Top 20 Handicrafts from Rajasthan
- hemant June 15, 2021
Categories: Know Your Handicrafts
Rajasthan means “the land of kings”. It is a beautiful state and leaves tourists in awe with its unique art and culture and of course deserts. Every year millions of tourists visit Rajsthan but the only thing that confuses them that what souvenir they take back with them to lock the memory of this beautiful state. Worry not! We got you. Here is the list of top handicrafts that are the glory of Rajasthan.
- Blue Pottery
Image source- (thehindu.com)
The fascinating blue pottery of Jaipur, Rajasthan originally has Turko-Persian origin but is widely recognized as a traditional craft of Rajasthan. The most unique feature of this type of pottery is that it is a no clay pottery. Instead of clay, ground quartz stone is used in the formation of these items. This results in more durability in these pottery items and they become hard to break, unlike earthenware items. The colors are achieved from cobalt oxide(blue) and copper oxide(green). Mostly the drawings of animals, birds, or flowers are found on it but the details are really eye-catching. It is used to make objects like flower vases, lampshades, crockery, jewelry boxes, and other souvenirs.
- Puppets
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Puppets or locally known as kathputli are not just dolls but also used in religious festivities and rituals. Puppet dance is actually a thing Rajasthan which has become quite famous worldwide. These puppets are made up entirely from wood, cotton cloth, and metal wire. Its unique property is that these puppets are controlled by a single string that passes from its head.
- Meenakari Art and Jewelry
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Meenakari is the process of painting and coloring the surfaces of metal and ceramic tiles through enameling. It is used in decorating serving dishes, containers, tiles, and jewelry. Rajasthan is famous for using meenakari, jadau, kundan(gemstones) in their jewelry. Silver, gold, and the colors including blue, green, and yellow are the base of meenakari art. These unique designs are very eyecatching and are souvenirs to keep.
- Gemstones
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Rajasthan is a center of hand-cut gems like agate, topaz, ruby, amethyst, emerald, etc. In fact, Jaipur is famous for having an entire section for cutting these gems from simple handy machinery and having the world’s largest gem cutting center. This attracts many tourists from around the world. These gems are used as souvenirs as well as jewelry.
- Wooden Furniture and Handicraft
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The handicraft range of wood available in Rajasthan is massive. These wooden handicrafts have very minute detailing which leaves the visitors in awe. One more thing that is an attraction to tourists is wooden furniture. The unique feature of this furniture is its latticework and intricate carvings. This furniture will give you full royal feels.
- Rajasthani Jootis
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These Jootis or mojaries of Rajasthan are embellished with exquisite embroidery, beads, and jardoji which really is a treat to the eye. These colourful jootis are made from camel leather and are handcrafted by artisans. They come in different shapes such as chota panja, salem shahi, and gol panja. These mojaries are an integral part of traditional attire in Rajasthan.
- Rugs and Carpets
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Rugs and carpets are informally known as durries in Rajasthan first came into existence with Afghanis in the 17th century. Later on, Rajasthan became the hub of manufacturing the finest of them in the world. These handcrafted carpets come in diverse patterns like dushala, shikar, charkha, and marhab. The durries which are mainly made up of wool comes in dissimilar styles including knots and arithmetic patterns.
- Bandhej and Lahariya
Image source- (jaipurstuff.com)
Rajasthan is the hub of tie and die printing also known by another name Bandhani. They are famous for their wavy textures and fabulous prints.
Jaipur mainly has many handmade textiles that use block printing on different fabrics like cotton, wool, and silk. The leheriya and bandhej are the most famous and we can see them on shawls, sarees, turbans, and home decor.
- Brass handicrafts
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The culture of rendering a life-like structure to a metal piece is age-old. The artisans of Rajasthan are adept at crafting beautiful formations and shapes on brassware. These artisans which deal in brassware are called kansaris in Rajasthan. These handicrafts can be seen in a wide range of home decor, utensils, wall hangings, jewelry boxes, swords, and shields.
10. Lac Bangles
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Lac or lacquer is a resinous material, secreted by insects, which is then collected and molded-in hot kilns to make these bangles. Lac bangles which are originated in Rajasthan are amongst the most brittle types of bangles. These handmade bangles are considered auspicious for married women. These bangles are embellished with stone work, beads and mirror work and made in bold colors to make it more dazzling.
- Miniature Paintings
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Rajasthan, mainly Jaipur catches attention of evey tourist by its unique collection of miniature paintings. Radha Krishna, Mughal king and queens, animals etc. are carved by skilled artisans of Rajasthan beautifully. Use of natural paints obtained from plants, animals and semi crushed powder of precious stones in these paintings ensures long lasting glow and sparkling shine.
- Masuria Sarees
Image source-strandofsilk.com
Kota, the hub of IIT has a lot more in pocket to offer. Its collection of Masuria sarees with their beautiful zari border is unique in its own way.
These sarees are prominently called Masuria in kota and kota doria outside of state and are woven by combination of cotton and silk threads.
- Jawaja Leather Art
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Jawaja leather art is a unique method of creating leather crafts in which the whole process of making a product is achieved by hand and traditional bare tools,it includes no automation techniques. Also even the threads to bind together the leather for product is made of leather strips. This ensures greater durability in product and also it gives an antique touch.Regar community has been traditionally performing this art since centuries. Mojaris(footwear), bags, wallets,kupi(water container made of leather hide), jackets, pouches made from this technique are quite famous in not only Rajasthan but on international level and they are a major export item
- Earthen Bottles
Image source-ohmyrajasthan.com
Rajasthan is a land of deserts. In summers , the temperature here crosses even 50 degree Celsius. To survive this unbearable and scorching heat, the residents here always explore ways to keep hydrated. Earthen bottles are one of them. This mini delight not only gives the feel of mini refrigerator in your hand but they are eco friendly as well. This go to bottles are available in may attractive design and vibrant colors and they are proven to have health benefits as well.
- Koftgari
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Koftgari is an exquisite art of weapon ornamentation. It is an ornamental work produced by heating steel and then inlaying it with gold in form of fine metallic wires artistically. The traditional weapon makers of Rajasthan which are specializes in this splendid art are called Sikligars. This form of art requires great precision , quick hands(as the work should be completed before steel cools down) and it is a very laborious work that is fully executed by hands. This technique is used for ornamentation of swords, draggers, shields, armory etc.
- Danka Embroidery
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Danka Embroidery is a type of metal embroidery of Udaipur, Rajasthan which is nearly 400 years old. This method which is traditionally known as korpatti ka kaam is practiced by Udaipu’s Bohra community.Also right now , only two danka certified danka embroidery specialists exist. It is usually worked on satin, chiffon or silk fabric. For this technique pure gold or silver plated with gold dankas are used and they are artistically sewn on precious fabrics.
- Thewa Art
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Thewa which literally means setting is,a traditional art of fusing multicoloured glass with gold .It was was originated in Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan. This art is performed by skilled craftsmean with utmost attention and dedication as the process involved in it is very laborious and time consuming(sometimes takes over a month). Thewa art jewelry is really a delight and are major attraction among people of country.
- Marble Handicrafts
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Rajasthan is also known as the land of marble is widely known for its marble handicrafts. The place Makrana in Nagaur district of Rajasthan is main centre for marble. Almost all the marble handicrafts are made from this marble. These marble handicrafts are decorated with minakari or enamelling and painted with glossy colors make them look really elegant. Crockery items, traditional deities, tableware, mini temples for home, lamps are some of the prominent marble handicrafts
- Mandana
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Mandana painting is the oldest surviving artform of tribal people of Rajasthan. Traditionally this artform was used for decorating the homes and Aangans(communal floor) on religious occasions and festivals. Cotton swab (made with date twigs) or brushes (made of squirrel hair), white Khadiya (made of limestone), and red Geru (red ochre) were used for making these mandanas. Nowadays you can get these mandanas in painting form and you can place it in your houses for a unique touch.
- Shellac Crafts
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Shellac is a resin which is secreted on trees by female lac bugs. Among the women of Rajasthan, it is considered really auspicious to wear shellac bangles.Churies, bracelets, toys,idols , hindolas are some of the main shellac handicrafts.
So, these are the major eyecatching handicrafts of Rajasthan. Do let us know if you found it useful or you know any other handicraft except them.