ARTS & CRAFTS
Speciality: Ethnic Appeal
Focus: Rich Rajasthani Heritage
Absolutely astounding and unique in concept, colour and
workmanship, the art and handicrafts of Rajasthan are
beyond comparison. Be it jewellery, painting, furniture, leatherware,
pottery, metalcraft or hand-printed textiles, each object has a
penetrating and irresistible appeal. An ethnic aura envelopes even the
simplest of forms, making each one truly a collector’s delight.
Rajasthan, popularly known as the ‘treasure trove of Indian
handicrafts’ and ‘shoppers’ paradise’, has been able
to preserve its craft despite several ups and downs. Its rich heritage has
played an important role in the economy of the state. The glittering
jewellery and attractive handicrafts of Rajasthan have caught the fantasy
of the people abroad and earned rich dividends.
JEWELLERY
The
artistic delicacy and elaborateness in the manufacturing of Rajasthani
jewellery made of purest and finest materials is world-renowned. Rajasthan
became famous for its jewellery industry from very early times, being an
important source of precious and semi precious stones. Sophisticated
jewellery, set with precious stones using the ‘Kundankari’
technique, or decorated with bright enamel work, known as ‘minakari’,
were made for the Rajput courtiers and affluent people. Skillful artisans
from Lahore, Delhi, Gujarat, and Bengal, attracted by the liberal
patronage of the kings, came to work in Jaipur,
Bikaner, Udaipur and
Jodhpur . Jaipur is the centre for gold ‘kundan’
work and a renowned centre for diamond and emerald cutting. The temple
market at Nathdwara is the best place to buy
silver ‘kundan’ and ‘meenakari’ work
Old silver jewellery, which is much in vogue, can be bought in
Jaisalmer in every nook and corner of the small bazaar area.
Pratapgarh in Chittaurgarh district is
famous for ‘thewa’ jewellery .The red, green, or blue foil below
highlights the intricate gold work in the best possible manner.
METALWARE
Indian craftsmen have always shown an exceptional skill in engraving,
chasing and ornamenting of gold and silver articles of everyday and
decorative use. The metalware of Rajasthan comprises artistic brass work,
enameled, engraved and filigree cut work on silver. The Jaipuri-engravers
have mastered the medium of engraving on metal. Lacquered and engraved
brassware comes in an amazing variety of articles: hanging lamps, boxes,
bowls, picture frames, and plates. Traditional designs are used in
different techniques such as hammered, chased or embossed and the motifs
are of flowers, hunting scenes and landscapes.
In Jaipur, the engraving is done in three styles namely, (a) 'Marori'
work- minutely lacquered designs covering the entire surface, (b)
'chikan'- floral ornamentation standing out vividly against a chased and
lacquered background and (c) 'bichi' - a delicate pattern of flowers and
leaves, on a lacquered surface.
Traditional silver articles like 'handas' or water containers, spice
bottles, baskets and trays are popular worldover - white metal articles
too, command sizeable exports. Water carrier, ‘badla’, made of
zinc, a speciality of Jodhpur, is one of the flourishing industries of
Rajasthan. 'Badlas', usually round, semi-circular or rectangular are
sometimes fitted with ice chambers and taps. In ‘Koftagari’ or
damascening work, mostly practised in Alwar and Jaipur, one metal is
encrusted into another in the form of wire. Popular articles are swords,
daggers and shields.
POTTERY
Pottery,
one of the old crafts, has its own standing tradition in Rajasthan.
Certain shapes are characteristic of Rajasthan. Alwar
has been known for its double cutwork pottery known as “kagzi”.
It is made of a thin layer of clay and needs a high degree of skill.
Purely decorative, the pottery of Bikaner uses lac colours embellished
with gold to give a glittering finish. Possibly the only pottery in the
world that is made without using clay, Blue Pottery of Jaipur is
unique in appearance. The art of glazed pottery came to India through
Persia. The materials used are Multani clay or 'fuller's earth', quartz,
raw glaze, and sodium sulphate. The best pieces are hand painted with
conventional floral or arabesque patterns and sometimes with figures of
animals. Besides traditional articles like 'surahis', pots and cylindrical
jars, other items include ashtrays, tiles, flower pots, lamp stands,
beads, ear rings, soap cases, jugs, mugs and door knobs.
PAINTINGS
Paintings of Rajasthan- miniature and folk are known all over the world
for treatment and composition, colour scheme and subjecting. The purpose
of Rajasthani paintings is pleasure. Hence, women have been given
prominence in all the artists’ creations. Folk paintings have also
developed side by side. Use of vibrant colours, bold lines, two
dimensional treatment of figures and entire composition distributed in
compartments are some of the unique features of these paintings, popularly
known as ‘phad’ paintings.
‘Mandana’ is a folk craft of decoration of houses, which is
quite popular in rural areas. Mandanas indicate seasons with the vegetable
designs depicting Diwali with the 'bali' of barley and Holi with the raw
mango. Sanjhi figure is made during the Dussehra festival.
LEATHER WORK
The
use of leather in Rajasthan is very old. The beautifully designed leather
shoes are well known items in the world market. Leather is embroidered,
punched, studded and stitched in various eye-catching designs. The best
known centres of traditional footwear are Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Decorative saddles for horses are prepared in Bikaner, Jaipur and
Jaisalmer. A special type of water bottle called ‘kopi’ is made
from camel hide.
CARPET AND NAMDAS
The Rajasthani carpet is but a true expression of the workers' simple
philosophy, his sensitive perception of nature and its changing moods
convincingly translated into the craft. The colour combinations are lovely
and worksmanship exquisite. It is a treasure that lasts a lifetime. From
Bikaner and Tonk come also the gaily-patterned, felt 'numdahs' or small
rugs. A Durree is a cool, light rug. Rajasthani durries are smooth and
closely woven. Pastel shades and a sparse use of geometrical and vegetable
motifs are popular. Jaipur is a thriving centre for carpets and durrees
today.
IVORY CARVING
Among the most intricate and painstaking crafts is ivory carving. Under
regal partronage, the most delicate art of ivory carving flourished, in
the princely capitals of Rajasthan; Bharatpur,
Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The art is still alive in the delicate ivory
figurines of gods and goddesses, minutely carved and perfectly
proportioned. Jali-work of lace like intricacy is testimony to the ivory
carvers, fine eye and unerring hand. Animal figures, birds, fish trays and
paper knives and a host of other decorative objects are carved with utmost
artistry and craftsmanship.
STONE CARVING
Rajasthan
is not merely famous for the valorous deeds and heroic sacrifices of its
warriors but also for its splendid architectural monuments made of stone.
Temples, forts and palaces are glorious achievements of the craftsmen that
have few rivals.
Jaipur is the centre of marble carving in Rajasthan. Here artisans create
marble images of the deities as well as domestic utensils such as bowls
for grinding spices and kneading dough. At centres such as
Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaipur can
be seen very fine examples of 'jali' or lattice, worked on screens and
panels in the palaces of these cities.
BLOCK PRINTING
Close to Jaipur is the small township of Sanganer, the name synonymous
today with the finest block printed cottons. Some of the ‘Sanganeri
chipas’ have moved to Jaipur and their colourful printed creations
are widely available.
Block printing is a finely developed art in other parts of Rajasthan too.
While the ‘Bagru’ prints are famous for floral designs in dark
vegetable colours, the ‘Barmer’ prints
are known for their bold geometric patterns, called 'AJRAKH'.
A special process of tie-and dye creates the stylized wave pattern, or ‘laharia’,
symbolizing water or the monsoon rain. Turbans and ‘odhnis’ with
‘laharia’ patterns are generally used on festive occasions,
especially Teej.
Bandhani is a complicated and skilled work of ornamenting the cloth with
combination of colours. Jaipur and Jodhpur, the main centres of this
speciality have produced many bandhej workers who excel in their jobs.
The traditional handicrafts of Rajasthan survived and developed because
they were regarded as material symbols of Rajasthan’s unique cultural
ethos. With the initiative of the government, these crafts were survived
with the setting up of the All India Handicrafts Board at New Delhi and
the Rajasthan Small Scale Industries Corporation at Jaipur. Almost every
craft is practiced and marketed in Rajasthan and the tradition has been so
nurtured by the craftsmen that their products win the acclaim and
appreciation from all.
