Home décor is an essential need for modern homes today, it is essential because how we decorate our homes can influence all aspects of our lives. Our homes reveal who we are and what is important to us to the rest of the world. Our living environment can have an impact on our physical and…
Category: craft
Punja Dhurrie Weaving
Punja dhurries are one-of-a-kind rugs that are known for their beautiful design, durability and for their high quality, sturdiness, and long-lasting nature. These dhurries are handwoven and the design is perfected with the use of the Punja, a metallic claw-like tool used to beat and set the threads in the warp. Mostly made from cotton…
Spices Box: Tastes in India
One of the most common needs that have belonged to every kitchen for numerous generations to give it a powerful aesthetic statement is a spice box. No one can underestimate the importance of spices in the kitchen; therefore, these Masala boxes are a simple way to store spices such as mustard seeds, chili powder, turmeric…
Handwoven Shawls, Stoles & Dupattas
When it comes to Indian fabric and handmade crafts, every word would fall short to define the excellence of art and the artist as well. Tangaliya & Toda Fabric is a unique way of weaving with intricate textile design patterns that highlight the artists’ single-mindedness. They were enthralled by the prospect of completing their numerous…
LEATHER CRAFT
Leather craft goes way back to the Indus valley civilization where there are several references from ancient text describing the use of animal skin. The Rig-Veda mentions leather items around 3000 BC. These included bottles, and water-carrying bags called “mashaks”. In addition to leather bands, straps, laces, and similar cord-like implements, other literary references also…
Indian Fighter Kites
India has a long history with kites. Most people believe that Chinese travelers Fa Hien and Hiuen Tsang brought kites to India, but kites evolved on their own in India, and today Indian kites are almost exclusively fighter kites. Tissue paper and bamboo are used to make them, and almost all Indian kites have the…
PAPER MACHE
Zain-Ul-Abidin, the eighth Sultan of Kashmir, introduced the spectacular handicraft to India from Samarqand, the city of papermaking in Central Asia. The world awes at the splendour of paper crafts that have been in existence since the 15th century. In the old days, Paper Mache was called Kari munaqqash, which translates to painted work. It…
Madhubani Art & its Significance
Madhubani paintings are one of India’s oldest and most distinctive traditional art forms. Madhubani paintings are a 2500-year-old folk art that is believed to have originated during the Ramayana, when king Janaka invited the people to photograph his daughter Sita’s wedding to prince Rama. During festivals, ceremonies, or special events, women would hand painted these…
Mata Ni Pachedi
Mata, Shakti, and Devi are mythological names that conjure up vivid ideas. Goddess’s many forms are imagined by the Chitara families of Gujarat’s roaming Waghris tribe as hand-painted or block-printed images on textiles, surrounded by stories from mythology, epics, and folklore. The term ‘Mata-ni-Pachedi’ literally means ‘that which enshrines the Goddess.’ This craft has been…
BAGRU BLOCK PRINT – TRADITIONAL ECO-FRIENDLY PRINTING
Hand block printing is one of the finest and the most recognized crafts throughout the world. India has made its name in the field of black printed fabrics. Each region of India follows a distinctive style and methodology which encompasses use of locally available natural resources and motifs. One of the traditional block printings is…