Web Search www.YaHind.Com Indian Handicrafts: Much Sought After Garima Sharma Exquisite designs, attractive colours, unmatched workmanship and subtle elegance are the distinguishing features which have put Indian handicrafts on world map. Steadily climbing the popularity chart, their exports shot up to a staggering Rs. 83,430 million in 2002 - 2003. This sector has more potential for earning substantial foreign exchange. As a rural and cottage industry, it provides employment to lakhs of people from the weaker sections of society. Low capital investments, higher value addition and highly labour intensive are highlights that make the sector significant for the country's economy. Central and State governments have been paying extraordinary attention to ensure high growth rate and development of the handicrafts industry. Handicrafts bear the stamp of each particular region and culture. With India's great diversity and rich culture, we have a unique treasure of handicrafts to boast of. These works of art are executed through a variety of mediums such as metal and wood, stone, papier-mache, pottery, silk, cotton, brocade, natural fibre from plants etc. The tribal and rural artisans have inherited various techniques and processes from their forefathers in the creation of their art. Metal has been part of Indian life and culture since times immemorial. The iron beams of the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa and the iron pillar at Qutab Minar in Delhi are evidence of the early skills achieved by the Indians in the field of metalware. Copper and bronze are the two most popular non-ferrous metals shaped into tools, bronze-casting in India being as old as five million years. The scope of metal art is immense, what with the variety of decorative techniques practiced such as inlay, metal casting, carving, appliques etc. Work done in Moradabad, Jaipur and Delhi is representative of this. Moradabad, in U. P., is especially noted for its coloured enamelling and intricate engravings in niello. Metal wire inlay work, found mostly in U.P. and Kerala, has panels and pictures depicting attractive scenes. Metal engraving practiced in Kashmir is usually done on walking sticks, nutcrackers, cutlery, decorative pieces etc. Rajasthan artisans do outstanding work in silver-spice boxes, caskets, birds, animals and jewellery boxes with intricate designs. These are marked both for their utility and ornamental value. Papier-mache items are made of thick layers of paper pulp mixed with starch and given different shapes and designs on wooden moulds. Imagination runs wild as craftsmen breathe life into the moulds, bringing out variety of expressions. Kashmir turns out a variety of utility items of papier-mache, as also decorative pieces. Woodcraft too has played its part in making the Indian handicraft treasure richer. Since time immemorial, wood has been used to make utensils. In Himachal Pradesh, water pitchers are made of wood. Walnut wood, found in Kashmir, is used for making trays, book stands, wall decorations, fruit bowls etc. Gujarat has a rich tradition of woodcarving; famous are the traditional wooden swings, chairs and tables. Karnataka and Maharashtra are famous for wood lacquering. Painted traditional cradles, boxes and 'ganjifa' sets of playing cards have painted designs. Hand fans made of strips and slices of sandalwood are great utility items, spreading their refreshing aroma in the room. The author is a freelance writer.  Other Articles...  •  CRY: Putting the Right Foot Forward  •  Islam preaches religious tolerance  •  Qur'an emphasises on gender equality  •  Important aspects of prayer  •  Plant pigments are more than just COLORS!  •  In Search of Eggcellence: Farha Sayeed Brings Gift of Art to the Kingdom  •  The Power Of Subconscious Mind  •  Gandhi wanted Jinnah to be India's Prime Minister  •  Islam gains huge new following after 9/11  •  Arms For The Killer  •  Laughter  •  The Great Indian Dream  •  Beyond the edge  •  The Exotic Valley of Flowers!  •  The Upswing Continues  •  Textile Trade: India Gearing up to Meet Challenge  •  The Great Indian Diaspora  •  The Way to Serve a Billion  •  Simputer: Common Man's Computer  •  Indian Handicrafts: Much Sought After  •  Indian Economy Poised to Register Good Growth in 2003-04  •  Indian Agriculture & the WTO Regime  •  India makes grade in Stem Cell Research  •  School Back Packs and Back Pain  •  Salt Of The Earth  •  Morals In Management  •  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  •  Room Bits and Spice  •  Do you know what is the full word of family?  •  Islam, Hinduism And Truth  •  Role of Muslims in India’s Freedom Movement  •  If Not Today, When?

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