tribal craft - Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom

Terracotta ~ Kumhar Para, Kondagaon

info_admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:43:27 +0000

In a small village of Kumhar Para, a beautiful craft called Terracotta flourishes. Terracotta is derived from two Italian words- Terra, meaning earth, and Cotta, meaning cooked or baked. Amid a world of constant push towards mass production, the villagers here continue to showcase their timeless craftsmanship in each unique, handcrafted item, produced in limited quantities.

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Wood carving ~ Narayanpur

info_admin — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:59:45 +0000

Wood carving Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, is one of India’s most celebrated tribal art forms. It is a vital part of the broader Bastar woodcraft tradition, characterized by its intricate storytelling, connection to nature, and reflection of the cultural heritage of the locals. Bastar wooden craft received the Geographical Indication Tag in 2007 for its uniqueness of creation.

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Weaving ~ Kotpad, Odisha

info_admin — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 15:53:47 +0000

Kotpad handloom weaving is a century-old textile tradition that originated in a small weaving village called ‘Kotpad’ in the Koraput district of Odisha. Known for preserving and promoting tribal heritage, Kotpad handlooms became the first product in Odisha to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2005, thereby protecting its uniqueness. These textiles are woven by the Panka, Mirga and Manikpuria community in the southern areas of Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

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Wrought Iron ~Kidai chepda, Kondagaon

info_admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:12:18 +0000

In Chhattisgarh, the knowledge of iron is as old as civilization itself. The Agariya community, whose name comes from the word Aag meaning fire, has long been the torchbearer of this tradition, extracting iron from ore and shaping it into functional objects like agricultural tools, hunting gear, diyas, and more.
This age-old skill found new meaning when their creations reached urban markets. The raw, rustic aesthetic of their work captivated modern audiences, inspiring artisans and designers to collaborate and experiment. What began as a traditional craft has evolved continuously for over four decades, and the story still forges ahead.

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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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Lambani Embroidery ~ Ballari

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 09:38:50 +0000

The Lambani community is considered to be one of the oldest communities in the world. There are numerous stories that explain their origin and migration patterns. Known as a nomadic tribe, they reared buffaloes that were used to transport materials, grains, and salt from one place to another. The Lambanis are a colourful tribe; today, their clothing, ornaments and other accessories have come to define their identities and cultural heritage. The embroidery on their clothes is spectacular and is popular in regions where the Lambanis have settled over time. Consisting of about 40 embroidery techniques, Lambani embroidery has earned a GI Tag in Ballari, Karnataka and is one of the most intricate, beautiful and delicate handicrafts. Lambani embroidery is a perfect culmination of artistry, technique, pattern work and intricacy.

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Wood carving~Khajuraho

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:56:03 +0000

Wood carving is one of the ancient methods of expression. Idols for worship, decorating architectural elements, ritual objects like masks or totem poles, toys etc. were skillfully crafted using wood. Being a material once abundantly available, it found various forms and usages, transformed in the hands of the craftsmen.

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