Rajasthan Handicrafts

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Rajasthan is known as treasure trove of handicrafts. Art & Craft is in the blood of Rajasthani people. Be it jewellery, painting, metal ware or pottery, the people are master craftsmen. The kings and the rulers were lovers of art & culture.They encouraged the artists and craftsmen from time to time.People in general have a habit of decorating their belongings. Be it a camel or a wall or their huts they will decorate it.

FABRICS :
For centuries the people of Rajasthan have perfected the art of printing using the vegetable dyes and mineral colours. The Rajasthani textiles come in a wide range of 'Block Printing', "Tie & Die fabrics"," Embroidered'' fabrics.

Block Printing : Rajasthan is the heart of block printing. Most of the work is done by hand only. The art of block printing & dyeing is associated with home furnishing and fabric for personal wear. The main centers for the block printing are Sanganer and Bagru.

Sanganeri Prints : Sanganer is a suburb of Jaipur. The printing style is called as Sanganeri Print. Cotton fabrics using vegetable dyes are printed. Red and Orange with floral prints in yellow and blue is the style of this print. This fabric commands a huge demand from the major fashion centers throughout the world.

Bagru Prints : 30 KM. from Jaipur is a small town called Bagru which has the art of printing a unique style of its own. The circular designs in vegetable colours mainly in black and brick colors with bold prints is the specialty of this printing.

Tie & Dye : This is a highly skilled art. The fabric is tied into small points with threads. When the fabric as a whole is dyed the knotted points remain undyed. These undyed points along with a dyed portion give a unique look. This art is called "Bandhej''. Different patterns of this art are named like "Lahariya" which is a diagonal/waves, “Chunari” a dotted pattern etc. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Barmer are the famous centers for this art.

Mirror work & Embroidery :The woman of Rajasthan has developed an art of embroidery along with mirror work on the fabric. This is done by hand. 'Bikaner' is a famous centre for embroi dered fabric. Barmer is known for its mirror work. Sikar and Jhunjhunu are centers for animal patterns on embroidery.

Applique work : It is an art where different pieces of cloth are patched together. The exotic colour, shape and pattern combinations against contrasting background catch the eye.

Jaipuri Quilt : These are light weight quilts. The weight of these quilts is as low as 250 gm. The specialty of these quilts is that these are very warm in spite of such a low weight. These quilts are soft & cozy. The outer cover is of cotton or silk with Rajasthani prints on it Quilted garments are also manufactured in Jaipur. These are in high demand.

Jaipur is famous for its “Blue Pottery''. The distinctive feature of this pottery is that it is made of ground quartz stone. Clay is not used at all. The articles made out of this mixture are treated at very high temperature. Each article is hand painted in various shades of blue.

This art originally came from Persia.It was patronized by Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur. No where in Rajasthan is this art available.

Terracotta : It is an ancient art of Rajasthan White & Red articles with geometric patterns are made. Pokaran is a place where these patterns are made. Alwar produces paper thin pottery. Bikaner is famous for painted pottery tinted with lac colors. Terracotta pottery is still used for cooking in villages of Rajasthan. Mulela : Is a place near Udaipur which is famous for its terracotta wall plaques. These plaques generally depict lord Ganesh & other deities.

Gems & Jewellery:

Rajasthan is known world over for its Jewellery and gemstones. A wide range of precious & semi precious stone jewellery is made in Jaipur & Jodhpur. Each area of Rajasthan has a unique style of making jewellery. The rural women prefer silver jewellery while the city women like gold jewellery. Rakhri, Timaniyan, Bala, Baju band, Gajra, Gkhru, Jod etc. are some of the traditional ornaments used by Rajasthani folk. Enamelling on silver and gold is a speciality of Rajasthan. This is called "Meenakari" Pratapgarh-meenakari known as “THEWA” a work in gold on a green or red enamel base is exquisite.Nathdwara is also known for Meenakari on silver and other metals.Another traditional craft is called “KUNDAN”-Setting of precious stones like diamond on gold. This jewellery is exclusive both in terms of designs and workmanship. Jaipur and Bikaner are famous for this craft.

Dhurries & Woolen Carpets : Rajasthani hand woven cotton carpets are known as Dhurries. These are known for their light pastel shades and geometric designs. Woolen carpet weaving is an ancient art of Rajasthan Raja Man Singh of Amer introduced carpet weaving by bringing artisans from Afghanistan. Jaipuri hand knotted carpets are similar to the persian carpets. The color of Rajasthani carpets are very exuberant. Local motifs and designs are very attractive to foreigners.

Namda : This is a specialty of Tonk near Jaipur. Soft woolen druggets in basic colour are decorated with embroidery and applique work.

Metalware : The metal work of Rajasthan is primarily on brass. Jaipur is famous for engraved brass work which is usually enameled. Engraving is done in three stylish namely CHIKAN- a bold floral or namentation MARORI-a minute lacquered pattern covering the entire body. beautiful flroal designs all over the lacquered surface.Jaipur is also famous for sculptures on metal specially brass. Other techniques like hammering, chasing, perforating and reposes are also used to create decorative metal waves.

“Koftagiri” a unique technique is practiced in Jaipur & Alwar. Here one metal is encrusted into another in the form of a wire. Shields, Swords and daggers are made by this technique Silver is also one metal which is very popular among Rajasthani metal crafts men. Articles like ‘Hand as’ or water containers, trays, baskets, spice bottles etc. are very attractively made. The enameled silver articles are also created by Rajasthani craftsmen. ‘Badlas’ of Jodhpur are also very famous all over the world. These are made from Zinc metal. Badlas are basically water containers for keeping water cool. These are rectangular or semi circular or round. With a covering of woolen Namda.

“Mojadi or Juttee” attractive footware items are the most popular leather work of Rajasthan. The hides of dead animals have never been put to better use than these, Juttees are worn by people all over Rajasthan. The leather is punched and gorged to create beautiful designs studded and sequined. It is also embroidered and stitched. This is done by hand only. This is done in Jaipur & Jodhpur.Other articles like bags, pouches, water containers and Kupi a bottle made of camel hide for keeping oil or perfumes, are beautifully made in Rajasthan Bikaner is known for this craft which is also called Gessowork.

Furniture & Wood Carving : The painted furniture of Jodhpur and Kishangarh is very famous. Screens, doors, caskets, low tables & chairs are a few of these wooden articles of Kishangarh, Shekhawati, Ramgarh & Bikaner are famous for its carved wooden doors. The leather embroidered chairs of Tilonia and the carved-back, string bottom chairs of Shekhawati are excellent wooden craft. Carving on Sandal wood is also done in Rajasthan Barmer is famous for the art of wood carving specially doors, roofs and cradles.

Religious themes are generally carved on different types of stones. White marble is used for carving out statues of Gods & Goddesses. This is done mostly in Jaipur. Animal figures are also crafted throughout Rajasthan. Besides marble, the soft pink sandstone, tamara stone, copper wired with green specks and the soft chlorite of Dongarpur are the most commonly used stones for carving.

Puppets : The art of puppeteeri is an ancient tradition of Rajasthan. The puppets of Rajasthan are particularly charming on account of their colourful dresses and exaggerated eyes & lips. The most quaint aspect of these puppets is the way their expressions are painted these puppets are mostly made of wood and dresses made from old printed fabrics. The hands are made by stuffing rays into the sleeves of the dresses.

Toys & Dolls : The Wooden toys of Udaipur are very popular, soft tinted clay toys of Merta in Nagaur district.Stuffed toys with embroidery over them is the product of Jaipur. The toys from Bassi are also very popular. A cosmetic box called ‘Shringar dan’ is also a popular article.