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Handicrafts of Gujarat |
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Gujarat has a living tradition of handicrafts that thrives in its cities, towns, and villages, in the pastoral settlements of nomadic and semi-nomadic people whose women folk work on embroidery for a second income, and in the tribal homes in the hills. The best known of Gujarat's handicrafts are those related to its rich and colourful textiles, like handloom weaving, tie-and dye, printing and embroidery work. Saurashtra and Kutch are main centers. The embroidery of each place and community is unique and identifiable. |
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Patolas of Patan |
The queen of textiles is the Patola woven by only a few families of Patan. The Patola saree is acclaimed as the queen if silk and Patan is the original place where it manufactures began. According to one tradition, seven hundred Salvi weavers are said to come to Patan when it was the capital of Solanki rulers, their patrons , and today only a few continue their tradition. The art of weaving double ikat survives in the small town used to weave the Patola is the rare double ikkat style which involves dyeing both the warp and the weft threads in the pattern of the final fabrics before setting them on the loom. This involves intricate work for the weaver to match the threads perfectly when waving on the loom. As this is a rare art practiced only in few places of the world, the Patola has considerable historic and commercial value. Patan is also one of the centers for Mushroo, fabric woven as a combination of silk and cotton with the latter forming the backing. One can pick up saris in traditional designs such as NariKunj, Rattan chowk, Parnetar and Chatri . Ask for Salvis they are the most famous weaver family of Patan . The Saris are costly, ranging anything from Rs.. 3000/- to 20,000/- but worth your ever paisa. |
Bandhini of Jamnagar |
Bandhini or tie-and –dying is a well known traditional handicraft of Gujarat. It is supposed to have entered the state from Sindh. Kutch is prominent place for Bandhini work. But the best product comes from Jamnagar in Saurashtra. The printed portion of the fabric is pinched and pushed into small points and then knotted with two or three of thread. The knotted parts remain uncoloured and the fabric is dyed in the lightest shade first, retied and dyed again in the darker colour. The process is repeated several times and you get the final colour scheme. |
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Embroidery of Kutch |
Gujarat is almost synonymous with the beautiful embroidery of the artisans of Kutch. Most of these artisans belong to Hindu or Muslim pastoral groups, who work on embroidery for their personal consumption or to supplement their income, while others are communities of craftspeople by profession. |
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Embroidery is the historic living craft of Kutch, the vibrant colours and designs of the artisans of the Kutch district add a touch of colour to the arid landscape around their villages. Each community has a distinct style of embroidery, using different stitches, colours and motifs, and sometimes setting them with beads or mirrors, The Ahirs, the Rabaris, the Jats, the Mutwas , the Lohanas and the people of the Banni region have their own embroidery techniques, and within each community thee are sub-groups who have evolved their own combinations and patterns. For centuries pastoral women have embroidery their own trousseau and embellished their dowry package with exquisite handiwork, and today the rich embroideries of Kutch are an important source of income for many of the craft villages that run the length and breath of the district. |
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Wood Craft |
Gujarat has a tradition of woodcarving visible in beautifully sculpted balconies with their perfectly proportioned pavilions of the havelis, carved doors, and place gates. But the wood craft most associated with Gujarat is lacquered wooden furniture produced at Sankheda near Vadodara, and also in Bhavnagar, Kutch and Surat Districts. Lacquer work is done on wood that is first smoothed, rounded and treated . The artisans paint motifs like peacocks using brushes dipped in dyes , lac, resin, mineral colours and other materials. |
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Bead Work |
Beadwork is a beautiful craft of Gujarat that is believed to have become popular after trade with the west form the ports in the state brought in top quality beads from overseas in the 19th century. It was patronized by ruling families of the state and many of the palaces and forts of Gujarat have fine examples of beadworks, some of them have beads form the famous Murano factories of Venice. Artisians needlework beads expertly create a range of articles like panel and decorative piece often without a fabric base. Beadwork is also done at home by girls for their trousseau and some communities like the Bharwad, a pastoral group, is known for the intricate needle work of its women. In Saurashtra, beadwork is done to adorn horses, camels and bullock carts for weddings and other special occasions. |
Terra-Cotta |
Gujarat’s tradition of terra-cotta work is seen in most cities, town and villages where potters work on making utensils, prayer objects, decorative items and flower pots on their wheels. In areas like Kutch, terra-cotta work extends to sculpting mud walls of the houses and huts with patterns or motifs in relief that are further embellished with mirrors and murals. The potters of the tribal areas of Banaskanta, Sabarkanta, Vadodara and other districts produce votive terra cottas. Generally depicting horses and other animistic figures, these terra cottas are given by tribal groups as offering at shrines. Gujarat is also known for its ceramics. Morvi , Rajkot and villages of Surendranagar District have thriving cottage industries producing ceramic products. |
Stone Jewellery |
The artisans of Khambat (Cambay) continue the craft of stone cutting and bead making which began in ancient times. In the 16th centaury, Khambat was known for its ivory carving, weapons, aromatics, turbans, soap, camphor, gold, silver, silk, carpets, cotton, leather and other handicrafts, but now polishing of precious stones and handicrafts made from semiprecious stones are the main industries for which Khambat, the best piece are selected, and then transported to Khambhat. Here they are dried and heated till they fracture regularly, and than cut and reheated with iron oxide. The stone is than chipped and flaked into beads, before grinding, drilling and polishing. The final product is set into ornaments or utensils. |
Stone Work |
Like its woodcarving skills. Gujarat’s stone sculpture is seen at a number of temples forts, places and havelis in the state. |
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Other Handicrafts |
HEART OF ART |
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A CONFLUENCE OF ART, GUJARAT OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF HAND MADE ARTEFACTS AND TEXTILES. HERE ARE SOME YOU COUL LOOK OUT FOR ON YOU VISIT TO THE STATE. |
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Heer Bharat: Used to decorate entrance to homes, this horizontal strip embroidered in various geometric and floral motifs makes an ideal gift for friends and family. The best work is to be found in bazaars of Bhuj where you can buy it directly from the artists. |
Kanjri: Popularized by Bollywood films as – cholis- these heavily embroidered backless Blouses traditionally worn by Rabbari women make for a flamboyant fashion statement. Available across Gujarat. |
Patchwork Quilts: Stitched together in geometric shapes of varied textures and colours interspersed with embroidery patchwork quilts of Gujarat are simply unique. Also available as wall hangings, bed-covers and table cloths. If you don’t have one, pick one up. |
Brocades: They say that now one weaves brocades better than the wavers of Mehsana district . Drop by here to talk to the weavers and pick up an item or two. If old brocade is what you are looking for try the shops at Sonapur Road in Surat for bedspreads, wall pieces and tablecloths made from discarded old brocade piece. |
Mashru: Used on blouse and skirts worn by women in Saurashtra and Kutch, this exquisite craft of melding cotton with silk can be found in Mandvi, Patan and the Bombay market in Surat. |
Handblock Prints: Dating back to 17th century the art of block printing is one of the most popular art forms in Gujarat . Printed with vegetable dyes, the fabrics offer and exciting range of soft furnishing and dress a material including saris. Look out for the prized Ahrakh range of prints dyed in indigo or deep red colours. Available in old Ahmedabad, east of Sabarmati River. |
SILVERWARE. Gujarat is known for its silversmith who produces beautiful, Jewellery, utensils and objects. Rajkot, Gondal, Wadhwan and other places of Saurashtra are known for their silverwork and Kutch produces some of India’s finest silver ornaments. In Banaskanta and Sabarkanta District, silversmiths make chunky jewellery for the tribal and pastoral groups of the area. |
Metal : Beside Jewellery, other metalwork too thrives in Gujarat, has one of the most exciting range of traditional metal work available anywhere in India. Look out for the brass utensils, pataris (brass, copper and silver boxes), solid cast chains for swings, betel boxes, cowbells, nutcrackers, trays, table and ornamental doors. Some important centers are anjar in Kutch District, Wadhwan in Surendranagar District and Sihore near Bhavnagar. |
Leather Work: In ancient times the leather workers would craft leather saddles and boots of the army today they make exquisite toys, bags, mirrors frames, shoes and slippers, Decorated with stitch embroidery and mirrors these colourful items can be found in Kutch district of Gujarat. |
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