Traditional Crafts

Blue pottery
An art form, from Persia under the patronage of Maharaja Ram singhji was first introduced in Rajasthan. A new art form with a fascinating recipe of distinctive material like the ground quartz stone. The colour schemes are also peculiar like, blue (oxide of cobalt), Green (oxide of copper) and the external white.

Some of the pottery is semi- translucent and lately is been experimented with other colours such as , yellow, dark blue and brown. The conventional floral or arabesque, hand made patterns and the animal figure patterns are the prominent designs. The various articles shaped out are mostly the traditional ones like surahis or pots of different shapes and size for multiple use, ashtray, tiles, flower pots, lamp shades, jars various accessories or interior items are the forte of this art of pottery.

Top    

Terracota

An age old craft in Rajasthan saw dust, mashed and mixed finely with mud and clay in a semi solid paste on which the image is sculpted and later dried and polished in colour retaining its natural hue, they make best of decorative items with authentic ethnicity .

Every village and community has its potters, and the pots for everyday use along with other storing vessels , hookahs, chillums, coin-banks ,pickle jars,etc...

Places where they made are:
Alwar : for paper thin kagji pottery.

Bikaner: known for its painted pottery tinted with lac colours.

Jaisalmer: stone wares

Molela (near Udaipur): wall plaques generally depicting the images of Heroes or the religious ones.

Pokaran: the potters make tiny bells with clay that resound like their bellmetal counterparts.

Top    

Dhurries And Carpets
The dhurrie, a simple rug that was once used as an underlay, has now become one of the state's best known weaving traditions. Weavers sit on looms in villages, creating an interesting blend of patterns- mostly geometric, sometimes floral-in an exciting combination of colours. Made from cotton yarn, in areas such as Bikaner and Jaisalmer, the camel-hair, woolen dhurrie too is available. In areas around Tonk, namdahs or felted rugs are manufactured.

Carpets first began to be manufactured in Rajasthan when weavers from Afghanistan were installed in the royal ateliers in the 17th century. Ever since, they have flourished here, with their exuberant colours and geometric motifs finding their way into showrooms around the world. Naturally they are available in the bazaars at a price far lower than they command in stores overseas.

Top    

Wooden Artefacts
Wood-sometimes plain often painted- is used to make everything from furniture to artefacts.While the furniture ranges from the made-as old that is such a range all over the world, its contemporary variants include chairs with painted backs, camel-hide stools, marble-top tables and carved cabinets.

Artefacts include a range of animal -horses ,elephants, parrots- that are beautifully painted as well as boxes, chests snuff boxes and other interesting paraphernalia including dancing figurines and dwarpals or guardians of the doors.

Top    

Textile
The Textile of Rajasthan has a fascinating range of dyed and block printing fabrics. Each state has its own special colour-scheme design and technique. The various types of Textile are:-

Hand-block prints- the quilts of Sanganer, Bagru are the favourites.

Tie and dye- Bandhej, Bandani, Lehriya, Batik, Mothra, Ekdali, Shikari, Cheent comes under this category.

Bandhej- Bandhej of Jodhpur, Sikar, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Pali, Udaipur, Jaipur is more popular.

The lehriya is an entire line of cloth is dyed in different colours. Udaipur's lehriya work is well known.

Samdar Lehar, Phagun are the designs to be worn in the spring season.
Textile and fabric colouring and dying can be seen at length in the communities of Leelgarhs and Rangrez.

The Chunari and Bandhej ( the art of tying a small point on the cloth by threads and later dyed with the required colours . After drying when opened, there is a small circle in the white splashed around the fabric)is known as tie and dye. Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner are famous for this. In addition, the art of embellished fabrics with embroidery using thread-work, mirror work or gold brocade is prevalent.

Block Printing in vegetable dyes is another famous art. Carved wooden blocks soaked in different colours and pasted on the fabric. Main Market of these products are Jaipur, Sanganer and Bagru.

Zari - Gota, zardosi, banarsi for formal and bridal ensembles, metallic and threaded embroidery

Top    

Metal Craft
Some of the finest metal work in Rajasthan uses enamelled silver that is used for everything from pill-boxes to figurines. Brass enamel is less expensive, and more prevalent from table-tops to dancing peacocks, caparisoned elephants, dancing camels, swords and shields .In recent years, wrought iron has become popular, though this ismore contemporary in its usage, than traditional.

Top    

Stone Carving
White marble, pink Dholpur, green Kota, white and grey soapstone everything is used to make elegant statuary, idols, figurines, carved panels, even elaborate jharokhas for gardens and pavilions. One of Rajasthan's most enduring arts that is evident in its prevalence in homes all over the state, stone carving is both an artistic as well as an industrial product.

Top    

Leatherware
The hides of dead animals is used by skilled cobblers for Jooties (foot-wear), chairs, musical instruments, mojaries,etc. The Jooties reflect the unique style of every district they belong to. It is amazing how the leather is beaten, tanned and dyed and put to the best use. The leather is punched and gouged to create patterns, studded, sequined and even embroidered with woolen motifs. Cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer is famous for Jooties, musical instruments (like Tabla, Dhol, Dhapli), stringed instruments (Kamayacha) made out of leather. Bikaner is best known for painted Lampshades, shields, vases, Mojharies made out of camel hide. Hard Bag, belts, hats, chairs, foldable chairs with graphic embroideries are from Tilonia.

Top