Handicrafts in India

Handicraft is generally called craftsmanship or workmanship done by hands. Skilled people make various goods from simple tools ranging from consumer goods to decorative items made of paper, wood, clay, shells, rock, stone, metal etc. These items are called handicrafts, because they are made completely by hand and without the help of any machine.

Are handicrafts popular in India?

India is known for its ethnicity. As far as art and culture are concerned, India is one of the culturally rich countries of the world. It has been the good fortune of the country that there have been very efficient prisoners. He has made Indian handicrafts famous all over the world. Many rural people still earn their livelihood by making creative objects of art.

Different types of handicrafts in India?

India is a manufacturing hub for making various types of handicrafts which is also famous in the international market. The most famous forms of handicrafts in India are as follows:

Bamboo Handicrafts:

Being a manufacturer of bamboo, bamboo handicrafts are the most eco-friendly crafts in India. Many types of items are made from bamboo, such as baskets, dolls, toys, sieves, mats, wall hangings, umbrella handles, crossbows, khorahi, kula, dukula, saddles, jewelery boxes etc. Most of the bamboo handicrafts are made in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura.

Cane Handicrafts: 

Cane goods are a popular form of handicraft in India which include useful items like trays, baskets, stylish furniture etc.

Bell Metal Handicrafts:

The hardened form of brass which is used in making bells is called bell metal. This hard alloy is used in making Sindoor boxes, bowls, candle stands, pendants and many crafts. Bell metal handicrafts are mostly prevalent in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and Manipur. In Madhya Pradesh, this form of handicraft is known as tribal craft.

Bone and Horn Handicrafts:

Originating in the state of Odisha, bone and horn handicrafts are famous for making bird and animal motifs that look very real and lifelike. Apart from this, pan stands, jewelry, cigarette boxes, table lamps, chilly and salt sets, chess sets, napkin rings, laughing Buddha etc. are made in Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

Brass Handicrafts:

Brass utensils are famous due to the durability of brass items. Brass items like statues of Creeping Krishna or Lord Ganesha in various postures, vases, tabletops, vented lamps, jewelry boxes, hookahs, toys, wine glasses, plates, flowerpots and many other items are used in Indian homes. These artisans are known as Kansari. Brass utensils are mostly made in Rajasthan.

Pottery Handicrafts: 

Pottery is the oldest form of handicraft in India, having its origins in the Indus Valley Civilization. People engaged in this work are called potters. Apart from its world-famous terracotta form, clay handicrafts include red ware, gray ware and black ware. Uttar Pradesh is known for black painted utensils. Apart from Krishnanagar in West Bengal, pottery is made in Bikaner, Lucknow, Pune and Himachal Pradesh. Earthen pots, decorative items, jewelry etc. are widely used throughout the country.

Dhokra Handicraft: 

Dhokra is the oldest form of handicraft and is known for its traditional simplicity. This tribal handicraft originated in Madhya Pradesh. States like West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha are involved in making these handicrafts. Dhokra is known for its unique wares showcasing folk character. Dhokra jewelry, candle stands, pan stands, ash trays and many types of decorative items are available in all the handicraft shops.

Jute Handicrafts: 

Jute artisans have made their special place in jute handicrafts all over the world. The wide range of jute crafts includes bags, office stationery, bangles and other jewelry, footwear, wall hangings and many more. West Bengal, Assam and Bihar are the largest jute producers and also the leaders of the jute handicrafts market in India.

Paper Handicrafts: 

Many crafts like kites, masks, decorative flowers, lamp shades, puppets, hand fans etc. are made by mixing brightly colored paper. Kutti, developed during the Mughal period, is a famous form of paper handicraft in India. This craft industry is mainly located in Delhi, Rajgir, Patna, Gaya, Awadh, Ahmedabad and Allahabad. Apart from this, there are paper craftsmen in almost every city.

Rock Handicrafts:

The oldest form of rock art is rock carvings which can be seen in Rajasthan, Jaipur, Orissa and Nagpur. Rajasthan, Jaipur and Madhya Pradesh are famous for marble carvings. The specialty of Madhya Pradesh is the art of green colored stones, while Patharkatti is the unique rock craft of Gaya. The ancient temples of Odisha are world famous examples of India's rock sculptures. Many utensils, decorative items, stone ornaments and sculptures are made from the rock.

Rock Handicrafts:

Rock handicrafts have been in demand in India since ancient times. Shell handicrafts are made from three types of shells namely conch shell, tortoise shell and seashell. Many types of items like bangles, forks, decorative bowls, lockets, spoons, buttons, curtains, chandeliers, mirror frames, table mats etc. are items of shell handicrafts. Generally, the places situated on the seacoast like Gulf of Mannar, Goa, Odisha etc. are the places of rock handicrafts.

Silver filigree work or meenakari or tarakashi: 

filigree work or tarakashi is creative handicraft work done with gold or silver wires. There are three types of fine silver work: meenakari, openwork and flowers and leaves. Its most famous works include pendants, tea trays, trinket boxes, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and other types of jewelry. Apart from Cuttack in Odisha, Karimnagar in Telangana is also famous for this handicraft.

Weaving or Embroidery Handicraft: 

The production of fabrics by weaving them from two sets of threads, warp and weft, is called weaving. This traditional form of handicraft is especially found in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Bandhani, a famous form of weaving, is made in Jamnagar and Rajkot. Bihar and Karnataka are known for their embroidery work.

Wooden Handicrafts: 

Wooden handicrafts were prevalent in India long before stone sculptures came into existence. Various items were made by skilled craftsmen by shaping a piece of wood. Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh are known for their unique woodwork. Axes, toys, utensils, decorative items, ornaments and many decorative home items like lamp shades, candle stands, sindoor boxes, jewelry boxes, bangle holders etc. are some of the common wooden crafts that are used in almost every Indian home.

Other types of handicrafts in India

Apart from the forms of handicrafts mentioned above, the handicrafts prevalent in India are:

•       Enamel handicrafts
•      Glass handicrafts 
•      Kiritam Handicrafts
•      Lacquer handicrafts
•      Lace or Zari Handicraft
•      Leather handicraft
•      Marble handicrafts
•      Metal handicrafts
•      Painting
•      Stone handicraft
•      Tilla Juteez

Government Handicraft Shops

The best handicrafts can be purchased from state-based government handicraft shops. However, the handicrafts of every state are different. Apart from this, many handicraft emporiums can be found in every big city and town. Some of the famous handicraft shops across India are:

•      Dilli Hat in Delhi
•      Art medium in Bangalore
•      MESH in Delhi and Hyderabad
•      Khazanah at Taj Group of Hotels
•      Ekamra Hat in Bhubaneswar
•      Rajsthali in Jaipur