subject: Handicraft Works Of Rajasthan [print this page] Rajasthan is one of the most well known places of India. The place is renowned for its majestic architecture, royal palaces and wonderful buildings. Apart from these, Rajasthan is popular for its colorful and artistic handicraft works. Rajasthans handicraft works manifest the true color of Indian culture and tradition. People from all across the world visit Rajasthan for purchasing the exquisite handicrafts as well as viewing the grandeur of Rajasthan. Antique handicrafts of the state explicitly reveals the masterpiece craftsmanship as well as creativity of the people of Rajasthan. The important handicrafts of Rajasthans are discussed below:-
Carpets & Durries - Rajasthans famous handicraft is carpets. The important carpet manufacturing centers are Jaipur, Bikaner and Ajmer. The carpets are also manufactured in small towns such as Tonk, Manaharpura, Chaksu and Barmer. Manufacturing of carpets in Rajasthan began in 17th century when Afghanistans weavers started to settle in the royal cavern.
Traditional patterns such as dushala, mehrab, charkon and shikar are crafted on the carpets. Apart from these, the carpets come in Indo -Persian designs. Carpets coming with Indo-Kerman designs include cream or ivory colored backgrounds with floral designs in center or all over. Carpets with 400 to 600 knots per inch are no longer woven in Rajasthan. Rather simple carpets with 16 to 36 knots are available in the markets in abundance.
Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jaipur are also popular for cotton durries. These durries are made of cotton yarn as well as camel hair. The durries come with pastel shades and geographical motifs. The vibrant use of hues and exquisite designs compel the tourists to purchase these grand carpets.
Blue Pottery - Blue Potteries are mostly available in Jaipur. Jaipurs blue pots, made from Egyptian paste is low-fired and glazed. The pots are artistically embellished with birds and animal designs. The array of items mainly include decoratives such as small bowls, vases, ashtrays, coasters and box for trinkets. There is a predominant use of blue, green and white color which is basically derived from cobalt oxide, copper oxide and white respectively. Now-a-days, non-conventional colors such as brown, blue are sometimes used for decorating the pots. Intricate Persian designs are used in decorating the pots. Apart from urns, pots etc, you can also avail exquisite items such as cups, tea sets, saucers, glasses and plates.
Jewellery - Jewellery of Rajasthan are the most popular crafts that every individual wishes to buy while visiting Rajasthan. Most of the gold and silver jewelleries comes with intricate meenakari works. This meenakari work were introduced in Rajasthan by Raja Mansingh of Amer. Jaipur is the main centre for for meenakari jewellery. Other places where enameled jewelry are popular are Nathdwara and Alwar and Pratapgarh.
The oldest jewellery tradition of Rajasthan includes 'Jadau' work. This is quite popular in Bikaner. The whole process requires lots of handwork and caution. Traditional jewelleries 'Tewata or Timaniya' (Necklace), 'Bangari', 'Gajre'(bangles) comes with meenakari works. Peacock designed Kare (heavy bangle) and Kundan jewellery set are widely used by the inhabitants of Rajasthan. Moreover, in Rajasthan you will also avail jewelleries with the combination of both meenakari and kundan designs.
Chittorgarh is well known for Thewa jewellery. Thewa pendants are popular all across India and World for their unique & intricate designs and bright colors.
Apart from these, you can also avail handmade jewelleries such as bala (bangle), Rakhi, Gokhru, Bajuband, Timamyan, etc, as well as ivory bangles. Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jaipur are the main centers of sparkling and fascinating jewelleries. Rajasthan is also a land for precious and semi-precious stones such as Emerald, Garnets, Jade, Amethyst, Agate, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline Topaz, Pearl, Lapis lazuli, Diamond, Carnelian, Ruby and many more.
The markets of Jaipur and Jodhpur are known for sparkling and magnificent jewelleries. Johari Bazar of Jaipur showcases the splendid jewelleries in semiprecious and precious stones.
Paintings - Miniature painting of Rajasthan are the most renowned art work of India. Miniature paintings began in 16 th century by Rajput artists. These paintings explicitly reveals chivalry and romance of the ancient kings and queens, scenes and processions from the life of Lord Krishna, court assemblies, hills, valleys and so on. Marble, ivory, paper, wood and silk are used while making these paintings.
Udaipur is famous for Rajasthani Paintings. These paintings depict themes from wide concepts. Rajasthan Paintings is an important part of art schools of Rajasthan. High-quality artistic paintings are available in Udaipur.
Folk Painting also known as Phad is a painting made on cloth and is popular in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh region of Rajasthan. This painting is a kind of scroll painting that beautifully manifest the tales related with local chieftains. The paintings also depicts local deities and are carried from one place to another. These paintings are often attended by traditional singers, who tell the story depicted on the Phad.
Textiles - Tie & dye is the most popular technique, used in Rajasthan for making Bandhej Kurtis, Bandhej sarees, etc. The well known bandhani work are found in Liikar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Pali, Nathdwara and Udaipur and various other centers. Bikaner is famous for embroidery works. The women of Skar and Jhunihunu regions are specialized in making designs of animals on fabrics. Alwar is a famous place for its chain stitch works of dancing figures, peacocks and animals on fabrics. Barmer women use mirrors in the embroidered fabric piece. The vibrant colors of these fabrics catch eyes of every visitor.
Furniture & Puppetry - Wooden furniture of Rajsthan are carved in unique style and designs. One of the most popular work on wooden furniture is the latticework. These furnitures look fascinating for their antique motifs and design works. Kishangarh and Jodhpur are the well known places where you can avail screens, doors, carved casket, chairs, shelfs, tables etc. Tilonia Furniture of Rajasthan is a famous furniture that is carved from jute.
Woodcraft of Rajasthan also include puppetry. The puppets incredibly reflects the true culture and rituals of Rajasthan. String puppets made out of local mango wood and colorful rags and pieces of clothes are the most popular ones. Puppets displaying royal characters are made up of stones, bead jewellery and vibrant clothes. Udaipur and Jaipurs Katputli Nagar are the main centres for puppets.
Mojaris - Another important handicraft work of Rajasthan is Rajasthani Mojaris or Jootis (Leather Sandals). These leather sandals are artistically decked with vibrant colors and motifs. Along with these leather sandals Nagrai chappals are also available in Rajasthan. The main centers of these traditional foot-wears are Jaipur and Jodhpur. Other exquisite leather items that are available in these regions are wallets, belts, handbags, jewellery boxes and many more.
The handicrafts of Rajasthan explores the true spirit of Indian royal culture and tradition. These antique arts and crafts provide artistic as well as visual pleasure to the viewers from all across world. Thus, while visiting Rajasthan, one must surely explore its rich and exquisite handicrafts.
