India’s handicraft goods are various and separate from each other. From the Dokra tribal jewellery for West Bengal to the gemstone paintings of Jaipur’s artisans, India’s handicraft goods vary greatly from each other. Handicraft goods are valued and sought after by connoisseurs both in India and overseas by artisans from areas as distinct as the northeastern part of India or the down south.
India’s handicraft goods vary from each other. India’s art items vary from each other in the painting of gems from West Bengal to Dokara tribal jewellery. Artisans from the north-eastern part of India or areas below the south enjoy handicraft goods and demand them both in India and abroad.
It is possible to classify the various handicraft products of India under the following heads, the handicraft objects are made of a variety of things such as wood, stone, metal, glass, cane & bamboo, and pottery.
Handlooms and Textiles
Handlooms and textile products range from textile design pieces to home furnishing products.
Jewelry (Best Handicraft Products)
The jewellery items range from exquisite tribal jewellery to beaded, brass, lacquer, and silver jewellery from the handicraft industry in India. Jewelry boxes are also in vogue and widely created with intricate tribal work.
Shoes and Apparels
Clothing and accessories for ladies and gents with a distinctive traditional flavour are also produced by artisans from all over the world and constitute a large part of the artisanal products of India.
The Carpets
Over the years, Indian carpets have evolved as an art form. Over the years, these woolen or silk coverings have been in vogue and contribute extensively to the foreign earnings of India.
Products in Leather (Best Handicraft Products)
Over the years , India’s artisan craftsmen have used leather, a commodity liked by people around the world, to make boots, bags, belts, clothes and other home accessories.
Paintings(Best Handicraft Products)
Miniature paintings and folk art paintings are the expression of an artisan in pictorial form and have been an integral part of India’s craft products for a long time.
Garments
In the international market , Indian clothing with its exquisite design and embroidery has long been a favourite. With his intricate artwork, India’s textile industry conquered the world market. The Indian garment industry is thriving worldwide with a wide variety of fabrics and richness in their design.
Items from Paper (Best Handicraft Products)
India’s paper industry has always competed in the export market and has a good place in the world to a considerable extent. The industry is sure to enjoy its favourable position in the market with various types of paper products such as paper bags, table accessories and decorative products.
Furniture
India’s furniture items also share a substantial favouritism in the world export market. A good market place is held by beautifully built beds, stools, cabinets, tables , chairs, mirror frames, home temples, sofa sets.
Zardozi
Zardozi embroidery work includes creating intricate patterns, along with studded pearls and precious stones, using gold and silver threads. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, elaborate patterns in gold are made from silk, velvet and even tissue materials. The embroidery was initially performed with pure silver wires and authentic leaves of gold.
Pashmina shawls
A fine form of wool is Pashmina. Second, the textiles were woven in Kashmir. These shawls are made of a fine form of cashmere wool and are then transported to the Kashmir valley in northern India, where they are processed entirely by hand. All steps, from combing and spinning to weaving and finishing, are carried out by dedicated artisans and women entirely by hand. The old district of Srinagar is the main centre of Pashmina fabric development. 180 hours is the total craft time put into making a single Pashmina shawl. They come in lovely, vivid colours and have outstanding embroidery on them, and they can keep you warm at the same time and are known for their softness as well.
Woodwork
The northern states of India have a rich woodworking heritage. The Punjab area is renowned for its beautiful wooden furniture. Kashmir is renowned for its walnut-tree objects. In wooden crafts such as masks, doors, window frames and sculptures, the artisans of Chhattisgarh specialise. Jharkhand is renowned for its wooden toys that often come in pairs. Goa’s woodcarvings are an architectural fusion of cultures from Portugal and India, and the designs are mainly floral, animal and human figures. Endowed with abundant forests, woodwork in South India is a common art.
It is achieved mostly with rosewood and sandalwood. Red sandalwood from Andhra Pradesh is used in different designs to make cutlery, dainty boxes and paper knives. Madurai (a town in Tamil Nadu), is famous for its carvings of rosewood. Karnataka is renowned for beautiful rosewood elephants, pictures and furniture. Sandalwood is often used to create useful and decorative objects that are carved with flowers, creepers, birds, and animal designs. Magnificent female figurines are made in Kerala out of Kumbli wood.
Pottery
Of all the arts, pottery is considered to be the most sensual medium. Since the time of the Harappan Civilisation in India, the tradition of handmade pottery has flourished. North India is also known for different kinds of pottery designs, ranging from colours in Uttar Pradesh to black and dark red in Himachal Pradesh, such as orange, brown and light red. Bikaner is popular in Rajasthan for its painted pottery, Pokhran for its geometrical patterned pottery, and Alwar for its Kagzi pottery. Jaipur ‘s blue pottery is also very popular. In the art traditions of India, the potter occupies a unique role.
Leather
Ancient sages and ascetics illustrate the age-old convention of leather skills in India. Leather has not only been used in clothing and boots in the past, but also in hats, shoes, saddles, shields, etc. India is internationally renowned for its leather goods. Madhya Pradesh is also renowned for its production of leather. Various leather objects, such as shoes , bags and clothes, are made. Maharashtra is also renowned for its Kolhapuri chappals, called leather shoes.
Jute
Jute artisans have developed a worldwide role in the field of jute craftsmanship. Packs, office stationery, bangles and other jewellery, boots, wall-hangings and many more are part of the wide variety of jute crafts. India is a centre for jute handicrafts and people from around the world visit the fairs for jute handicrafts to purchase these works of excellence. As the leading jute producers, West Bengal , Assam and Bihar are the pilot markets for jute crafts in India.
Shell (Best Handicraft Products)
Are there three types of shell manufactured in India from which shell handicrafts are manufactured? Shells of conch, tortoiseshell and seashell. The products of shell handicrafts include different kinds of products such as bangles, forks, decorative cups, lockets, curtains, chandeliers, mirror frames, table mats, etc. In general, places such as the Gulf of Mannar, Goa, Odisha, etc. situated on the seashore are the places for shell handicraft, and these art pieces are found here in abundance at a lower price.
Brass Handicrafts
Brass is respected for its toughness and when used as handicrafts, this attribute contributes to its advantage. Even today , various brass objects such as the figure of Lord Ganesha in various postures, vases, table tops, perforated lamps, ornament boxes, wine glasses, and many more are commonly used in many Indian homes. Such artisans working with brass handicrafts are known as “Kansaris” distinctly. The production of brass handicrafts is done primarily in Rajasthan.
Bamboo Handicrafts (Best Handicraft Products)
The most eco-friendly crafts made in India are handicrafts that are crafted using bamboo. Baskets, dolls, toys, chairs, mats, wall-hangings, crossbows, jewellery boxes and many more are the different things made from bamboo. In West Bengal, Assam and Tripura, bamboo handicrafts are largely prepared.
Overall, we can see that each area of India is endowed with unique craftsmanship that adds charm to the state and the nation as a whole. The craft tradition has developed over centuries, and there is a search for creativity and imagination that continues to give a modern look to each craft, while retaining the heritage and culture of India at the same time.
Phulkari
Phulkari embroidery technique literally means flower work from the Punjab region and Haryana, which was once used as the term for embroidery, but the term? To Phulkari? Embroidered shawls and head scarves have been limited. It is a kind of embroidery with complex designs created by vertical , horizontal and diagonal stitches, all this work is done on cotton khaddarh with white or yellow silk floss and starts on the fabric called “chashm-e-bulbul” from the middle and spreads to the whole fabric. They are colourful and light. This embroidery is integrated into their garments by some contemporary fashion designers, and its use has spread to coats, bags, cushion covers, table-mats, shoes, slippers, juttis, and kids.
Saree (Best Handicraft Products)
Saree or Saris is a fabric that women wrap around the waist and drape one end over the shoulder from about 4.5 metres to 8 metres. Eastern India is also renowned for its silk saris, namely West Bengal’s Baluchari saris and Assam’s Mooga and Assam silk. Their saris come in different colours and are very rich and magnificent in appearance. Banarasi sarees are among India’s finest sarees and are renowned for their brocade or zari gold and silver, fine silk and opulent embroidery.
A household practise in rural South India is weaving saris. Tamil Nadu is famous for the Saris of Kanchipuram. A modern look with less motifs and by adding new colours was given to the traditional Kanchipuram saris. Andhra Pradesh is renowned in Gadwal and Kothakota for cotton saris with rich golden borders and thick pallus. Cotton saris are made of dark earthy colours in Karnataka. Irkal is Karnataka ‘s unique sari, dominated by rich colours such as pomegranate red, peacock blue, and parrot orange. Maharashtra is well-known for its Paithani Saris.
Clay handicrafts (Best Handicraft Products)
Clay pottery is thought to be one of India’s oldest types of craftsmanship. Terracotta, red, black and grey pottery are various types of clay pottery. For their painted black wares, Uttar Pradesh and the Northeast are popular.
Besides this, Krishnanagar also produces home decor products made of clay in West Bengal, Bikaner, Lucknow, Pune and Himachal Pradesh. From lovely terracotta planters or clay serving utensils, you can choose.
Brass handicrafts
Brass offers a durable and robust decor alternative. There are so many handicrafts made of brass and display pieces, such as vases, table tops, wall art, lamps, boxes of ornament, dishes, bowls and figurines. For gifting purposes during the festive season, a number of brass items are used.
Brass ware manufacturing is primarily done in Rajasthan. True brass tends to oxidise easily when exposed to sunlight, so ensure that a clear lacquer coating has been given to the brass product you are purchasing. To keep the shine intact and prevent any tarnishing, any brass product would have to be polished daily.
Dhokra Handicrafts (Best Handicraft Products)
One of the oldest types of handicraft is Dhokra. In Madhya Pradesh, this tribal handicraft originated. West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa are the other states where Dhokra handicrafts are made.
At most art and craft fairs across the world, Dhokra jewellery, candle stands, pen stands, ash trays, horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, religious pictures, measuring bowls and other exhibition pieces are available. Dhokra cast metal and ironware have a robust dynamism about it. In every corner of your house, it looks amazing.
Paper handicrafts (Best Handicraft Products)
The art of hand cutting designs on paper is called Sanjhi, another beautiful and very intricate paper art. Though it is also practised in Rajasthan , Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, it is an art typical of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Motifs from the Krishna storeys are typically created in stencil and used during festive seasons to decorate spaces or are used to fill in with colours in water and on temple floors. They can be framed and mounted as wall art, or they can be used in the house to embellish furniture or floors or walls.
Mirror handicrafts
The embroidery for shisha or mirror work requires adding small pieces of mirror to cloth, wood or metal. Using this craft, a range of home decor items are made, such as cushion covers, bed spreads, wall art, pen stands, trays, etc. Products designed for mirror work render bright and warm products. Torans or door hangings made with shisha work are expected to ward off bad luck or bad eyes in parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Kalamkari handicrafts (Best Handicraft Products)
Kalamkari is a primarily Andhra Pradesh traditional art. It is the art of hand painting on cotton textiles or block printing on them. There are two types of Kalamkari art-one where a kalam or pen is used for the subject’s free hand drawing and colour filling-this one is entirely hand-worked. The other one used block printing for decorative floral designs along with hand painting.
Kalamkari uses natural dyes and has a number of painful processes involved. The fabric is then used to manufacture various items such as coasters, picture frames, papers, file covers, frames of wall art, etc.
Places to India to shop for the handicraft products
Artisans and craftsmen have been valued for their excellence in different styles of handicrafts since the days of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The practise persisted long into mediaeval and colonial times, and to this day it continues to flourish. Indian crafts have often been highly sought after, from jewellery and pottery to furniture and textiles. Tourists visiting India, as well as its people, are always enamoured of its superb crafts. Nevertheless, some, if not all, consider the best places to buy unique crafts in India quite a challenge. Looking for places that sell authentic handicrafts is an even bigger challenge. Of course, you wouldn’t want to waste your hard-earned cash on fake things masquerading as real, would you? We’ll tell you in this blog where you can place your hands on genuine and exquisite handicrafts.
Kripal Kumbh in Jaipur
Make your way to Kripal Kumbh, a small showroom in Jaipur’s Bani park, when travelling to Rajasthan in West India. Kripal Singh Shekhawat, a famous artist of the time, set up this showroom in the 1960’s. During the 19th century, blue pottery is believed to have made its way to Jaipur from Kashmir under the rule of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He was so fascinated by its nature and presentation that at all art schools he believed it should be taught. Today, the showrooms showcase a range of designs for pottery, both classical and modern. From trays to animal figures, you can purchase a wide range of blue pottery pieces here.
Must Art gallery in Delhi
In the posh Panchsheel Park area of Delhi, the Must Art Gallery showcases Indian handicrafts belonging to the group of the Gond (one of the tribes belonging to central and south central India). Maybe this art gallery is the first of its kind in India to showcase tribal art by Gond. Paintings belonging to other styles such as patachitra, madhubani, roghan, kalighat, bhil, gond, baiga and kalamkari are also seen here, in addition to tribal art belonging to the Gond group.
Sambhali boutique in Jodhpur
The Sambhali Boutique is operated and operated by the Sambhali Trust, based in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is an NGO that provides underprivileged women with job opportunities while promoting the region’s traditional crafts. Shoulder bags, curtains, block printed scarves and silk pieces of different kinds are some of the products you might expect to come across in this boutique. All the clothes sold at the boutique are made from cotton fabric sourced locally. You have the opportunity to position your personalised orders as well!
Kala Madhyam in Bengalore
There are many aspects that make Karnataka one of South India’s most-visited holiday destinations. One of them is beautiful crafts, and Kala Madhyam in Bangalore is one of the places where you can buy them. It aims to enhance livelihoods by supporting and promoting traditional art and craft with branches throughout India. A large range of exhibits are housed at the Kala Madhyam Store, from handicrafts and wall murals to tribal paintings.
Conclusion
Overall, we can see that each area of India is endowed with unique craftsmanship that adds charm to the state and the nation as a whole. The craft tradition has developed over centuries, and there is a search for creativity and imagination that continues to give a modern look to each craft, while retaining the heritage and culture of India at the same time.
