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May 2005, Newsletter
Crafts In India
Indian royalty lived a life of splendor, elegance and opulence. The beautiful sculptures, vivid paintings, aesthetic furniture and the exquisite accessories, which adorned their palaces, spoke volumes of their refined taste. They patronized artisans to produce the creations that combined profoundness with visual appeal. Being true to their potential, artisans produced works of art that displayed their devotion and dexterity to the hilt.

Today, neither the royalty nor those artisans survive but the myriad traditions and the techniques, which gave, rise to the stunning composition in fabrics and artifacts in varied materials, still survive in some far-flung corners of India. Let us take you to the treasure trove of some of those products that are still executed using traditional techniques.
All prices mentioned here are inclusive of shipment cost. The products are delieverd through FedEx accross the globe.

Textiles

Indian textiles have been popular since time immemorial. Reams of pages can be filled in explaining the finesse of the Indian fabrics. An interesting story runs which notes that Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had a fit of rage when one day he saw his daughter princess Zeb-un-Nissa clad in almost nothing. On being severely rebuked, the princess explained that she had not one but seven jamahs (dresses) on her body.

Indians were also well versed with the various printing techniques like block printing, tie and dye, batik, and resist printing. The colors used in printing were 100% eco friendly; derived from the pigments of vegetables, minerals and metals. These printing traditions produced amazing floral and geometric patterns on the cotton, wool and silk fabrics.

The traditional saris, suits, shawls, bedspreads, table spreads, cushion covers, carpets, mats, and rugs carrying the ethnic weaving and embroidery traditions like appliqué, phulkari, zardoozi, and brocade formed a part of the lifestyle of the royalty, nobility and even the common man.

Today, Sanganer in Rajasthan, Surat and Jamnagar in Gujarat, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Triuchirapalli and Tanjore in South India are few of the centers which continue to produce these textile creations in customary fashion.
Block Printed Bedspread with stich work - US $ 55
Indigo Block Printed Bedspread - US $ 55
Sublime Orange Cushion
Cover Set of 5 - US $ 65		 Exquisite Silk Cushion
Cover Set of 5 - US $ 65		 Dew kissed Satin Cushion
Cover Set of 5 - US $ 65

Home Décor

The crystal chandeliers, vases in marble with inlay work, glassware like colored rose water sprinklers (Gulab-pash), hukka base, chilam-posh (tobacco and fire container), and the bidriware utensils where craftsmen inlaid metals like silver, brass onto vessels of a metal alloy were in vogue in the households of aristocracy.

The intricate carving and design on the containers executed in wood, metal, stone, hide, papier-mâché, and terracotta, displayed the artistic merit of the craftsmen.

Many of these artifacts today form a part of the Museum collections located in different parts of the country.

However, there are certain locales in the dreamy sandscapes of Rajasthan and enchanting Uttar Pradesh, where the age-old techniques still reverberate and decorative items and utensils in stone and glass are produced for the domestic and international market.
Wooden Chair Coaster - US $ 38
Marble Elephant Set - US $ 56
Copper Surahi with Glass - US $ 82 Painted Chess Set - US $ 185   Wooden Jharokha - US $ 85
Paintings

The medieval period saw the flourishing of the colorful illuminations called miniatures under the Regal Mughals and the ardent Rajputs. The enthralling spell of miniatures widened their horizon in Deccan too and several classic compositions were produced. Many of the miniatures were based on Ragas or musical codes of Indian classical music or on the classic works of Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagvata Purana. The feminine charms were specifically accentuated in the Kangra miniatures. These paintings reflected the deep-seated sensibilities of those times and sublime skills and the patience of the artists.

To sum up, Indian art and artists had an all-pervading influence, which the time has not been able to defy. They are the flag bearers of the colorful traditions of India and contribute to its cultural legacy.
Sohni Mahiwal hand painted
on Glass - US $ 292		 Sitting Ganesha hand painted
on Glass - US $ 196
Handmade Miniature Painting - US $ 90
All the products displayed in this newsletter can be viewd in larger size by clicking on them. These products are also available for sale at www.craftsinindia.com along with many other such pieces of art.