Crafts of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is among the richest state in India as far as the field of art and craft is concerned. The richness of Rajasthan is so extraordinary that it touches every aspect of life in the desert and semi desert of Rajasthan and finds new meaning in the expressions of its visitors. No matter whether you are here or there you will always find some kind of interesting arts and crafts in this colorful state. There have been collective efforts in remote villages of Rajasthan where cooperative societies have also been set up by non-government agencies to create opportunities for rural craftsmen to get the maximum benefits of their skills by making reach their products to the urban markets of not only in India but also other countries abroad. This is also one of the reason that local village products are available in the shops of big metropolitan cities today. It is true that quality of many of the handicraft items have got degraded to cater the demand of the tourists for the souvenir market. But at the same time this is supportive for the local market as some of the arts and crafts would have died without the tourists as the local people would not be able to afford some of the expensive products prepared originally for the rich and royals in the past. The history of Rajasthan also reveals that the kings and their nobles were patrons of art and crafts and they encouraged their craftsmen in activities ranging from wood and marble carving to weaving, pottery and painting. May be it was the result of the war which sharpened the creative senses, artistic skills which inspired the craftsmen of Rajasthan to create the most opulent and richest of treasures. Rajasthan has created and preserved rich craft heritage which includes fabulous fabrics in lovely prints, precious and semi-precious stones, Kundan Meenakari Jewellery, embroidered leather work, other hand crafted items of wood, ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver and gold. Some of the popular crafts of Rajasthan are Antiques, Blue Pottery, Carpets, Fabrics, Furniture, Leather ware, Jewellery and Gem Stones, Metal Crafts, Paintings, Puppets and Teracotta items.

Antiques
Rajasthan, especially the villages have been always a rich source of antiques. However so much of the old objects are sold out to the big hotels or have been brought out of the country already since the English ruling time in Rajasthan that not much is left in the state as real antiques. What you see as Antiques today in Rajasthan may not actually be antiques. As there are techniques available where the new articles can be made look like old. Most of the tourists are attracted by this kind of articles. We at Rajasthan Tourism Travel advice to get the proper and authentic papers for the articles which are claimed at antiques and be careful as real antiques may not be exported out of the country.

popular in the markets of western countries. Though not easily approachable, there are many places who follow the exact techniques and traditions that need to be followed while making the Blue Pottery as initially introduced.

very expensive for normal people, so they used Durries (or darris). There has been revival of this art as more people can afford it and this has resulted in a large colorful varieties.In many villages of Rajasthan you may find a large number of Houses where the durrie are woven on the loom in vibrant designs and motifs. A Durrie can be as simple as in a single colour only with a contrasting border. On the other hand due to demand there are some durries with geometric motifs and floral patterns in a mix of contrasting colours. Durries are also available in different sizes. In places such as Bikaner and Jaisalmer, where in winters the temperatures can dip very low, woolen durries are also woven. In Bikaner camel hairs are also used to make Durries which under the mattress keep your bed warm in the chilling winters of the desert.

Carpets
The art of carpet weaving in Rajasthan is a historical royal tradition. In olden Royal days the carpets were specially woven for royal palaces according to the size of a particular room. However it was the Mughals who brought the richness to the carpet weaving. Some of the excellent examples can be still seen in the city palace museum of Jaipur. Even in the Prisons of Rajasthan special looms were erected and these carpets became famous as so-called jail carpets. During the olden royal days the weavers from Afghanistan were brought to Jaipur to train the local people. This is the reason that the hand knotted carpets of Jaipur have so much in common with the Persian carpets in regard to geometric motifs and the formal design. There are many thousand of the families around Jaipur as well as in other cities all over Rajasthan who are specialized in one or another particular Designs and producing the same with perfection. Jaipur has become a big centre for the Carpets in whole of India. Many of the exporters have their head offices here and all possible motifs are available in their huge showrooms.

combinations which are used in such a way that a geometric pattern is recognized easily. Some of the famous area where this work takes place are Bagru and Sanganer. One of the famous art of Rajasthan is known as tie-and-dye. In this technique fabrics are tied into small twists using a thread and then dipped into vats with their array of bright colours to create a mosaic patterns known as Bandhani. This technique is used for sarees and odhnis (a kind of shawl, used by the women of Rajasthan) and by using this techniques different designs and colours can be created. A famous design showing the waves of different colours in known as Lahariya.

Colours and Dyes of Rajasthan
Being in the markets of Jaipur you really realize that if you may have the made a mistake choosing the wrong colour of your newly bought dress or simply if would like to change the colour of your favorite cloths after a while - it is not a big issue in Rajasthan. They can simply be given to the Dyers who are in penalty here in the Bazars of Rajasthan. There is an old tradition of dying the materials in Rajasthan. However these techniques have been given the boost by the growing demands of the tourists especially for the colourful objects. With some specific kind of dye even new papers can be made look old – making the tourists happy having bought an antique for such a less cost !. This is known as aging process of papers. Vegetable colours for paintings are obtained by the natural stones like lapis or indigo. Even Gold is grinded to be used as the fine Gold dust, as used in the precious miniature paintings. For dying clothes the colours are obtained from flowers and barks. Black colour from the sulphate of iron, orange from saffron, yellow from myrobalan, purple from mulberry, green from pistachio, blue from indigo are some of the examples of obtaining the natural colours.

British regime involvement in Rajasthan. Some of the interesting piece of furniture can be seen in the museums of Rajasthan like in the Lalgarh museum of Bikaner !Since the tourists starting showing interest in the old furniture of Rajasthan, there has been development of new techniques in which the new furniture is made look like old furniture. Mostly in these areas you can find so called old items in which windows, a part of carved Balconies, tables, chairs, benches, swings, dressers is offered. As this kind of furniture was used in the big Havellis by the rich business people of Rajasthan, some interesting wooden and metal combinations are available in the markets with decorative elements which are carved beautifully. The old or “new as made old” furniture can be bought from the cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur as well as some areas of Shekhawati like Ramgarh. Some more famous kind of furniture are like painted Chairs of Kishangarh, the leather embroidered chairs of Tilonia, string bottom chairs of Shekhawati. Marble tops for tables also have been used highly in the recent past. Though this art basically flourished after the construction of Taj Mahal in Agra but the availability of good marble mines in Rajasthan brought many of the artisans back to Rajasthan.

Wood Figures with carvings are also highly available in Rajasthan. Wood Carving is done on different kind of woods. One of the option is using mango wood which is not considered as good option. Some of the people use the local Rohira wood which has its reputation for long lasting and being termite free. Termite could really be danger for precious piece of wood therefore, Rohira Wood gives you the peace of mind for your valuable article. There is also a long tradition of doing carving on sandalwood. Carving on Sandalwood is mostly done to create the figures of God and Goddesses as these figures are used in the temples at home of local people and admired as well by tourists due to the lovely sweet smell of the sandalwood. There is also carving work available on the ivory which is banned officially. Import and export of ivory articles is prohibited and subject to prosecution if caught. There are wonderful substitutes available like paintings on marble plates and figures of camel bone.

Gesso Work
In Bikaner, the city which has perhaps the largest number of camels in Rajasthan and with the only camel Farm of Rajasthan there has been a kind of fine craft related to camels which emerged here. In this kind of fine art they used the inner hide (skin) of the camel which is scraped till it has the consistency of paper and is translucent (let the light get through) but not transparent. This is then molded into different forms like lamp shades, frames, perfume bottles or vases. And as an addition to beautify this wonderful art it is painted over with fine colors to make it look richer in its appearance.

Citrine, Black Onyx, Lapis, Earrings, Garnet, Citrine, Moonstone, Carneline, Peridot, Pendants Crystal, Rose Quartz, Garnet, Green Venturine, Tourmaline, Green Onyx. Even those who would not like to spend much would have the temptation to take some stones home as most of the offers are very so lucrative and the choice and colours available are incredible. In no other part of the world can you have the pleasure with the shopping the colour stones and Jewellery so economically as in Rajasthan. The main centre and big hub for the Semi-precious and precious Gemstone and Jewellery is Jaipur, the capital of the state Rajasthan as most of the cutting and polishing is done here in and around Jaipur and there are also big units of Jewellery manufacturing.

Stones are not only used in silver and gold jewellery but you will also find a large verities of the necklaces made of purely gemstones. Big Stones are best used for carving and excellent shining figures are created out of them. A rough rose-pink quartz may be seen getting turning to an elephant. A good stone can be seen being shaped into a God Krishna figure. The reason that Jaipur has become the hub and a mega centre for the gemstones and related Jewellery is that a vast number of people are still using the ancient techniques to cut and polish the stone which are governed by hand and by doing this way stone is held in the hands and with great patience and a lot of time is achieved by skill artisans that almost every part of the rough stone is used in one or another form which is simply not possible by using the fast working machines of the modern stone industry. As India is still not the high wages country, the production remains cheap and competitive.

Kundan Meenakari
Kundan Meenakari is one of the art which is done proudly in Jaipur. This art originated from the Rajputi times and since that Rajasthani people have a kind of monopoly on it. Enameling is an art of using a substance covering the surface of metal, pots or other objects to decorate and beautify them. Enamel is applied when hot and cools to give a hard glossy surface. The Rajputs rulers and royal families of Rajasthan patronized the enameled form of Jewellery which is known today as kundan. Today Jaipur and to some extend Bikaner are the major centres for Kundan. In this art precious stones and very often diamonds, are set into gold artistically creating designs. Enamel work is admired so highly that not only the Jewellery but also the boxes used for the Jewellery and other precious objects, swords, bedrooms tables are decorated with this wonderful work. We are sure you will find amazing to see these craftsmen working in amazingly low lighted surroundings and using only few basic tools, mostly unsophisticated for the western standard but creating some of the finest valuable items of the wonderful Jewellery world of Rajasthan.

The art of setting the Jewellery in Rajasthan is done with such fine details that its not one craftman who has the commend over the whole work but many specializing in their own filed of jewellery settings. Some of the them are mentioned here in brief:

Chhaterra is a person whose task is to engrave the ground on which the stones setting takes place.

Kundansaaz is a person who sets the uncut stones on the made surface and gives the shape and while cooling the still hot precious material is sat in the final shape while hammering putting gold wire around.

Manihar is person who prepares the enamels that will be poured into the hollows to create the patterns. In Jaipur a whole street is dedicated to the people of this community.

Minakaar is so called enameller who places the enamels and fires them individually.

Nyarriya is a person whose task is to refine the gold. Usually 22 carat gold is used for the making of kundan jewellery. 24 caret would be too delicate.

Patwari is the person who provides the finishing touch in the form of the gold and silk cord required by the wearer and is also responsible for stringing the beads, wherever required in the existing designs.

Sangsaza is the person whose job is to polish, cut and if needed to carve the stone with wished decorative motifs.

Sonar or Sunar is the goldsmith who prepares the bezels and moulds in Gold for setting the stones. He also does the polishing and cleaning of the jewellery once the peace is completed so that way also responsible for the quality control.

primitive but the finished products are very individual and give the impression of perfection of their work.

Metal Crafts
The craftsmanship of the metalwork would have not reached its highlights without the need of Rajputi warriors of having not only good functioning but also good looking arms. Some of the museums in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner have the finest examples of the arms collection which are combination of metal and other materials like wood and ivory studded with gem stones and having the base of silver and gold. This development has leaded to the enormous decorative pieces like a range of soldiers of the local army, a group of musicians, animals figures, mostly camels and elephants and some of them so look so real and huge as they used to be the main decorative pieces in the royal living rooms. Metal Table tops with floral work on it are some of the further examples of the metal craftsmanship of Rajasthan.

high valued traditional mineral and vegetable dyes remain unmatched for its quality – though they are expensive and should not be compared with the products available at every street corner. The reason that the miniature paintings of Rajasthan have become so famous is that the fine work with details in it. Every gesture and activity is worked so fine that this is next to its liveliness. The figures in the paintings seem to have their own body language and conveying the messages. Some of the famous schools of Paintings in Rajasthan are Kishangarh, Nathdwara, Jaipur and the Udaipur being the most famous. Ivory was also used as the base material in early days as much loved by the aristocrats and the rich ones. Since recent past it is no more allowed to use ivory and as substitute camel bones and high quality white marble plates are being used. Silk and Canvases are also being used as the base for the miniature paintings. (Canvas has longer life than the silk). Some of the finest works describe the nature in its full form whether being just flowers, trees, wild animals or birds. Recently the old traditions of making paintings with precious stones have been revived and finished products are getting very popular as most of them are affordable for everyone. However the highlight remains the miniature paintings from Udaipur on the old rice paper, silk and camel bones.

Gemstone Painting
Gemstone Painting is an indigenous painting technique which stands among the most sought after handicraft products from India. These glass paintings are unique in themselves as the colors used in them are not ordinary colors rather these are powders of real semi precious stones like garnet, amethyst, cornelian agate, jasper, onyx, chalcedony etc. as a result these paintings are long lasting and retain their colour for many years These paintings are real blend of artist’s meticulousness and imagination.

whole of atmosphere. One of the best shows in Rajasthan take place in Udaipur at Lok Kala Mandal. There is also a puppet museum there.

Stone Carving
In the desert and semi desert of Rajasthan, if there is any thing in penalty that is stone. Everything from pink, yellow and red sandstone to the excellent quality of marble, tamara and chlorite are available in Rajasthan as the art of stone carving flourished here under the patronage of the Rajput rulers. Some of the stone workers work with such comfort that stone in their hands appear as they were working on wood. Some of the areas have made their name in stone carving. To Name a few are Dholpur near Bharatipur to Barmer in the heart of the desert, Marble statues are carved at their best in Jaipur - making the city again a hub for the exporters and importers. The area of Sikandra near Dausa in Rajasthan has also a great number of people working with the sandstone.

deposits the effect of cooling is less  effective and a new earthen pot is needed in next summer. This is one of the example how a village economy keeps working. Terracotta earthen pots are available in different sizes and some times with white colorful designs on it to make it more beautiful. In almost all the villages the traditions of making and using clay pottery can be seen. However artists of Udaipur have developed this culture into a fine art. In Udaipur Potters are using the clay not only to create just pots but also objects of art such as warriors fighting on horses, elephants with the soldiers being just some of the examples. Terracotta is also used to make figures of religious scenes as well as historic ones. The only biggest obstacle has been for Terracotta that the transportation needs a lot of care. As material, Terracotta is fragile being the original material clay. However the Terracotta lovers find their way with the help of wooden trunks to carry them safely even far away to distant countries. This all seems to be worth once a Terracotta article is allotted its final place in a living room.