 India
- the treasure trove of Handicrafts, has a truly remarkable variety
of beautifully and skillfully handcrafted objects. Here the shopping
experience runs from every corner of the country, to whole streets of
shops selling specialty goods, to local fairs, where stalls set up overnight,
stock a variety of exotica.Every handicraft sold in the country is made by tightly knit communities following the zealously guarded traditional methods that are passed down from one generation to the other over the centuries. Indian handicrafts evolved from three principal sources: the royal courts, religious use and folk art. The kings of the erstwhile princely states were patrons of some of the country's greatest art traditions, of which miniature painting is one example. It is possible to actually watch craftsmen at work in any city or town in India, a fact that imbibes a purchase with a value beyond the monetary. |
BRASS
LAMPS Brass
lamps of Tamil Nadu were, and still are, used in Hindu temples and paintings
of religious themes are often part of temple decorations. Folk art and
objects of daily use that range from clay pottery to embroidered leather
personify India's ongoing traditions of crafts. In chor bazaars of Delhi
and Mumbai it is possible to buy everything and if you are lucky, it
might turn out to be an antique.  |
SAREES Sarees,
the traditional wear of an Indian woman, range from Gossamer thin Chanderis
woven in silk to the thick Kanjeevaram silks of Tamil Nadu. Both types
are distinguished by the restrained use of motifs. But ikats from Orissa,
in hand spun cotton of earthly colours, are woven with traditional motifs
of a highly distinctive blurred appearance, obtained by precise dyeing
and weaving techniques with themes of parrots or elephants, sea shells
or stylized flowers and sometimes even architectural patterns echoed
in them.Thus Weaving has been elevated to an art form because of the sophisticated methods it has developed through the stages of designing, printing and dyeing. It dates back to the Sangam age (2000 years ago) where it can be viewed as a cottage industry. Tiruchi and Coimbatore have developed into well-reputed centres of weaving. The Madurai Sungudi is known for the zari-bordered, maroon-black blend with tie-dyed work done by the Saurashtrian women. Salem has gained mileage for its 'mayilkan' and 'kuyilkan' --- three shuttle weaving of silk boarders with a cotton body of the saree. 'Korainadu' prints combine silk with cotton while the 'Kodalikarpur' sarees which unite 'Jamdani' weaving, hand painting and printing are known for their craftsmanship too. |
JEWELLERY An
Indian woman is incomplete without jewellery, which is never inexpensive
anywhere in the world. Indian jewellery craftsmen are highly skilled
and are able to create any design and set loose stones into any pattern,
just by following a picture. The cost of the gold is the chief component
because craftsmanship in India is less expensive than in any other country.
|
HANDICRAFTS Handicrafts
can be classified by the medium on which they are worked. Objects of
wood that range from fragrant sandalwood to ebony are carved, sculptured,
or inlaid with brass wire, ivory or mother of pearl. Stonework includes
marble mosaics inlaid with semi-precious stones and soapstone carvings.
Pottery encompasses terracotta toys from rural India to ornamental objects.
When we talk about carpets, they are made in pockets throughout the
country - a network of small towns around Varanasi to Kashmir where
carpets are a continuation of a Persian tradition which are identical
to those of Persia. The Kite Festival in Gujrat is apt to have treasures
made by kite craftsman with generations of skill behind. |
| Today
many crafts are still made by craftsmen in the traditional way, but
they cater to the ever-expanding international market. Of course, traditional
handicrafts are not the only buys from India. High fashion, quality
leather jackets, shoes and handbags, costume jewellery, lambswool winter-wear
of Indian make are also widely exported. The Department of Tourism plays an important role in keeping alive many festivals throughout the country. In New Delhi, a whole street full of state government emporia provide the shopper with virtually everything that is available in the country. Above all, shopping in India is fun. It's a benefit given to the shoppers in terms of the variety but the only problem being able to control the urge to possess the beauty of a craftsman's effort.
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