West Bengal Handloom Traditions

The contemporary and traditional art and craft is seen at its best in West Bengal. With an expertise in metal work, leather craft, cane art, jute products, brass work, pottery, masks and sandalwood carvings, the craftsmen of West Bengal have created a special place for themselves in the heart of craft lovers. One of the most pieces of art from Bengal is the Terracotta Bankura Horse. This is made from clay and used for ritual purposes in the Bengal state. Its popularity has gone worldwide and is also used as a showpiece in the living rooms. After all, Bengal’s terracotta is quite known for making the idols of gods and goddesses also, especially on the occasion of Durga Puja.

The carvings in Bengal and Dhokra art form are one of the most demandable art forms in the world. In this, the artifacts are made from a single piece of wire around the clay and casted in metal. Apart from this, you can also catch hold of reed mats and baskets that find an important place in their daily practices. The beauty of Bengal’s artistry lies in the themes of their religious practices and use of vibrant colors. It is not just all; rather, the contemporary art designs are reflective of adopting latest trends in the market.

Maharashtra Handloom Traditions

Diversity in the state of Maharashtra is not only calculated on the basis of different people living there but also the diverse number of handicrafts produced in the state. From traditional art forms of Ajanta Caves to modern style leather wear, everything is designed with giving importance to minute details. Sawantwadi painting craft is well recognised and appreciated by all. The Goan artisans moved there in the 17th century and have been designing lacquer ever since. These designs are now being used to decorate homes and offices.

The next very famous art form in Maharashtra is the use of leather in making KOHLAPURI SANDALS. Thread embroideries are used to make these local chappals and from the richest to the poorest, every citizen of the state has definitely got a pair of them. Maharshtra provides a large variety of handicrafts which can be picked up by any tourist visiting from around the world and become souvenirs. One can sense a flow of traditionality in every crafts work carried out in Maharashtra besides a touch of modernity. 

Jammu And Kashmir Handloom Products.

Jammu And Kashmir, what can i say about it's beauty and elegance which has not been said before. Poets have described it's grace in words unimaginable. As heavenly and breathtaking as that place is, it's handicrafts are the most fashionable and anyone can be absolutely awestruck at just one look of them. Whether it is woo, metal, paper mache or silverware each and every piece of art speaks about the magnificence of Jammu and Kashmirs tradition of legendary handicrafts. Fully ethic, eye catching and beautifully carved are a few attributes of these beauties. A whole lot of attention to detail is given on the finess and design of the handicrafts by the craftsmen. Along with the existing traditions, of handicrafts designs latest trends and changes are also incorporated to create a perfect fusion. Carpet weaving is the most famous work done by complete understanding of designs and styles. The next famous handicraft product is the wooden work, which is made from the Walnut Wood.

Even copperware and silverwork is also famous in kashmir for it's sheer beauty, creaivity and magnificence. It is said that the handicraft in Jammu and Kashmir is so perfect that it does complete justice to the natural beauty it is surrounded by. The craftsmen of this state are nothing but sheer magicians to carve such breathtaking products. 

Punjab Handloom Traditions

Punjab, a state full of people who's hearts are as big as their sarson fields, as generous as the ghee on their rotis. Now even though Punjab is said to be an agricultural state. it's handloom sector is quite impressive too. The very famous Fulkari embroidery, woven by the ladies of punjab is remarkable.In this art form, when the embroidery is done closely and the entire piece of cloth is covered, it is known as "BAGH". This beautiful yet technical work is often displayed on suits, shawls and dupattas. Not only is this happy state an expert in making Fulkaris, but also they produse DURRIES. These are known to be pile less cotton spreads used for beds or floors.

With various kinds of patters such as animals, leaves, flowers and birds weaved in different colours, this art forn is often taught to young girls in punjab. It is the handloom traditions in the state of Punjab that has captured the hearts of so many people worldwide. My suggestion if you ever visit the state of Punjab, along with trying out their "sarson da saag and makka di roti", you must visit their local markets in search of fulkari suits or dupattas, you'll never regret buying them. 

Gujarat Handloom Tradition

Whether it is a matter of dance, food or handloom, Gujarat state has always been fully enriched with folk art forms. The state has emerged very powerful over the period of time attracting thousands of tourists every year. As rich and well known is the culture and monuments of Gujarat, the handloom sector of the state is equally appriciated. Bandhej is also a produced with the traditional tie and dye process. Rich embroidery done with gold and silver threads known as the very famous Jari cloth is also another spectacular products of the handloom sector of the state. Gujarat has an opulent culture of elegant handlooms. The credit for these simple products turning into such a royalty goes to the artistic knacks of Gujarat, so full of talent, enthusiasm, perseverance and sincerity, and all these attributes are showcased in the final obtained output of the product. This state is also known to Mashru style of weaving silk with cotton.

If you're looking for bold patterns and vibrant colors, my suggestion would be to opt for this very famous Mashru Silk, which is a fabric woven with permulation of cotton and silk, quiet famous among the masses. BLOCK PRINTING is among the very talents which the artists of Gujarat posses (Dhamadka and Ajrakh). The handloom lovers can select from the brocade saares finely woven with silver and golden threads, called as Ganga and Jamuna. This shows that Gujarat has a variety of handloom which can quench the thirst of any handloom lover. 

Karnataka Handloom Tradition

Karnataka is he world famous producer of Mulberry slik sarees and Ikat weaving designs. It's the beautiful art of making such breathtaking designs in mulberry silk which made this state worldwide famous. Tourists from all over the world visit karnataka to get blown away from the saare designs. It is the process of boiling silk worms and making silk out of them that enables the tourists to learn something new about the traditional style of making these Silk saares. As we all know that silk is know for it's glimmer and royal look the quality of these products can be witnessed all over the state. With such a variety of silk available in India. the handloom sector is most famous in the fashhion world.

The beauty of plain silk is enhanced by Bold and beautiful Ikat designs Ikat is known to be a weaving style that makes use of resist dying process that involves tying the material, applying wax on it, to resist extra dye and dipping in the colour of fine impressions. The most attractive thing about these saares is that they have thick borders which make them look as royal as possible. If you ever visit Karnataka, do not forget to purchase one of these traditional handllom silk sarees. 

Rajasthan Handloom Tradition.

Rajasthan, a state of Kings and Queens. As royal and rich the state is the more stylish is it's handloom sector. CHUNARI and BANDHEJ are the two most famous types of handloom cloths to be most liked in rajasthan, they are prepared by the very old traitions of tie and dye prints. This technique is not as tricky as it sounds. This art is carried out by tying a small point of cloth and dying the entire cloth in different vibrant rajasthani colors. The white sots which appear on the opening of the tied up cloth is termed as Bandhej. For printing on the cloth, wooden blocks with nails are required. The nailed parts are later tied with threads to prevent the effect of dye. An auro of style and fashion has been created by Rajasthani artists in these two traditional ways of printing of BANDHEJ.

Next comes the HAND BLOCK PRINTING which particulary is very famous in the parts of Sanganer, Jaipur and Bagru. Barmer is well known in the handloom industry for red and indigo coloured geomatrical Ajrakh prints and Chittor for Jajam prints. Along with these prints another speaciality of Rjasthan is Quilt making. Known for it's softness these uits are made in the tie and dye technique only. With so much to offer in the handloom department, Rajastha is the favourite of the tourists from along the world to buy these products according to studies. 

History Of Handloom Products in India.

Hand-Loom, to understand the history of this word we need to first understand the meaning of it, a loom is said to be an apparatus for making fabric by weaving yarn or thread, now if we combine that with hand we get a machine operated by hands to weave clothes. The carpet of handloom history rolls back in the ancient times . It started in Egypt in those days and were also found during the time of Mohenjo Daro in Indus Valley Civilisation. There is also a mention of handloom products in the vedic period along with the Budhist era which speaks of woolen carpets in those times. All the natural fabrics like jute, silk, etc were hand-wooven before imperialism and colonialisation. Later with little inventions, machines came into being which helped the production of handloom products grow at a faster pace. New and fresh designs were invented by weavers and embroiders. The products became more fine and authentic as compared to before.

During the British Dominance, export of these products also started which later proved to be very helpful for our nation as other countries were able to recognise our talent and appreciate it. This helped India in monetary terms as well as our nation earned the precious wealth of innovation from other countries. Now withso many varieties of different products from different states, India emerged as the