Top 10 Major Handicraft Industries of India
There is no doubt in calling India ‘a land of diversity.’ The more variety in its art and culture, the more appealing and awe-inspiring is its Handicraft. India’s essence in handicrafts is gaining importance and recognition worldwide through online platforms, flexible export-import policies, and the major one – passion for unique handicrafts.
There are several B2B handicrafts sellers available that are passionately working to make Indian Handicrafts successful. It is a matter of pride for us that Indian artisans are praised worldwide. And different sellers are promoting various art forms, handmade items, and other handicrafts. So dig in further to explore which handicraft industries are thriving and gaining global recognition.
Here’s The List Of The Most Loved Indian Handicraft Industries:
Madhubani Paintings From The Roots Of Bihar
Madhubani paintings flourished in the Mithila region of Bihar; thus, it is also referred to as Mithila Art. You would be amazed to know that Madhubani is an intuitive art form that is created without the use of sketches. This quality of Madhubani paintings makes them exclusively incredible.
The unique part about these types of paintings is that they are made with mineral pigments. For instance, the color black is obtained from cow dung, yellow from turmeric, blue from indigo, red from Kusum flowers, and more such unbelievable raw items.
Nature and mythological figures are what Madhubani paintings are all about. The art includes the portrait of Lord Krishna, Ram, Shiva, flora and fauna, and various geometrical designs.
Earlier, the Madhubani paintings were made on freshly plastered or mud walls. But with growing commercial importance, artisans are now crafting it on canvas boards, papers, and clothes. Only women crafted these paintings earlier, but today even men are also involved in creating these paintings after looking at the increase in demand.
Seashell Craft From The Heart of Goa
Seashell craft traced its existence from the reign of the Portuguese in Goa. When the team of pioneers and designers were trying something new and exclusive, they came up with a seashell craft.
Shell craft is used to make colorful and fascinating decorative items. But with day-to-day innovation and practice, seashell craft blossomed. And now has captured the utilitarian market as well. Objects like boxes, mirror frames, jewelry, figurines made of shells are in great demand.
Apart from decorative and valuable items, these shells also carry a religious and social significance. Artisans handpick these shells and then craft them into mesmerizing art. Beautiful embellishments made out of these shells were fascinating and loved by women of all classes and statuses.
These shells are available in various colors. But it is still a mystery how sea creatures pigmented these shells.
Khavda Pottery From The Deepest Heart of Gujarat
Khavda pottery is a single unchanged art through centuries. The art form belongs to the north Kutch region of Gujarat. A special mud is used that comes from a nearby village lake called ‘Rann ki mitti.’
The method Khavda potters follow is:
- First, soften the mud using water and then give the desired shape.
- Clean the pot and sun-dry it
- Bake it in a furnace.
The exciting step involves coating the pot in ‘geru’ (a type of color soil). The final stage requires the painting of pots by women with natural colors.
The skill of painting the Khavda pots needs a lot of talent and hard work. The whole process is time-consuming, which makes it soul-soothing. The work of making pottery is divided between men and women. Men do till terracotta finishes while women do fascinating painting on it—efforts of both complete this beautiful art.
The sad part is these pots come with the drawback of delicate and fragile nature. Thus this art form is diminishing gradually and is replaced by steel and Chinese substitutes.
Coir Products From Kerala - The God's Own Country
Coir is known as a Golden fiber—a fiber with exceptional functionalities. Obtaining coir is a manual and lengthy process. First, the husk is removed from nuts that were soaked for ten months. They are then beaten with a massive hammer resulting in a golden fiber.
Coir is spun into yarn and then dyed into multiple shades.
Coir is tough and durable; also, they regain shape after continuous use. They are used to make mats, rugs, carpets due to their stability and easy-to-clean property.
Kerala coir products are famous and exported worldwide to countries like the USA, UK, Netherlands. You would be fascinated to know that by-products of coir products are used as soil conditioners.
It is a matter of pride for every Indian and handicraft lover that Kerala is known as the most exemplary exporter of Coir products.
Bamboo Weaving And Cane Craft From Magically Beautiful Mizoram
Mizoram is a land of skilled and excellent artisans. Bamboo and cane craft is a livelihood for many citizens of Mizoram. Here women are experts in weaving while men are best at bamboo and cane craft.
Best selling products made from bamboo and cane craft are sofas, tables, chairs, baskets, bamboo screens, and cages.
A fun fact about Mizoram people is that their men and women are entrenched with smoking. They use locally made pipes. Women used a tube named ‘Hookah’ that was easy to hold in hand.
At the same time, men use western-style pipes made with bamboo and weed. So you can figure out the excessive use of bamboo and cane craft, which is now admired in every part of the world.
Blue pottery From The Land of Kings Rajasthan
Jaipur, a city in Rajasthan, is very famous for its blue pottery handicraft. The word ‘blue’ is due to the fascinating blue dye used to color the pottery.
The idea of blue pottery was imported from Mughals, who combined glazing technology with Persian art. Local artisans of Jaipur were sent to Delhi to learn this art. Thus, they innovated and improved the technology and took it to another level.
No clay is used in it. The dough is prepared by mixing quartz stone powder, powdered glass, Multani Mitti, borax, gum, and water. Blue pottery handicraft is used to design vases, jugs, cups, plates, glasses, ashtrays with the animals and birds motifs.
Banarasi Saree From Uttar Pradesh Where Every Minute Is A Discovery, Every Mile A Memory!”
Banarasi Saree is a combination artform of Mughals and Indians. They are an example of the finest traditional Indian sarees.
The sarees are embellished with rich embroidery using gold and silver threads. Designing a Banarasi Saree is a teamwork process. It requires three artisans—one for directing, another for weaving, and the third one for a revolving ring. It takes enormous time to complete a complex Banarasi pattern Saree.
Banarasi Sarees are a big hit among Bollywood celebrities, foreigners and are perfect for weddings, special occasions, and functions.
Handloom From Tripura, Where Culture Meets Nature
Tripura has one of the oldest handlooms. The tribal people of Tripura design their clothes with elegant patterns and colors. They consider handloom as a religious activity and are devoted to weaving.
Risa and Riha are the traditional clothing produced in Tripura Handlooms. There are many commercial and non-commercial looms operating in the state.
You would be shocked with the famous saying in Tripura – no girl is considered ready to become a bride if she doesn’t know how to weave.
Phulkari Art From The Pride of India - Punjab
Phulkari, as the name suggests, is derived from the Hindi word Phul that means Flower. Thus, Phulkari’s work is an embroidery technique with a floral theme. This form of artwork has been present since the 15th century. Therefore, it is a great surprise that the phulkari work is still loved and happily worn by many.
There is some sort of magic in phulkari work that makes a light fabric into an exquisite one. The art of phulkari is full of creativity with no boundaries.
Darning stitch is the commonly used technique for phulkari work that makes the design and pattern stand out.
Pattachitra From The Soul of Incredible India - Odisha
Pattachitra is a traditional and ancient art form of Odisha. Pattachitra is derived from the Sanskrit word pitta that means canvas, and Citra, meaning picture. It is generally a cloth-based scroll painting used for ritual purposes.
Unique canvases are made out of cotton sarees and layered with tamarind paste and clay powder.
The artform includes the paintings of deities Lord Jagannath. The exciting thing about these paintings is that – Pattachitra paintings are worshiped when temple doors are shut for a ritual bath of deities.
Conclusion
“Handicraft is not only handmade, but feeling made.”
Every nook and corner of India is filled with brilliant creativity and mesmerizing handicraft. Craftezy initiates you to come close to this treasure of India, where its very essence is irresistible. Connect with the sellers belonging to the Indian handicrafts industries with a single click.
