Madhya Pradesh - Craft documentation | Research archive Handicrafts & Handloom

Stone Carving~ Jabalpur

dev team — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 10:41:48 +0000

Jabalpur stone carvings reflects a long-standing relationship between material, sacred symbolism, and evolving aesthetic sensibilities. Far beyond being mere artifacts of decoration, these carvings operate as objects of devotion, memory, identity, and commerce, migrating from temples to tourist stalls, from rituals to residences.

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Bamboo Craft, Balaghat

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Tue, 07 May 2024 10:49:47 +0000

Often referred to as the “poor man’s timber,” bamboo stands out for its multifunctional utility, offering a myriad of uses that cater to various livelihood options. Its affordability, coupled with its versatile nature, makes bamboo a vital resource for the rural population, playing a crucial role in their daily lives and economic pursuits. The plant’s applications range from construction to handicrafts, embodying a sustainable and accessible material that supports diverse aspects of rural livelihoods in the Balaghat region. In villages like Baihar, Singhpur, Niwari, Chiraidongri, Varasioni, and others in the Mandla region, people are involved in making bamboo products.

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Baiga Adivasi Fabric

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 12:50:00 +0000

In the era of science and technology, certain tribal communities find themselves in a technologically primitive, pre-agricultural stage. Their economy is uncomplicated, primarily rooted in forests, rendering them extremely impoverished. Many among them lack literacy, and their population growth remains stagnant. In India, there are 74 such groups recognized as Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG), and the Baiga community is counted among them. In the state of Madhya Pradesh, which hosts a total of 43 tribal groups, three—namely Baiga, Bharia, and Sahariya—are specifically identified as PTG. This acknowledgment highlights their unique socio-economic and cultural context, positioning them distinctively within the broader framework of tribal communities in India. Baigas are widely distributed in Dindori, Mandla, Shahdol, and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh.

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Teer Kamaan~Jobat

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 12:45:00 +0000

The craft of making ‘Teer-Kamthi’ or Bow & Arrow has been practiced by the Bhils and Bhilalas for many years. These are crafted out of bamboo, cane and sharp metal. When it was used for hunting, the tip of the arrow was dipped in poison and shot out. An experienced person is said to be able to shoot the arrow effectively across a kilometer.

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Carpet Weaving~Gwalior

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 08:14:42 +0000

Gwalior might have been ruled by the Moguls once in the history of time, but the Persian flavor they brought along with them exists in the aesthetic sensibilities of this region even today. Carpet weaving in Gwalior is a much renowned craft, nourished by families of skilled craftsmen.

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Pottery~Chandra Nagar

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 12:58:17 +0000

Earth being revered from time immemorial, mud derived from the land proves to be a perfect offering during worship for the potters of Chandra nagar. There is an added advantage of it being biodegradable, malleable and durable too. Votive figures and objects of daily necessity are crafted out of this. Sculptures of terracotta range from pea-sized to figures of 10 feet take shape in their hands. These are adorned with intricate patterns and painted with colors of different shades of mud.

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Weaving~Maheshwar

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:48:38 +0000

The Maheshwari sari is made of fine handloom cotton & silk yarn. It is uniquely bordered with a traditional design of five stripes running parallel across its length and on its Pallav (the edge which lies across the shoulder) and has a reversible quality. The sari’s origin can be traced to Rani Ahilyabai, the empress of Maheshwar who collected weavers from Surat, Bhuj, Patan and Hydrabad around 200 yrs ago and spearheaded this craft.

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Weaving~Waraseoni

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 09:06:53 +0000

Waraseoni sarees are known for their simplistic beauty and grace, much like the town, that holds a long history of handloom sarees in it. The weavers community or the Koshtis are said to have derived their name from ‘Kosa’ (Tussar silk); and Salewar is said to be from the Sanskrit SÄlika, a weave.

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Weaving~Chanderi

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 06:29:47 +0000

Chanderi sarees are known for their richly diaphanous quality and feather-like weight. These sophisticated sarees are woven with a blend of cotton and silk, with their characteristic zari motifs and prove to be ideal summer wear.

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Bead Work~Jhabua

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 11:27:22 +0000

Beadwork is a craft that is practiced by many tribes across the world and is an expression of their colorful culture. Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh is famous for its bead work and the craft is actively practiced here. Women in families thread together tiny, colorful beads to create intricate pieces of jewelry with designs inspired from nature.

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