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