Handicrafts In India
Glassware
• First reference in Indian epic- Mahabaharata
• However, material evidence not give any indication of
glass beads in the early Harappan civilization
• Material evidence – glass beads- from painted Grey Ware
culture of the Ganges valley (C.1000BC)
• Kanch or kaca – term used in the vedic text called Satapatha
Bhahmana
• Archaeological evidence – in Brahmapuri and Kolhapur
(Maharashtra) – operational between 2 BC-2 AD
• Brahmapuri and Kolhapur produced specialized called
lenticular beads
• Reference of spectacles in the Sanskrit text- Vyasayocharita
• Maski - archaeological evidence of glass – is a Chalcolithic site in
Decan
• Other evidence found in Ahar (Rej.), Hastinapur and Ahichchatra
(U.P), Earn and Ujjain (M.P)
• Mughals gave patronage to the art and Utilized it as decoration in
their monuments like Sheesh Mahal
• Other glass items for Mughals were glass hukkas, perfume boxes or
ittardans and engraved glasses
Mughal Sheesh Mahal
Perfume Bottle
Glass Bottles
• Currently the many facts of glass industry include glass
bangles.
• Most exquisite ones are made in Hyderabad- called
Churi -ka -joda
• Firozabad- famous for glass Chandeliers and decorative
pieces
• Saharanpur (U.P)- for panchkora or glass toys for children
• Patna (Bihar)- Produces a peculiar kind of decorative
glass beads called Tikuli
• Still worn by the Santhal tribes of Bihar
Glass Bangles
Handloom industry• Weaving and printing – usage of wooden blocks or printed cloths to
make patterns on other materials• Technique of tie and dye – beautiful design on fabrics• One of the most important arts is of Bandhani or Bandhej –technique
of tie and dye in English• Evidence found for use even today in Rajasthan and Gujarat,
Andhra pradesh and Tamil Nadu• Also called resist dyeing process where portions do not take on
the color in which fabric is dipped
Bandhej
Kota Doria
“Cloth that passes through a Ring…” Muslin of Bengal
Muslin of Bengal
Tussar Silk
Eri
Muga
Handloom Matka Gicha Silk
•
Kanjivaram
• Laharia- special kind of tie and dye leading to ripples or wave like patterns in the fabric
• Usually made in Jaipur and jodhpur• Ikat- also called resist dyeing on yarn is repeatedly
applied before the cloth is woven• Major centers for this work are Telangana , odisha ,
Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh• Kalamkari – utilizes the art of hand painting on fabrics using
vegetable dyes of the deep colors• Practiced in Andhra Pradesh
Laharia (TieDyed
ikat
Kalmkari
Block Printing
Name Produced in Details
Pochampalli Andra Pradesh Silk and Cotton sarees with intricate motifs and geometric ikat style of dying
Patola patina, Gujarat Rich handloom sarees
Baluchari Murshidabad(W.B) Extensive usage of silk threads; ancient stories on borders and Pallu
Jamdani West Bengal Finest muslin with opaque patterns woven on transparent background
Tanchol Brocades Varanasi kind of banarasi saree; single or double wrap weaving; multi color on silk
Chanderi Madhya Pradesh Silk Zari and cotton woven together ;see through saree; Iighter than feather
Ilkal Karnataka Use of kasuti embroidery with chariot and elephant as common motifs
Tant West Bengal crisp cotton, printed saree
Nauvari Maharashtra Single nine yard sari known as kasta saree
Bomkai Odisha Silk and cotton saree with ikat, embroidery and intricate thread work
Konrad Tamil Nadu Stripes, checks and a wide border with motifs of animals and natural elements
Kossa Chhatisgrah Silk saree
Paithani Maharashtra Silk saree with embroidery in gold color thread ; use of parrot as motif
Kalamkari Andhra Pradesh Use of pen for painting designs
Kasavu Kerala Saree characterized by thick golden border
Dabu Chittrorgarh,Raj Ancient resist hand block printing technique used on cotton fabric
Ivory Crafting • Prevalent India since the Vedic period –referred to as
danta - signifying elephant’s tusk
• Export to Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and parts of Persian
Gulf –Ivory and objects made of ivory like ivory dice during
Harappan period
• Sanchi inscription dating back to 2nd century BCE mentions
the guild of ivory workers from vidisha for carvings
• Archaeological remains of an ivory comb from Taxila- showing that ivory
was in vogue even in 2 AD
• ivory artifacts from the Mughal period – combs,
dagger’s handles and in ornaments
• Traditional centers – Delhi, Jaipur and parts of West
Bengal
• Produced beautiful objects of art, caskets ,palanquin
and famous Ambari Hathi
• Other specialist areas:
• Kerala- painting on ivory
• Jodhpur –bangles made of ivory
• Jaipur – Famous of its ivory jail work in homes and small art objects
Terracotta Crafting• Literally means Baked earth- type of ceramic clay that has
been semi – fired
• Process makes it Water proof and hard- makes it perfect
for use in sculpting and architectural edifices
• Extensively used to make pottery and bricks
• Best specimens of terracotta craftsmanship
• Bankura Horse, panchmura Horse
• Terracotta temples in the Bankura district
• Buddhist viharas are the best specimen of terracotta art in India
Silver jewellery• Filigree work- one the most famous techniques used
• Odisha is well known for silver anklets called painri and paijam
• Uniquely knitted ornaments made of silver called gunchi
• Bidri work done in Bidri village of Karnataka - famous for its beauty
• Users silver to create inlay work against dark backgrounds
• Creates elusive and stark contrast for shining silver work
• The art of Bidar is about inlaying silver or gold on back metal. Bidar work is a
well- known handicraft of India brought into the country by Persian artists in
the 14th and 15th century.
• The basic material used is an alloy of 94% zinc and 6% copper and a special
soil that is found only in Bidar.
Clay & Pottery Work• Pottery- Lyric of handicrafts- molded like a poetic composition
• Has a sensual appeal to the senses
• Earliest evidence found in the Neolithic site of Mehrgarh
(Pakistan)
• Remnants show that the art was highly developed in 600 BCE
• Famous work- painted Grey Ware pottery- related to Vedic period
(1500-600BCE)
• Evidence of red and black pottery dating from 1500-300 BCE- Found in West Bengal