tufted.

Rajasthan (Gems, Precious Stones, Jewellery, Leather, Paintings, Silver, Brass)
The art and craft of Rajasthan are known around the world. Every city of Rajasthan has a unique selling point. Be it a Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Pushkar, Bundi, Shekhawati or any other city. One appealing thing which makes Rajasthan a worth to visit, i.e. Rajasthan Handicraft market. Rajasthan is the largest producer of handicraft items in India.

The famous handicrafts of Rajasthan include:

Textile
Handmade Jewelry
Carpets & Durries
Blue Pottery
Wooden Furniture
Rajasthan Quilts
Mojaris/Jutis
Marble Handicrafts
Ivory
Rajasthani Paintings
Hand crafted items – wood, ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver and gold and much more
Precious and Semi-Precious Stones and gemstones.