Wood - Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom

Wallnut Wood Carving, Srinagar

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 12:26:14 +0000

Srinagar, in the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, is known for its crafts. Across the areas of Safa Kadal, Noor Bagh and Fateh Kadal are karkhanas (workshop) famous to crafts such as pashmina, copper carving, embroidery and walnut wood carving. Mostly situated in the by-lanes of downtown Srinagar, it is easy to identify a wood carving karkhana from a distance. The periodic hammering of timber and the strong smell of shaven wood makes it distinct.

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Wood Carving – Kullu

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 05:32:27 +0000

The Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is a part of the western Himalayan region with a wide variety of forests. The mountain ranges here are not only inhabited by rich flora and fauna, but it has also influenced the artistic mores of the people in this region. The craft of wood carving is regarded as one of the major aesthetic traditions of the region and undoubtedly, it holds way more value than mere a visual treat. The Devabhoomi(s) (God’s land) has innumerable temples with carvings of wood as well as stone. It is not only for the old ones, but the new additions also share the same expression. The presence of such richly carved structures amidst the Himalayas has supported a subsistence economy for centuries till now. Wood carving, a vernacular craft, is a product of a culture that has evolved with time with geography and thus mirrors the strong cultural and historical forces of a specific region.

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Kangsi~Ujjain

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 13:47:00 +0000

Hand-carved combs are a tradition which has travelled down from the ancient chronicles of hair ornamentation. Kangsi, the craft of making wooden combs is a tradition that is a few hundred-years-old. It is practiced only by a minority of Banjaras in India today. The array of wooden combs decorated with intriguing carving, jali work, inlay and gold & silver ornamentation is indeed a treat to the curious eyes.

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Dhokra~Betul

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:58:27 +0000

Locally known as ‘Bharai kaam’, Dhokra is the art of sculpting brass using the ancient technique of lost – wax casting. Practiced in West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, this metal craft finds different forms of expressions in its pure folk motifs and figures within the different tribes.

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Block Carving~Pethapur

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:16:00 +0000

Some prints are so intricate, that they seem like they are hand drawn with a fine brush, but are actually color impressions of pieces of wood, deftly carved by expert craftsmen. Like the beat of gentle drums these blocks are carved by repetitive thumping of hammers over seasoned wood, creating patterns, geometrical and floral, gently.

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Metal Bell~Nirona

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:23:39 +0000

There are some crafts which are made just for the purpose of decorating or identifying cattle. One such craft which originated with cattle rearing is the craft of metal bells, or ‘Ghantadi-, as known locally in Kutchh, Gujarat (India). The craft is believed to be over a thousand years old, originated in Sindh, (currently in Pakistan). They were tied around the cattle’s neck so the owner would know of their whereabouts. There are thirteen sizes of bells and they are customized for different animals. A goat would have a small bell with a high pitched sound, while a cow would have a larger one with a deeper note. In each size, upto five or six different notes can be made. They are made from scrap iron sheets The metal parts are neatly joined without any kind of welding.

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