Rajasthan's
arts and crafts date back centuries, but still thrive on the merits of the
artisans. Walking through the bazaars in Rajasthan can be an exciting
experience: silver ornaments sold by the kilo, fistfuls of semi-precious and
precious stones offered off pavements, mounds of hand-block printed fabrics
piled up in shops, quilts strung up to hang,
As colorful as the
veils fluttering in the adjoining store, rows upon rows of terracotta pots,
evenly arranged pairs of embroidered shoes, piles of paintings, and amazing
heaps of wood and metal crafted objects piled into incredible pyramids…
This is a medieval bazaar come to life and bursting with the passion
with which the people of this state lead their daily lives. The arts and
crafts of Rajasthan go back many centuries to the days when the royalty
patronized them.
VARIETY Blue
Pottery Sanganer, on the outskirts of Jaipur is the main center for
producing glazed Blue-pottery which has its origins in Persia. Its
distinctive feature is that no clay is used. It is made out of a mixture of
Fuller's earth, Quartz and Sodium Sulphite. The special turquoise blue color
comes from Copper Sulphate and the deep blue from Cobalt oxide. Blue-pottery
articles like flower vases, pots and jars, lamp stands and even doorknobs,
are decorated with traditional and arabesque motifs of animals, birds &
flowers.
Carpets Rajasthani Carpets are a popular
item of export today. Raja Man Singh of Ajmer brought this intricate craft
to Jaipur by inviting skilled artisans from Afghanistan. Eventually, Jaipur,
Bikaner and Amer became the prominent centers of carpet weaving. Popular
designs are Persian and Caucasian. The motifs consist of human figures,
flora and fauna, landscapes and geometric. Hand woven durries (once a humble
cotton carpet spread under carpets) in cotton and wool are woven on the
village looms in vibrant designs and motifs. Geometric patterns are the most
common. The towns of Jaipur and Barmer are the leading centers for producing
durries.
Gems and Jewellery One of the chief
attractions of Rajasthan is its jewellery, which offers a variety that
ranges from chunky tribal jewelley to enameled gold to modern diamond
jewellery.
In Rajasthan, men and women can be seen sporting
necklaces, armlets, anklets, earrings and rings. Silver is more commonly
worn by the rural women and is certainly more affordable for a shopper. The
royal attire was particularly impressive with its `serpent' (a kind of
turban ornamentation) and a variety of necklaces, each different from the
other. For dedicated collectors, gold work of the highest quality is also
available.
Kundan, a form of enamel jewellery, has been a
specialty of Rajasthan, particularly that of Jaipur. Kundan is the art of
setting precious stones in gold. The stones are embossed into decorative
shapes & patterns and embellished with delicate enamel ornamentation in
the champ eve (raised field) technique. The designs are mostly exquisitely
entwined flowers and birds and sometimes human and animal figures. Jaipur is
well known for its gold and silver enameling. The thewa work of Pratapgarh
is highly exquisite and popular. In this technique, designs are enameled in
gold on a glass base. The base used is generally green or red in color.
Colorful bangles made of lac and set with semiprecious stones
make an inexpensive buy. The craftsmen take great pains to embed the
hundreds of stones into the lac.
Gems Rajasthan has rich deposits or precious and semi-precious
stones such as emerald, garnet, agate, amethyst, topaz and lapis lazuli.
Various precious stones are given an iconography, symbolic of the Hindu gods
as well as the nine planets of the Indian astrological system. Each gem is
believed to the have inherent powers and some of them are worn in rings and
other jewellery as lucky charms. The skilled gem-cutters of Jaipur carve
enchanting little animals and birds from rock, crystal, jade, smoky topaz
and amethyst. Intaglio beads & buttons and crystal scent bottles are
also available.
Terracotta Rajasthan's terracotta
tradition, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization, continues today in
all parts of the state. Utility items like jars, water-pots, urns, and
utensils are prepared from unglazed red terracotta and exhibit classic
elegance despite their simplicity. Images and plaques of Hindu deities,
mounted warriors, caparisoned camels and tiny lamps are to name a few of the
popular terracotta creations. The terracotta horses of Molela village near
Udaipur decorate many a lawn. Excursion in the rural belt gives an
opportunity to view potter's wheels.
Textiles
Rajasthani textiles come in a fascinating range of dyed and block-printed
fabrics often fired with gold and silver-in the Khari style. Sanganer in
Jaipuir is virtually flooded with block-makers and printers. You may visit
these cottage industries and see the workers involved in their work.
The town of Bagru specializes in unique circular designs in earth shades
drawn from vegetable colors printed on bedspreads, table linen and clothes.
The red, black and olive green, mosaic-like patterns of the Jajams of
Chittorgarh are popularly used to make women's skirts, wraps and floor
coverings. Textiles, dyed in the bandhani or tie & dye style have
achieved a certain amount of refinement over the years. Before dyeing and
the emerging patterns are singular. The women of Rajasthan are apt at the
art of embroidery. Shekhawati's women specialize in making appliqué
with animal designs. Chain stitch with dancing figures, flowers and peacocks
are popular motifs in Alwar; Women of Barmer use mirrors to enhance the
appeal of the embroidered piece. In appliqué, pieces of cloth of
different shapes and sizes are patched together to make a pleasing
multi-colored mosaic with exotic colors, shapes and patterns. Kota Doria
saress are produced in the handlooms of Kota and are known for their quality
and comfort.
Woodcraft The furniture of Rajasthan
displays grandeur and elegance and allows you to decorate your home like a
palace or haveli's. Carvings on chests, chairs, cradles and low tables are
further embellished with brass sheet work or painted with dancing figures or
painted with dancing figures or embellished with brass sheet work or painted
with dancing figures or embellished with hunting scenes.
Ramgarh
(Shekhawati), Barmer and Bikaner are known for their carved wooden doors,
chairs and boxes with fretted brass as decorative element. Tilonia furniture
stands out for its fine embroidery work done on leather. Other notable
furniture is Patra, plated with white metal and the art of taarkashi (wire
inlay) and lacquer work. Finely carved wooden blocks used for textile
printing are also in demand and are often converted into doorknobs or
bookends. You can also pick up painted jewellery boxes make of wood.
