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The Enduring Legacy of Indian Arts and Crafts: A Source of Inspiration and Amazement for the World

Spread India's Glorious Cultural & Spiritual Heritage

ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः ॐ श्री शिवानन्दाय नमः ॐ श्री चिदानन्दाय नमःॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः 

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Stand up for craftspeople: how to support India’s artisan community during the COVID-19 crisis

All Indian states have their own styles of art and crafts, creating an extraordinary treasure trove of unique craftsmanship.

In fact, the rich and exotic appeal of high-quality handicraft goods produced by communities and tribes across different cultures and regions of India ‑ be it through the bold use of colours, patterns, texture or design ‑ is simply awe-inspiring, spanning the unknown, unheard of corners and the remotest interiors of the Indian subcontinent.

The stunning beauty of these arts and crafts has not only attracted demand for them in a big way just from the internal domestic market, but has also enabled this sector to carve a niche in the International Global Markets.

This had made India one of the world’s largest exporters and suppliers of some of the breathtakingly beautiful handicrafts.

The crafts of India are diverse, rich in history and religion.

The crafts of each state in India reflect the influence of different Royal Empires of the past, that have ruled this culturally magnificent country, down the ages in Indian history.

Throughout centuries, crafts have been embedded as a culture and tradition within India’s extremely creative rural communities.

Interested in buying some of these artifacts of different regions of India for decorating your living room space or office?

Or would you like to buy one of these creations of some of the brilliant craftsmen of India, as a lovely gift for Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Christmas, Anniversary, Birthday, Marriage or Thanks Giving? 

Here are some posted right underneath for you to explore and choose from, for your easy convenient purchase

Here is a small selection of some of the stunningly beautiful ethnic arts and crafts of India, collected from multifarious sources, with heartiest thanks to these brilliant craftsmen of India.

Our heartiest thanks also go to the dedicated photographers, who’ve made these images available to the art-loving world :

Kriahnanagar clay dolls
Kriahnanagar clay dolls
Kriahnanagar clay dolls
Brass oil lamp of Tamilnadu

Buy Nexplora Brass Peacock Lamps & other Lamps here at Amazon India

Buy Radha Deepam & Ashtotra Deepam from Poompuhar here  

Buy Brass Annam Hanging Lamp from Poompuhar hereBuy Brass Ornamental Annam Lamps from Poompuhar Emporium here  

The brick & motor showroom of Poompuhar is far superior to its Online Store

Swamimalai bronze statue

Purchase Chola Bronze Statues (Replicas) from Cholan Arts at Amazon India here  

For exclusive Chola Bronze Statues (Replicas), write here to Poompuhar

Buy Chola bronze statues from ‘Cholan Boutique Swamimalai’ on Amazon India

Nachiarkoil brass oil lamp

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Buy Radha Deepam & Ashtotra Deepam from Poompuhar here  

Buy Brass Annam Hanging Lamp from Poompuhar here

Buy Brass Ornamental Annam Lamps from Poompuhar Emporium here  

The brick & motor showroom of Poompuhar is far superior to its Online Store

Nachiarkoil brass oil lamp – Kutthu Vilakku

Buy Nexplora Brass Peacock Lamps & other Lamps here at Amazon India

Buy Radha Deepam & Ashtotra Deepam from Poompuhar here  

Buy Brass Annam Hanging Lamp from Poompuhar hereBuy Brass Ornamental Annam Lamps from Poompuhar Emporium here  

The brick & motor showroom of Poompuhar is far superior to its Online Store

Bhoga Shakti : Swamimalai bronze statue

Purchase Chola Bronze Statues (Replicas) from Cholan Arts at Amazon India here

For exclusive Chola Bronze Statues (Replicas), write here to Poompuhar

Buy Chola bronze statues from ‘Cholan Boutique Swamimalai’ on Amazon India

Parvati : Swamimalai bronze statue

Purchase Chola Bronze Statues (Replicas) from Cholan Arts at Amazon India here

For exclusive Chola Bronze Statues (Replicas), write here to Poompuhar

Buy Chola bronze statues from ‘Cholan Boutique Swamimalai’ on Amazon India

Bhoga Shakti : Swamimalai bronze statue

Purchase Chola Bronze Statues (Replicas) from Cholan Arts at Amazon India here

For exclusive Chola Bronze Statues (Replicas), write here to Poompuhar

Buy Chola bronze statues from ‘Cholan Boutique Swamimalai’ on Amazon India

Pattachitra painting of Odisha

Buy Pattachitra paintings from Haastika on Amazon India by clicking here

Buy Pattachitra paintings on Amazon India by clicking here

Pattachitra painting of Odisha

Buy Pattachitra paintings from Haastika on Amazon India by clicking here

Buy Pattachitra paintings on Amazon India by clicking here

Pattachitra painting of Odisha

Buy Pattachitra paintings from Haastika on Amazon India by clicking here

Buy Pattachitra paintings on Amazon India by clicking here

Pipli applique embroidery garden umbrella, Odisha
Pipli applique embroidery garden umbrella, Odisha
Thanjavur painting

Explore & purchase Tanjore paintings from MyAngadi at Amazon India

Also explore Kumkum Gallery, the Tanjore painting specialist for purchasing

Kumkum Gallery Tanjore paintings on Amazon India  

For exclusive Tanjore paintings, write here to Poompuhar

Ganesha : Thanjavur painting
Krishna & Radha : Thanjavur painting

Explore & purchase Tanjore paintings from MyAngadi at Amazon India

Also explore Kumkum Gallery, the Tanjore painting specialist for purchasing

Kumkum Gallery Tanjore paintings on Amazon India  

For exclusive Tanjore paintings, write here to Poompuhar

Yashoda with baby Krishna : Thanjavur painting
Thanjavur painting
Baby krishna : Thanjavur painting

Explore & purchase Tanjore paintings from MyAngadi at Amazon India

Also explore Kumkum Gallery, the Tanjore painting specialist for purchasing

Kumkum Gallery Tanjore paintings on Amazon India  

For exclusive Tanjore paintings, write here to Poompuhar

Explore & purchase exclusive Jaipur Blue Pottery from Neerja’s Online Store here

Buy Jaipur blue pottery items from Craftghar on Amazon India, by clicking here

Explore & purchase exclusive Jaipur Blue Pottery from Neerja’s Online Store here

Buy Jaipur blue pottery items from Craftghar on Amazon India, by clicking here

Explore & purchase exclusive Jaipur Blue Pottery from Neerja’s Online Store here

Buy Jaipur blue pottery items from Craftghar on Amazon India, by clicking here

Buy Nexplora Brass Peacock Lamps & other Lamps here at Amazon India

Buy Radha Deepam & Ashtotra Deepam from Poompuhar here  

Buy Brass Annam Hanging Lamp from Poompuhar here

Buy Brass Ornamental Annam Lamps from Poompuhar Emporium here  

The brick & motor showroom of Poompuhar is far superior to its Online Store

Buy Nexplora Brass Peacock Lamps & other Lamps here at Amazon India

Buy Radha Deepam & Ashtotra Deepam from Poompuhar here  

Buy Brass Annam Hanging Lamp from Poompuhar here

Buy Brass Ornamental Annam Lamps from Poompuhar Emporium here  

The brick & motor showroom of Poompuhar is far superior to its Online Store

Explore & purchase Shivani wood artifacts here from Cauvery Crafts

And for huge exclusive statues of Shivaniwood write here to Cauvery Craft

Explore & purchase Shivani wood artifacts here from Cauvery Crafts

And for huge exclusive statues of Shivaniwood write here to Cauvery Craft

Buy Nexplora Brass Peacock Lamps & other Lamps here at Amazon India

Buy Radha Deepam & Ashtotra Deepam from Poompuhar here  

Buy Brass Annam Hanging Lamp from Poompuhar here

Buy Brass Ornamental Annam Lamps from Poompuhar Emporium here  

The brick & motor showroom of Poompuhar is far superior to its Online Store

Explore & purchase Shivani wood artifacts here from Cauvery Crafts

And for huge exclusive statues of Shivaniwood write here to Cauvery Craft

Explore & purchase Shivani wood artifacts here from Cauvery Crafts

And for huge exclusive statues of Shivaniwood write here to Cauvery Craft

Buy Handcrafted Cane Baskets on Amazon India, by clicking here

Buy Handcrafted Cane Baskets on Amazon India, by clicking here

Buy Odisha’s horn crafts from Haastika’s Online Store by clicking here

Buy Odisha’s horn crafts from ‘Hasstika Store’ by clicking here on ‘Snapdeal’  ‘Flipkart’ & ‘Amazon India’

Buy Odisha’s horn crafts here from ‘Amazon India’

Buy buffalo horn handicrafts from Snapdeal by clicking here

Buy Odisha’s horn crafts from Haastika’s Online Store by clicking here

Buy Odisha’s horn crafts from ‘Hasstika Store’ by clicking here on ‘Snapdeal’  ‘Flipkart’ & ‘Amazon India’

Buy Odisha’s horn crafts here from ‘Amazon India’

Buy buffalo horn handicrafts from Snapdeal by clicking here

Want to buy enamelled & engraved brass flower vases of Moradabad & other parts of India on ‘Amazon India’ ? Click here to buy

Click here to buy brass wall plates, wall hangings of Moradabad on ‘Amazon India’

To buy brass fruit bowl of Moradabad on ‘Amazon India’, Click here

Want to buy enamelled & engraved brass flower vases of Moradabad & other parts of India on ‘Amazon India’ ? Click here to buy

Click here to buy brass wall plates, wall hangings of Moradabad on ‘Amazon India’

To buy brass fruit bowl of Moradabad on ‘Amazon India’, Click here

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Bankura terracotta horse
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Bankura terracotta horse
Khavda pottery of Gujarat
Khavda pottery of Gujarat
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Metal Crafts of different regions of India  

Metal Crafts includes metal work using Zinc, Copper, Brass, Silver, Gold etc. Some of the traditional ancient metal handicraft styles of India are Bidriware, Pembarthi, Dhokra, Kamrupi, Moradabadi brassware, Swamimalai bronze, Nachiarkoil brass lamps etc.  

Due to its striking inlay art-work, Bidriware is an important export handicraft of India and is prized as a symbol of wealth. The metal used is an alloy of zinc and copper inlaid with thin sheets of pure silver.  

Pembarthi metal craft is a handicraft made in Pembarthi, in the Telangana state of south India. These crafts are popular for their exquisite art works. This meticulous art-work of brass flourished during the reign of Kakatiya empire. Kakatiyas extensively used this art-form to adorn chariots and temples.  

Dhokra is metal craft using the lost-wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still used.  

Kamrupi Brass and Bell Metal products of Kamrup in Assam are famous for their beauty and utility. The State Museum in Guwahati has a rich collection of these metalic wonders.    

Crafts of Bihar  

Bihar is renowned worldwide for its cute Madhubani paintings. Bhagalpur paintings, also known as Manjusha Art, are also very well known, and so is the extraordinary delicacy of local quilting.

Crafts of Rajasthan    

Rajasthan, renowned worldwide for its Royal heritage, is an Indian state with prominent and well-established craft industry. Craft remains a tradition in Rajasthan, preserved over centuries by the stronghold of the Royal Rajput emperors of the region.

Craftsmen in Rajasthan see this not as an occupation for livelihood, but rather as a mark of respect to their glorious heritage. Decorative patterns adorn all art and craft-forms in Rajasthan.

The Rajasthani craft industry is iconic to the identity of India, with many of its popular styles arts and crafts reaching the global international markets.

Tie-dyeing is an example of how international fashion aesthetics have evolved from these simple, age-old crafts techniques of Rajasthan.  

Crafts of Gujarat  

Gujarat is renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its ethnic textiles. Located near the border of Rajasthan, the two states share similarities in crafts culture and identity.

The ancient Indus Valley Civilization inhabited the entire region once, which in its turn has influenced the entire textile industry of the region.

Hand block printing is a widely used and popular form of textile printing in this region.

In Bandhani style, which is a unique Gujarati craft, fabric is tied at different sections before dyeing to create patterns. This art-form through dyeing has emerged from the highly creative rural communities of this Indian state.  

Crafts of Assam
In the far eastern region of India is located the state of Assam, a state recognized for its ultra creative use of the local raw materials in textiles and crafts.

Assam was one of the states whose craft-work was exhibited in the National Handicrafts and Handloom Museum in 2010, showcased to the then US first lady, Michelle Obama.

Production of silk fabrics is iconic of Assamese textile industry. Silk is the most valued raw material of Assam,  It is mostly the local women who weave these silk fabrics, using a domestic loom.

Mahatma Gandhi had remarked once that ‘Assamese women are born weavers, they weave fairy-tales in their cloth’. Domestic weaving is an important craft for Assamese women, and their marriage and future is seen to depend upon this brilliant skill.

Weaving holds a beautiful cultural value in Assam. The silk and textile industry is also an economic resource to the state with over 25000 families associated with this craft. Cane and bamboo crafts are also unique to Assam.


Crafts of South India

The diverse religious beliefs of south India has had a great impact on the crafts of this region of India.

The region has seen the rule of various foreign empires such as the Mughal, Portuguese, Dutch, French and British, along with the local Dravidian empires of the great Cholas, Cherans, Pandians, Pallavas, Chalukyas and other Royal Dynasties of the region.

Each has left its unique mark and unique style on the traditional local arts crafts and textiles.

Dravidian style, stone carved temples of Tamil Nadu reflect the influence of the most ancient Hinduism, whilst Roman Catholic churches echo the impact of the British rule.

Temple carvings are symbolic of the brilliant craft skills in the Tamil Nadu region.

The Meenakshi temple of MaduraiArunachaleshwarar Temple TiruvannamalaiChidambaram Nataraja Temple etc reveal and prove the extraordinary skills and utmost devotion put into these craft-works by the craftsmen and sculptors of the ancient and medieval times.

Each section of Meenakshi temple is a sacred shrine to a Hindu deity. 

North of Tamil Nadu is Karnataka, a region renowned for its wood and stone carving.

The forests of this region provide extensive supplies of raw materials, mostly rosewood. For wood workers, crafting magnificent statues for large temples is a major source of income.

The forms of characters from Hindu mythology in the statues are most artistically and carefully carved with a chisel by the local craftsmen.


Spread India's Glorious Cultural & Spiritual Heritage

By Mala Chandrashekhar

Introducing Blogger Mala Chandrashekhar - a specialist academically trained in modern Western sciences, yet deeply enamored with India's timeless ethnic arts, crafts, and textiles. Her heart beats for the rich and glorious cultural and spiritual heritage of India, and she has dedicated her entire blog to spreading the immortal glories of ancient India worldwide. Through her simple yet impactful blog posts, Mala aims to reach every nook and corner of the globe, sharing India's beauty and wisdom with the world.

But Mala doesn't stop at just sharing her own thoughts and ideas. She welcomes constructive criticisms and suggestions to improve her blog and make it even more impactful. And if you share her passion for India's culture and heritage, she extends a warm invitation for high-quality guest blog posts.

Ready to dive into the world of India's ageless beauty? Follow Mala on LinkedIn and join her in spreading the magic of ancient India to the world.

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