crafts of india - Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom https://gaatha.org Indian Craft online Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:31:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.16 https://gaatha.org/wp-content/uploads/gaatha-logo-63x63.png crafts of india - Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom https://gaatha.org 32 32 Saree Weaving ~ Arani, Tamil Nadu https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/saree-weaving-arani-tamil-nadu/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/saree-weaving-arani-tamil-nadu/#respond Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:50:01 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=19677 Arani silk, also known as Arni silk, is a celebrated handloom tradition of Tamil Nadu, produced primarily in Arani, Tiruvannamalai. Known for mulberry silk sarees, pure zari borders, lighter drapes and intricate motifs, the craft is sustained by hereditary weaving communities. The korvai technique joins the body, border and pallu by hand, while the sarees […]

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]]> Arani silk, also known as Arni silk, is a celebrated handloom tradition of Tamil Nadu, produced primarily in Arani, Tiruvannamalai. Known for mulberry silk sarees, pure zari borders, lighter drapes and intricate motifs, the craft is sustained by hereditary weaving communities. The korvai technique joins the body, border and pallu by hand, while the sarees hold importance in weddings, religious festivals and ceremonial life. Despite competition from powerlooms, Arani silk remains an important part of Tamil Nadu’s handloom heritage and has received GI recognition.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/saree-weaving-arani-tamil-nadu/feed/ 0 Peruvemba Musical Instruments ~ Palakkad https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/peruvemba-musical-instruments-palakkad/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/peruvemba-musical-instruments-palakkad/#respond Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:47:02 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=19585 Peruvemba, a village near Chittur-Thathamangalam in Palakkad district of Kerala, is known for a longstanding tradition of making leather-based percussion instruments. For around two centuries, artisans of the Kadachi Kollan community have produced instruments such as the mridangam, maddalam, chenda, tabla, timila and idakka. The craft has given the village a distinctive place within Kerala’s […]

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]]> Peruvemba, a village near Chittur-Thathamangalam in Palakkad district of Kerala, is known for a longstanding tradition of making leather-based percussion instruments. For around two centuries, artisans of the Kadachi Kollan community have produced instruments such as the mridangam, maddalam, chenda, tabla, timila and idakka. The craft has given the village a distinctive place within Kerala’s musical landscape, particularly through its association with temple music and Carnatic performance. Musicians from Kerala and other parts of India have sought out Peruvemba’s makers for instruments made according to the tonal requirements of individual performers. The significance of Peruvemba lies not simply in the number of instruments produced there but in the specialised knowledge involved in making them.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/peruvemba-musical-instruments-palakkad/feed/ 0 Stone Carving~Bastar https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/stone-carving-bastar/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/stone-carving-bastar/#respond Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:24:47 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=19432 The stone carving Bastar occupies a distinctive position within the artistic heritage of central India, representing one of the oldest surviving forms of indigenous sculptural practice in the region. Rooted in the forested landscapes of southern Chhattisgarh, the craft has evolved through centuries of interaction between tribal communities, locally available stone resources, and deeply embedded […]

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]]> The stone carving Bastar occupies a distinctive position within the artistic heritage of central India, representing one of the oldest surviving forms of indigenous sculptural practice in the region. Rooted in the forested landscapes of southern Chhattisgarh, the craft has evolved through centuries of interaction between tribal communities, locally available stone resources, and deeply embedded religious and cultural traditions. Unlike the monumental stone sculptures produced under royal patronage in many parts of the Indian subcontinent, Bastar’s stone carving developed primarily within village communities, where artistic production remained closely integrated with ritual observance, everyday life, and the surrounding natural environment.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/stone-carving-bastar/feed/ 0 Bell Metal ~ Kunhimangalam, Kannur https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bell-metal-kunhimangalam-kannur/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bell-metal-kunhimangalam-kannur/#respond Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:45:22 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=14752 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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]]> 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 of metallurgical knowledge with exceptional artistic skill, Kunhimangalam’s bell metal craft occupies an important place in Kerala’s religious, cultural, and artistic traditions, while continuing to preserve a living legacy of South India’s bronze-casting heritage.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bell-metal-kunhimangalam-kannur/feed/ 0 Wood Craft – Sawantwadi https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wood-craft-sawantwadi/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wood-craft-sawantwadi/#respond Sun, 27 Jul 2025 10:51:00 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=17677 Sawantwadi wooden toys were never merely playthings. They have been present over centuries, spanning through an intricate intersection of entertainment, education, cultural transmission, and sacred tradition, making them cherished artifacts across ages and spaces. These toys served purposes far beyond amusement, acting as visual aids, cultural carriers, and emblems of regional pride. Explore the wood […]

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]]> Sawantwadi wooden toys were never merely playthings. They have been present over centuries, spanning through an intricate intersection of entertainment, education, cultural transmission, and sacred tradition, making them cherished artifacts across ages and spaces. These toys served purposes far beyond amusement, acting as visual aids, cultural carriers, and emblems of regional pride. Explore the wood craft Sawantwadi and bring a piece home.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wood-craft-sawantwadi/feed/ 0 Saree Weaving- Gadwal https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/saree-weaving-gadwal/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/saree-weaving-gadwal/#respond Fri, 02 May 2025 10:01:39 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=17613 Saree weaving in Gadwal extends far beyond its material presence. It serves as a living archive of Telugu cultural identity, religious philosophy, caste practices, regional pride, and artisan labor. Rooted in the temple town of Gadwal, the saree carries within its folds the weight of sacred geographies, royal patronage, and craft legacies nurtured over centuries.

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]]> Saree weaving in Gadwal extends far beyond its material presence. It serves as a living archive of Telugu cultural identity, religious philosophy, caste practices, regional pride, and artisan labor. Rooted in the temple town of Gadwal, the saree carries within its folds the weight of sacred geographies, royal patronage, and craft legacies nurtured over centuries.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/saree-weaving-gadwal/feed/ 0 Copper Craft ~ Chiling, Ladakh https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/copper-craft-ladakh-chiling/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/copper-craft-ladakh-chiling/#respond Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:18:09 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=17287 No number of photographs or travel documentaries can prepare one for the boundless grandeur of Ladakh. A person visiting these mountains not only takes something back with him, but also leaves a bit behind. It is an experience which has the power to transform a person for the better. And a tiny yet very crucial […]

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]]> No number of photographs or travel documentaries can prepare one for the boundless grandeur of Ladakh. A person visiting these mountains not only takes something back with him, but also leaves a bit behind. It is an experience which has the power to transform a person for the better. And a tiny yet very crucial part of this experience is the famous cultural craft of copper. There is an abundance of copper in the region. It is interesting to know that the Tibetan word for copper is ‘Zangs’ and the word ‘skar; means valley. So Zanskar can be literally translated to ‘Copper Valley; or even ‘Copper Mountain’.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/copper-craft-ladakh-chiling/feed/ 0 Coppersmith Craft ~ Kashmir https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/coppersmith-craft-kashmir/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/coppersmith-craft-kashmir/#respond Thu, 04 Jul 2024 11:39:15 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=16662 Situated in the heart of Palpora, the area holds a hidden treasure in the form of the residents’ remarkable craftsmanship, particularly displayed by the men now along with the women too. Their adept hands skillfully mould copper into captivating works of art, unveiling the intersection of creativity, firmness, and aspirations. The thriving community of coppersmiths […]

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]]> Situated in the heart of Palpora, the area holds a hidden treasure in the form of the residents’ remarkable craftsmanship, particularly displayed by the men now along with the women too. Their adept hands skillfully mould copper into captivating works of art, unveiling the intersection of creativity, firmness, and aspirations. The thriving community of coppersmiths in Palpora is fuelled by a solid spirit of artistry, resilience, and dreams, transforming the village into a vibrant hub.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/coppersmith-craft-kashmir/feed/ 0 Phad Painting ~ Bhilwara https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/phad-painting-bhilwara/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/phad-painting-bhilwara/#respond Mon, 20 May 2024 06:27:45 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=16335 In the Rajasthani dialect, “Phad” carries the meaning of a fold. The smaller version of Phad painting is referred to as “Phadhye.” The intricate narratives and vibrant colours of Phad paintings contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Rajasthan, showcasing the fusion of visual and performing arts in this traditional form.

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In the Rajasthani dialect, “Phad” carries the meaning of a fold. The smaller version of Phad painting is referred to as “Phadhye.” The intricate narratives and vibrant colours of Phad paintings contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Rajasthan, showcasing the fusion of visual and performing arts in this traditional form.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/phad-painting-bhilwara/feed/ 0 Bamboo Craft, Balaghat https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bamboo-craft-balaghat/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bamboo-craft-balaghat/#respond Tue, 07 May 2024 10:49:47 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=16704 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 […]

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]]> 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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