Varanasi / Banaras - Craft Documentation | Research Archive on Handicrafts & Handloom https://gaatha.org Indian Craft online Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:25:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.11 https://gaatha.org/wp-content/uploads/gaatha-logo-63x63.png Varanasi / Banaras - Craft Documentation | Research Archive on Handicrafts & Handloom https://gaatha.org 32 32 Murti Kala ~Wooden craft Varanasi https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/murti-kala-wood-craft-varanasi/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/murti-kala-wood-craft-varanasi/#respond Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:25:31 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18647 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 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 often depict animals, folk figures, deities, and scenes from rural life.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/murti-kala-wood-craft-varanasi/feed/ 0 Wooden Lathe Toys ~ Varanasi https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wooden-lathe-toys-varanasi/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wooden-lathe-toys-varanasi/#respond Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:27:10 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18646 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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]]> 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. The artisans practising this craft belong to the Kunder Kharadi Samaj.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wooden-lathe-toys-varanasi/feed/ 0 Meenakari Craft ~ Varanasi https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/meenakari-craft-varansai/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/meenakari-craft-varansai/#respond Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:08:57 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18549 Meenakari, widely known as the art of Enamelling, is the intricate craft of embellishing metal surfaces with coloured enamels (meena). Meenakari is practised in various parts of the world as well as the Indian subcontinent. The art of Meenakari practised in the lanes of Varanasi is known as Gulabi Meenakari. The colour ‘Gulabi’ pink is […]

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]]> Meenakari, widely known as the art of Enamelling, is the intricate craft of embellishing metal surfaces with coloured enamels (meena). Meenakari is practised in various parts of the world as well as the Indian subcontinent. The art of Meenakari practised in the lanes of Varanasi is known as Gulabi Meenakari. The colour ‘Gulabi’ pink is a predominant colour used, taking its name from the craft. It involves creating surface ornamentation by using vitreous glass enamels on the surface of silver metal.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/meenakari-craft-varansai/feed/ 0 Wood Carving- Banaras https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wood-carving-banaras/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wood-carving-banaras/#respond Sun, 08 Jun 2025 14:18:25 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=17684 In Banaras, carved wood is never just an object—it is memory, prayer, utility, and beauty, all held in the palm of the hand. Whether found in the corners of old homes, beneath the domes of temples, or on the steps of the ghats, wood carving lives alongside the people of this city. It blends into […]

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]]> In Banaras, carved wood is never just an object—it is memory, prayer, utility, and beauty, all held in the palm of the hand. Whether found in the corners of old homes, beneath the domes of temples, or on the steps of the ghats, wood carving lives alongside the people of this city. It blends into their rituals and routines, into their festivals and farewells, into what is sacred and what is ordinary.

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