THEWA ART
The art of setting gold on glass is known as Thewa Art. Thewa is a rare and distinct skill of Rajasthani Rajsonia of Pratapgarh. Necklace sets,pillboxes,photoframes,pendent,earings are main products.
SANDAL WOOD CARVING
Based on ivory crafts shifted to sandalwood items. Beautiful carved work and wonderful finishing makesd this craft worldwide popular. Gods,Ambabadi,Elephant,Chess pieces and Jewellary items are main product. This craft is practiced in Jaipur and Churu.
TIE & DYE
Bandhani is the local name for the Tie & Dye process. It is a resics technique. Parts of fabric remain UN-dyed because they are covered by “Tied Threads” and knots before dying. Cotton,Silk,Chiffon,Sarees,dress materials and bed covers are made at Jaipur,Churu,Jodhpur and Sikar. Tradition based items are worn on the particular occasions and a particular group of ladies and by no other one. Gents turbans are made in different designs and colours.
TEXTILES HAND BLOCK PRINTING
Various techniques of printing and dying are used in the textiles of Rajasthan. Eco-friendly dye stuffs and chemicals are used. The printings are named on the basis of their practicing towns.
- a) Dabu Textiles Hand Block Printing – Dabu is the local name for the racist print process,mud,racist paste is applied by hand,using wooden blocks to seal the fabric from the effect of further treatment. This type of printing is done in Bagru,Baotra and Akola mainly.
- b) Bagru – Fabous for its alizarinered,ironblack,oval,beigethecharacteristics of this type of painting. Very often the ground is dyed in indigo blue,green and black.
- c) Azrak Print – Traditonally the products were by Sindhi muslims as loongies and headgears, in the indigo blue and aligrine red colours are used.
- d) Sanganer – Exclusive and fine printing is in subdued colours were patronized by royalty. It has a large export market tioday. Screen printing fast taking over. However,Sanganer prints for royal use had a
distinctive fineness. Motifs are based on flowers, which were not necessarily native.
TOYS & DOLLS
The Rajasthani toys &dolls,puppets are more popular. They are printed in colours to add to their attractiveness and charm for the children. There attractive dresses make them more charmful. Material in making these items are stuffed cotton,wood and paper machie. Jaipur and Jodhpur are main production centers.
LAC BANGLES & DECORATIVE ITEMS
Lac items are mainly based on tradition like Bangles in different designs, other decorative articles are images of God &Goddesses,KKings& Queens and different kind of birds and animals. These are decorated with glass beeds. Main production center is Jaipur.
KOFTKARI
Koftkari is a craft of silver wire inlay in a iron plate,swordhandle,shields. This craft is now a lesser known one and practiced by a very few craftsman at Jaipur and Ajmer.
MOTHER OF PEARLS
Pieces of sea shells are stucked together around wood to form a mosaic like outer layer. This art is also been done on bone and brass items. The craft is practiced in Jodhpur.
CAMEL HIDE
The art of pure gold and stone colours, on camel leather,vessels is known as camel hide. This craft is practiced at Jodhpur and Bikaner.
EMBROIDERY
Little shiny mirrors and embroidering beautiful skirts,jackets,Wall hangings and cushion covers etc. traditional Rajasthani motifs and heart warmingcolours are blended well in these master pieces. Jaisalmer,Barmer and Jodhpur are the main production centers.
IRON CRAFT
Practiced in Jaisalmer&Tillonia by way of twisting iron wires and cutting the sheets. Main products are animal figures and decorative kitchenware stands and corners. Good potential for exports.
WOOD CARVING
This craft is practiced in Jaisalmer,Barmer,Jodhpur and Jaipur. Finest quality of carving is made on furniture, windows,partitions,beds and sofas. The seasoned wood is used, so these products are quite sturdy and long lasting. Painting on wooden furniture is done at Krishangarh and Ajmer.
LACQUARE WARE
The richly painted lacquered furniture of Rajasthan is an instant crowd puller. The vibrant colours,the shiny gloss and the basic rounded forms of lacquered designing/setting.
JEWELLARY
Rajasthan has a rich culture of kundan (Precious Stone with Emeralds), gold and silver jewellery. Both men & Women worn jewellery. Gem cutting,polishing and setting in Jaipur are renowned the worl wide. The art of Meenakari (Enameling) dates back to early 17th Century. Meenakari is often combined with Gems cutting jewellery. hewa art of Pratapgarh is well guarded secret of Rajasthani families. Thewa art of Pratapgarh is well guarded secret of Rajasthani families.
It consists of delicate gold leaf work embedded into glass or enamel framed with silver or gold. Silver has always been a popular Metal for Jewellery – also in Rajasthan where it is very often combined with village rituals and faith.
TERRACOTA
Look for decorative clay work at the main centers. The terracotta images and voitives of Molela near Udaipur,are made for the tribal and villages. January is its peak season. Beautiful terracotta horses for religious offerings, 2.5 ft. in heaght are made in Jallore,Ahora districts. Terracotta toys of BU(Nagaur District) and Merta are popular articles in local fairs. Pottery is made all over Rajasthan. Centers – Alwar,Bharatpur,Jaipur,Bikaner,Dausa& Kota etc.
LEATHER
Leather products are rich in design and display,highskill,majris or jutties(Leather Shoes) for local needs and some embroidered with silk threads, applique or bead work. Camel hide increasingly popular because it is soft and flexible,embroidered hand bags,coinpurses,belt and pouches, seats and back rest of chairs. Bikaner is known for its beautiful gesso work on camel hide,lampshades,traditional flasks and perfume bottles are painted in bright colours and gold,using a special technique. Membrophonic instruments – Dholak,Tabla etc. are made by the Dabgar community using camel hide. Look for them in almost every major towns. Centers – Jaipur,Ajmer,Bharatpur,SikarSawaimadhopur etc.
PAPER MACIE
The combination of aesthetic with frugality and utility is no where more evident than in simple village life. Decorative shelves and containers of paper mache is highly evolved craft in West Rajasthan. Made out of waste paper and clay, the big containers or kothis are Light and lasting, decorated with pieces of glass paint and relief work. Today paper machine is a commercial craft – marriages,decorations,pops and back drops for Jhankis (Festive Occasions) are made at Jaipur,Bharatpur and Ajmer,Palai (District Tonk) has a unit for making furniture out of PapierMachie.
BLUE ART POTTERY
The Persian art of glazed blue pottery found its way to Jaipur via the Moghul courts. Later the art was revived with the help of Master Craftsman Kripal Singh Shekhawat,who continues to add and design and colours to it. Jaipur,SanganermMahalan and Neota are known for blue pottery. Specially notable are the painted tiles,vases,bowls,soap dishes and door knobs.
METAL CRAFT
Damascening, Lac colouring,Enameling, Engraving, Inlay, punching and casting – all techniques are known and practiced in Rajasthan, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur are the main centers for metal craft.
Swords and shields, essential for rituals, Jaipur, Udaipur and Sirohi are the main centers to damascening in which gold or silver wire is hammered into grooves chiseled out on an iton or steel surface. Koftakari, a lesser work, where silver or gold is simply stuck on the ground. Metal field is a craft at Jaipur, Ajmer and Pushkar.
Jaipur is known for its engraved, laqered or enameled brassware for decorative purposes. Jodhpur is a very big centre for metal craft today mainly for handicrafted iron. Also known for its aluminium shields and trophies.
STONE/MARBLE WORK
Rocks of various hues have provided raw material not only for Rajasthan’s unique architecture but also for the Taj Mehal, Agra and RashtrapatiBhawan at Delhi. The art of Jail or trellis work converts stones into lace. Pillers, Jali work and stone carving for buildings is a living craft in Rajasthan and craftsmen are specially commissioned for work outside. This is also an export item in Jaisalmer. Known for marble idons in many temples in North India, Khazane-Walon-ka-rasta in Jaipur is the centre for this flourishing craft.
Carved marble bowls, vases, plates decorated with meenakari are emerging trend in the market Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Sirohi, Udaipur, Nathdwara etc.,
Rajasthan is a state in northwestern India. It is the largest state in India by area, covering an area of 342,239 square kilometers (132,139 sq mi). The state is bordered by Pakistan to the northwest, Gujarat to the west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south. The state capital is Jaipur.
Rajasthan is a land of contrasts. It is home to the Thar Desert, the world’s largest hot desert, as well as the Aravalli Range, a mountain range that runs through the state. The state is also home to a number of historical and cultural sites, including the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, and the Lake Palace in Udaipur.
Rajasthan is a popular tourist destination, and its handicrafts are known for their beauty and craftsmanship. The state is home to a number of handicraft centers, including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Kota, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Alwar, Sikar, Nagaur, Barmer, Jalore, Pali, Sirohi, Dungarpur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Dausa, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Bundi, Jhalawar, and Baran.
The following are some of the Main centers for Handicraft in Rajasthan:
- Jaipur: Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is known for its pink sandstone buildings and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Jaipur Handicrafts Emporium, the Chokhi Dhani, and the Patrika Gate Market.
- Jodhpur: Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan and is known for its blue sandstone buildings and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Mehrangarh Fort Museum, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, and the Sardar Market.
- Udaipur: Udaipur is a city in the south of Rajasthan and is known for its lakes and palaces. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the City Palace, the Jag Mandir Palace, and the Lake Palace.
- Bikaner: Bikaner is a city in the north of Rajasthan and is known for its forts and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Junagarh Fort, the Lalgarh Palace, and the Bikaner Camel Breeding Farm.
- Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer is a city in the western part of Rajasthan and is known for its yellow sandstone buildings and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Jaisalmer Fort, the Patwon Ki Haveli, and the Gadisar Lake.
- Kota: Kota is a city in the east of Rajasthan and is known for its steel Industry and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Kota Steel Plant, the Kota Museum, and the Kota Cloth Market.
- Ajmer: Ajmer is a city in the north of Rajasthan and is known for its Dargah Sharif and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the Ajmer Fort, and the Hawa Mahal.
- Bharatpur: Bharatpur is a city in the south of Rajasthan and is known for its bird sanctuary and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Keoladeo National Park, the Bharatpur Palace, and the Fatehpur Sikri.
- Alwar: Alwar is a city in the north of Rajasthan and is known for its forts and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Alwar Fort, the Government Museum, and the Alwar Cloth Market.
- Sikar: Sikar is a city in the north of Rajasthan and is known for its textiles and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Sikar Cloth Market, the Sikar Fort, and the Sikar Museum.
- Nagaur: Nagaur is a city in the west of Rajasthan and is known for its camels and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Nagaur Fort, the Nagaur Museum, and the Nagaur Camel Breeding Farm.
- Barmer: Barmer is a city in the west of Rajasthan and is known for its oil fields and its handicrafts. The city is home to a number of handicraft centers, including the Barmer Fort, the Barmer Museum, and the Barmer Cloth Market.
- Jalore: Jalore is a city in the west of Rajasthan and is known for its forts and its handicrafts. The
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Rajasthan’s main centers for handicraft:
- What are the main centers for handicraft in Rajasthan?
The main centers for handicraft in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Bikaner.
- What are some of the most popular handicrafts from Rajasthan?
Some of the most popular handicrafts from Rajasthan include:
- Tie-dye
- Leatherwork
- Metalwork
- Woodwork
- Carpet weaving
Pottery
Where can I buy handicrafts from Rajasthan?
You can buy handicrafts from Rajasthan at many places, including:
- Government emporia
- Handicraft cooperatives
- Private shops
Online retailers
What are some of the benefits of buying handicrafts from Rajasthan?
Some of the benefits of buying handicrafts from Rajasthan include:
- Supporting local artisans
- Promoting traditional crafts
- Getting high-quality products
Making a unique purchase
What are some of the things to keep in mind when buying handicrafts from Rajasthan?
Some of the things to keep in mind when buying handicrafts from Rajasthan include:
- The quality of the product
- The price of the product
- The authenticity of the product
The origin of the product
What are some of the challenges facing the handicraft industry in Rajasthan?
Some of the challenges facing the handicraft industry in Rajasthan include:
- Competition from mass-produced goods
- Lack of government support
- Lack of skilled artisans
Lack of Marketing and promotion
What are some of the initiatives being taken to promote the handicraft industry in Rajasthan?
Some of the initiatives being taken to promote the handicraft industry in Rajasthan include:
- Setting up government emporia
- Promoting handicraft cooperatives
- Providing training to artisans
Marketing and promoting handicrafts online
What is the future of the handicraft industry in Rajasthan?
The future of the handicraft industry in Rajasthan is bright. The government is taking steps to promote the industry, and there is a growing demand for handicrafts from Rajasthan both domestically and internationally.
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