Crafts of Haryana

‘Handy’ Wares

In Haryana, crafts have never been a major pre-occupation. Most crafts have not evolved into art forms and have remained rooted to their original use and simplicity. Perhaps people were always too involved in the hardships of agricultural life to spare time for crafts. Even when the Green Revolution made agriculture easier, people preferred to continue with agriculture, which was a familiar area, rather than venture into the unknown world of crafts. Historically speaking, Haryana’s craft traditions also never received any royal patronage, as did crafts in Rajasthan or Avadh. Despite all theseproblems, Haryana has some interesting handicrafts on offer including pottery making, handloom, woven furniture, artistic pottery, and woodcarving.

Handloom

Haryana boasts of a robust handloom tradition, especially in Panipat and an equally vibrant handicraft tradition. Panipat is a major textile town of India famous for its rugs and upholstery fabric. Traditionally women would weave durries (rugs) and khes (thick coverlets) for household use whenever they would be free from agricultural and household work. However, today theses rugs, especially the panja durries (named after a weaving method) are