Arts and Handicrafts
Rajasthan perhaps more than any other State in India,is shoppers paradise. Centuries-old skills in the traditional crafts continue to produce some of the most exciting wares in the world. Tie-and-dye fabrics in vibrant colors. Fine block printed textiles and skills,Wood and Ivory carving,Lacquer and filigree work, Delicately cut precious stones, and exquisite enameled jewelery.
Rajasthan’s terracotta tradition that was linked with the civilization of the Indus continues today in almost every Village. Beyond the utility items like ports and pitchers,notable are the votive images and plaques of deities particularly from Molela (40 km north of Udaipur). The thriving blue pottery of Jaipur dates back to the 16th century when the influences of China and Persia were brought home by Raja Man Singh of Amber through his contacts with the Mughal rulers of Delhi. Among the textiles, it is the block printed Dresses that are the most distinct.These techniques are now put to use in modern garments, bed spreads and table-cloths. The fine weave of the Kota-Doria Saries are sought all over India for summer wear. Gold and Silver Khari printing, Ajrakh, appkuqued and embroidered textiles also abound in Rajasthan.
The craftsmanship of jewelers and other skills of Rajasthan are renowned-particularly Jaipur’s Meenkari, a process of colored glass.Silver is more commonly worn and worked upon and certainly more affordable for gifts shoppers.
Leather-ware, particularly “Jooties” with embroidered uppers are famous and popular. Today even designer hand-bags with graphic embroideries make a good buy Wood, metal and stone are used by today’s craftpersons to create decorative and utility items that shoppers often find find irresistible.Miniature paintings of the finest quality continue to be executed in Rajasthan–both on paper and on large pieces of cloth. Different regions maintain their own style,known as different schools of painting.
Some well-known schools of painting are Marwar, Mewar, Hadoti, Kishangarh.
Meenakari
Meenakari is the art of enameling on metals like gold and silver. Raja Man Singh of Amer brought this intricate craft to Jaipur by inviting five skilled enamel workers from Lahore.The arts prospered over the years and is today renowned the world over.Jaipur Meenakari is famed for its delicacy and its use of colors. Pratapgarh and Nathdwara are two other centers which produce fine quaity enamel work
Jewelery
Rajasthan is rich in jewelery each area having its own unique style. Some of the traditional designs are rakhri, timaniyan, bala, bajuband, gajra gokhrum, jod etc…
Thewa is a traditional art of fusing 23K Gold with multicoloured glass. The glass is treated by a special process to have glittering effects, which in turn highlights the intricate gold work.
Kundan is the art of setting precious stones in gold ornaments. Kundan jewelry is fabulous both in terms of design and workmanship. A combination of kundan and enameling is worked out to give the jewel two equally beautiful surfaces, enamel at the back and kundan –set gems in the front.
Rajasthan is also a desired destination for wide range of precious and semi-precious jewelry. Dazzling ornaments are made in Jaipur and Jodhpur using precious stones like emerald, diamond, pearl, garnet, agate & lapis lazuli.
Tribal women wear heavy,simply crafted jewelery and seem to carry the weight (almost up to five kgs.) without much discomfort almost all the time.Men too were their share of ornaments in the form of chockers and earrings.
Ivory
The ivory bangles that most Rajasthani women wear are considered auspicious.Ivory is also inlaid and shaped into intricate items of great beauty.Miniature paintings were also executed on ivory.
Lac and Glass
Lac bangles are made in bright colors and sometimes inlaid with glass.Other decorative and functional items are also available.Bangle is one of the favorite ornaments of all Rajasthani women, as it is considered inauspicious for a woman’s forearm to be bare. Lac bangles are worn as a sign of good omen and made in various designs- some in flat colors, some iridescent or marbled, while others flash white fire from rhinestones or tiny mirrors at the turn of wrist. Glass bangles, a perennial favorite of Indian women are easily available in most parts of the state, the greatest variety being offered in the bazaars of Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Sandalwood and wood
Carved wood is presented in a wide range of objects and is simple and inexpensive.
Stone
Statues on religious themes are carved all over Rajasthan and in several cities there are still entire lanes where the stone carvers can be seen giving final touches to statues or even pillars.Other crafts like blue Pottery,hand block printing,tie and dye,terracotta sculptures,painting on camel hide, embroidery, cloth painting, carpets, durries, inlay work on brass and wood are to be found all over Rajasthan.
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