Handicrafts

A mad frenzy, a collage of vibrant colors, interesting forms and excellent craftsmanship That can be traced to generations, is what has made the Indian handicrafts earn so much of praise and revenue in their own country and also abroad. A rich tradition of craftsmanship that has evolved and developed over all the centuries, inculcating and imbibing into them the influences of the culturally varied invaders, the handicrafts in India have carved quite a niche for themselves in the international market, while having into them ingredients of almost every culture.

East

The most prominent handicrafts items to be found in the eastern and north eastern parts of the country are the sambalpuri and cuttacki cotton and silk sarees and dress materials from Orissa; the tussar, baluchari silk sarees and cotton weaved sarees of West Bengal; burnt earthenware of Vishnupur and Krishnanagar of West Bengal; jute artifacts, the famous silk of Assam; bamboo artifacts and woven woolens from Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram; are some of the things that are sure to lure you spending fortunes in Eastern India.

North

The north has been the seat of power ever since the Mughal rule and shows distinct Mughal and Middle Eastern influences in the handicrafts. The best of the North Indian handicrafts are to be found in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. Carved apricot wood furniture, shawls and pashmina, silver and bronzeware, are the most famous. An embroidery work called chikan is a specialty of Lucknow.

West

The western Indian handicrafts include miniature paintings from Rajasthan, bandhej or bandhni (tie and dye) fabric, lacquered showpieces, leather, bronze and brassware, silver jewelry, semi precious stones, jootis (local leather shoes with mirror works), papier mache, glass bangles, cloth paintings, etc. throng the shop windows.

South

South India again is all for silk and woven fabric. The Bangalore silks, coir work from Kerala, metal statuettes, painted plates, wall hangings, stone carvings, sheet metal artifacts, palm fibre objects, ayurvedic products, are the major handicraft items to be found in the south Indian states.