CRAFTS OF INDIA
WOVEN TEXTILES
Pochampally Ikat, Japore Woven upholstery
About the craft Region
Ikat fabric is a dyeing technique used to create a distinct style of textile patterns. Ikat is done by resist dyeing Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat
sections of the yarns prior to weaving the fabric. A characteristic of ikat textiles is an apparent “blurriness” to
the design.
EMBROIDERED TEXTILES
Chikankari, Good Earth Chikankari pillow covers
About the craft Region
Chikankari is very similar to Shadow work, a white embroidery work that uses herringbone stitches on the back Mainly Uttar Pradesh.
of the fabric to fill designs, resulting in a fine shadow on the face of the fabric. Though traditionally it was Also available in Delhi, Jaipur, West Bengal and Hyderabad.
done on Muslin cloth, white thread on white fabric, today it can be seen on various fabrics and colors,
popularly pastels.
BRASS WORK
Suri Cake stand, Anantaya Thaali table, Anantaya Candle Stand, Good Earth
About the craft Region
India is well known for its beautiful brass craft, which covers a wide range of products, ranging from decoration Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Kashmir, Delhi.
items to utility ware. India, in fact, is one of the largest brass makers in the world. Brass is an alloy of copper
and zinc. A diverse range of brass can be created simply by varying the proportion of these two ingredients.
Brass has a yellow color that is somewhat similar to gold. It is also fairly resistant to tarnishing.
DHOKRA
Dashavatar, Baaya
Dashavatar, Baaya Bull, Takshini
About the craft Region
One of the oldest forms of metal casting, known as the ‘lost wax process’, with over 4000 years of history. Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar Orissa and Chhattisgarh
Intricate patterns are generated with wax threads, which are replaced with the hot molten brass, when
poured into the mould. Traditionally, Dokra products were created to make utility objects apart from
ceremonial accessories.
COPPER ENAMEL
Ocean Pearl coaster set, Baaya Zephyr Chandelier, Baaya
About the craft Region
Enamelling is an ancient and widespread art form, mainly used in jewellery and decorative arts. It involves Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan
colouring the surface of metals by fusing brilliant glass powder colours on it. The Persian art, brought to India
in the late 50s is a painstaking process and is a true test of the dexterity of the artisans. Copper wire motif work
is a specialty in the products created in Maharashtra.
BEATEN COPPER
T-lights, Coppre Sindhu water jug, Good Earth
About the craft Region
The craft is transmitted orally from one generation to other. Designs are made by skilfully hammering a series Uttarakhand and Maharashtra
of tiny dents into the heated metal. Utensils are manually finished by polishing with traditional materials such
as sand and tamarind juice. Traditionally they were manufactured for ritual or utilitarian purposes, both for
individual and community use on special occasions such as weddings or at temples.
JUTE FIBRES
Braided Rug Jute Bags Kasba Rug, Dharma Door
About the craft Region
Jute is a strong and durable natural fiber. It is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. It is known as the “Golden West Bengal and Jharkhand
fiber” because of its shiny appearance and somewhat golden color. Cultivated in the eastern states of the
country with Bengal being its highest producer, Jute is one of the most affordable fibers used in the
manufacturing of various products and handicrafts all over the world.
CANE AND NATURAL FIBRES
Divaan, Design ni Dukaan Cane table lamp Seagrass Basket, Nicobar
About the craft Region
Traditionally, natural fibers have been used in all cultures for making utilitarian products. Different parts of the West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil
plant are used. Fibers can be extracted from the bark (banana, jute, hemp, ramie), stem (banana, palm, Nadu and Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh.
bamboo), leaf (palm, screw pine, sisal, agave), husk (coir), seeds (cotton), and grass (sikki, madhurkati, benakati,
munj). Animal fibers are obtained from a variety of animal coats, and insect fibers from cocoons.
BAMBOO FURNITURE
Dining table set, La Design Truss Me, Sandeep Sangaru
About the craft Region
The vigorous bamboo craft tradition gets the most creative expression through the craftsmanship of the various Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram,
tribes. The spectacular variety and diverse range of bamboo crafts clearly exhibit the skill of the artisans in Tripura, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal,
working with canes and bamboos. There are various techniques involved in working with Bamboo like binding, Jharkhand and Odisha.
carving, splits, turning etc.
CARVED WOOD FURNITURE
Swan Chair, Design ni Dukaan Furnitures, Design ni Dukaan
About the craft Region
Wood carving in India has been around since ancient times, with ancient wood carved temples in Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kashmir have their distinct style.
bearing witness to this. While Sheesham is the most widely used type of wood, mango, walnut, deodar, ebony Also available in almost all parts of the country.
and sandalwood are also used. Depending on local availability, different woods were used for wood carving
and fashioned into religious, decorative and functional articles.
KALAMKARI PAINTING
Painting on wood, Baaya Paintings on cloth Sarees, Ayush Kejriwal
About the craft Region
Kalamkari derives its name from ‘Kalam’ meaning ‘pen’, and ‘Kari’ meaning ‘work’, or ‘pen-work’. This refined Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
artwork is characterized by mellifluous lines and refined classical figuratives. In ancient times, groups of
musicians and painters called ‘Chitrakattis’ moved from one village to the other, singing and illustrating the
stories of Hindu mythology using this style of art.
GOND PAINTING
Painting, Baaya Painting, Baaya Painting
About the craft Region
These vibrant and imaginative paintings come from the Gond tribe. These paintings are expressions of rituals Madhya Pradesh.
and folklore that are deeply linked with the day-to-day lives, religious sentiments and beliefs of the people. Also available in few pockets of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra
Themes of Gond paintings are often based on local festivals, nature, Gods, men and objects of daily life are and Odisha.
painted in bright, multi-coloured hues.
ROGAN PAINTING
Painting on cloth, Baaya Bags, Itokri Painting on cloth
About the craft Region
The traditional technique of ornamenting a fabric with thick, brightly coloured pigments made with castor oil. It Gujarat
is a rare and completely unique art form that is now practiced by only one family in India, from the western
state of Gujarat. The art came to India from Persia and therefore, also depicts Persian designs till date.
STONE WORK
Table top, Anantaya Marble decor, Anantaya Jars, Anantaya
About the craft Region
The stone-carving tradition in India is one of the richest in the world. The skills were handed down as family Rajasthan, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka
lore from father to son, a practise prevalent in some parts of the country even today. The fascination for stone
has transcended all times and ages. Whether it is ornate inlay with onyx black marble or finely latticed
soapstone, the appeal of the stone has been immutable.
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