ARTS AND HANDICRAFTS
Arts and Handicrafts
Rajasthan perhaps more than any other State in India, is a shopper's paradise centuries- old skills in the traditional crafts continue to produce some of the most exciting wares in the world. Tie-and-dye fabrics in vibrant colours. Fine block-printed textiles and silks. Wood and ivory carving. Lacquer and filigree work. Delicately cut precious stones, and exquisite enamelled jewellery.
Rajasthan's terracotta tradition that was linked with the civilization of the Indus continues today in almost every Village. Beyond the utility items like pots and pitchers, notable are the votive images and plaques of deities particularly from Molela (40 km north of Udaipur). The thriving blue pottery of Jaipur dates back to the 16th century when the influences of China and Persia were brought home by Raja Man Singh I of Amber through his contacts with the Mughal rulers of Delhi.
Among the textiles, it is the women's tie-and-dye odhn/sand the block printed Dresses that are the most distinct. These techniques are now put to use in modern garments, bed-spreads and table-cloths' The fine weave of the Kofa-dor/a satees are sought all over India for summer wear. Gold and silver khari printing, ajrakh, appliqued and embroidered textiles, also abound in Rajasthan. Of late, Rajasthan's carpet and durrie industry has been revitalised to suit the tastes of modern buyers, just as its pattu and khes (shawls for men) are finding new uses as upholstery and bed-spreads. The craftsmanship of jewellers and other skills of Rajasthan are renowned— particularly Jaipur's meenakari, a process of coloured glass. Silver is more commonly worn and worked upon and certainly more affordable for gift shoppers. Leather-ware, particularly jooties with embroidered uppers are famous and popular. Today even designer hand-bags with graphic embroideries make a good buy. Wood, metal and stone are used by today's craft persons to create decorative and utility items that shoppers often find irresistible.
Miniature paintings of the finest quality continue to be executed in Rajasthan— both on paper and on large pieces of cloth. Different regions maintain their own style, known as different schools of painting.
Some well-known schools of painting are Marwar, Mewar, Hadoti, Kishangarh, Dhundhar and Alwar.
