Chitrakoot Wooden Toys are a traditional handicraft of the Chitrakoot region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, renowned for their handcrafted wooden forms finished with vibrant natural lacquer. Made on hand-operated lathes using locally sourced wood, these toys combine functionality, aesthetic appeal, and cultural significance. Reflecting the region’s rich woodworking heritage, they include spinning tops, […]
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Kunhimangalam, a heritage village in Kerala’s Kannur district, is renowned as one of the state’s oldest centres of traditional bell metal casting. Practised primarily by the hereditary Moosari artisans of the Vishwakarma community, the craft employs the ancient lost-wax casting technique to produce Panchaloha idols, temple lamps, ritual objects, bells, and domestic utensils. Combining centuries […]
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Chaapa, also known as Chhapa or Behari Chaapa, is a distinctive textile decoration tradition practised among Muslim communities in Bihar, particularly in the Magadh region. Unlike conventional block printing, where wooden blocks are used with dyes or pigments, Chaapa relies on a combination of adhesive and extremely thin metallic foil to create decorative motifs on […]
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Among the many schools of painting that emerged during the transition from Mughal sovereignty to British colonial rule, Patna Kalam occupies a distinctive position within the history of South Asian art. Flourishing between the mid eighteenth and early twentieth centuries in the urban centre of Patna, the school developed through the migration of Mughal-trained painters […]
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Lahthi, the traditional lac bangle craft of Muzaffarpur in Bihar, represents a long-standing artisanal tradition rooted in material culture, ritual practice and hereditary craftsmanship. Made from lac, a natural resin secreted by the insect Kerria lacca, these bangles occupy an important place in the social and cultural life of eastern India. The craft survives through […]
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The chandi ki chappal, or silver slippers, represents one of Lucknow’s most unique and increasingly rare traditions known for its grandeur and richness. Once a hallmark of royal splendour, it now survives as a fading legacy, sustained by only a handful of skilled artisans. Today, only three to four artisans continue to make these slippers, […]
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Mukaish (or Muqaish) is a form of metal embroidery known for its delicate shimmer, created by embedding fine, flattened metal wires into fabric. Originally crafted using gold and silver wires for royal garments, it is a technique that does not announce itself loudly but reveals its presence gradually through subtle glints of metal that emerge […]
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The wooden craft ( Wooden toys ) of Varanasi are widely known for their finely carved and painted forms. Referred to as Murti Kala by local artisans, they were originally created for pilgrims. These toys are crafted in artisan clusters around Kashmiriganj in Varanasi and are later painted by potters from the Prajapati community. They […]
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The craft of bone carving, which translates to ‘Haddi pe Naqqashi’, is a centuries-old practice that involves the intricate art of naqqashi (carving) on bone. Bone carving is one of India’s lesser-known yet deeply refined crafts. It is practised in various places in India, including Sambhal, Lucknow, Jodhpur and Barabanki. Primarily made from buffalo bones, […]
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The Wooden lathe toys of Varanasi, made on lathe (turning machine), are commonly known as lacquerware toys. These toys are simply fashioned and brightly lacquered, which gives them their distinctive identity, earning them the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015. They are crafted by skilled artisans in the colonies of Kashmiriganj and Khojwa in Varanasi. […]
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