Cultural Property - Craft Documentation & Online Research Archive

Bhitti Chitra (Muriya Painting)~ Chhattisgarh

info_admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:39:49 +0000

Bhitti Chitras Chhattisgarh are an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage, visually representing and preserving historical traditions, customs, rituals, collective memory, and the unique identity of each community or tribe. The term Bhitti Chitra comes from two Sanskrit words: bhitti, meaning wall, and chitra, meaning painting. These artworks have long served as a medium to pass down knowledge, beliefs, and customs across generations. They are both informative and aesthetically appealing.

These paintings are not confined to a specific artistic style; they are primarily narrative, where each element symbolizes a cultural belief or value. Different tribes create these paintings for different purposes, but among the most well-known are those of the Muria people, an indigenous tribal community from the Bastar region. As a subgroup of the larger Gond tribe, the Muria are known for their progressive perspectives on life and marriage, and they were traditionally responsible for painting the walls of the Ghotuls, their unique youth dormitories.

The post Bhitti Chitra (Muriya Painting)~ Chhattisgarh first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Saree Weaving- Gadwal

info_admin — Fri, 02 May 2025 10:01:39 +0000

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.

The post Saree Weaving- Gadwal first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Wooden Toys ~ Nirmal

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:01:47 +0000

The name of the craft, “Nirmal Toys” is synonymous with the city itself. Made from a locally sourced lightweight wood, these toys undergo a series of treatments and are then hand-painted, giving them a distinctive local aesthetic. The vibrant color palette is evident, reflecting hues commonly seen in temples, posters, and even traditional clothing.

The post Wooden Toys ~ Nirmal first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Screw Pine Craft ~ Thrissur

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 06:30:49 +0000

The plant, which is abundantly grown in Thrissur district of Kerala, forms an important raw material to make one of the prominent and most popular craft of this state: the screw pine craft of Kerala. This craft which is made entirely from the plant itself is considered as the most eco-friendly craft of Kerala. All parts of the screw-pine plant are used to make the various beautiful and attractive products like bags, mats, bowls: right from the leaves of the plant to the roots.

The post Screw Pine Craft ~ Thrissur first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Kathakali Headgear ~ Vellinezhi, Palakkad

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:15:41 +0000

Kathakali is one of the 9 major Indian classical dances recognized by the Indian Ministry of Culture and Sangeet Natak Academy. Native to the state of Kerala, Kathakali was born in the 17th century. It is the performance or enactment of stories through dance and ancient Indian martial art techniques. The roots of Kathakali can be traced back to Bharat muni’s text Natya Shastra that contains verses on performance techniques. Traditionally, religious, spiritual and folklore narratives comprised the plotline of Kathakali performances. In recent times, however, adaptations of modern literary works and stories have been incorporated too.

The post Kathakali Headgear ~ Vellinezhi, Palakkad first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Mural paintings~Thiruvananthapuram

info_admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 11:46:27 +0000

The state of Kerala, known as ‘God’s own country’, has a rich assortment of religious influence in their crafts which is continued and secured for traditional and cultural retention. One such art form which has a higher religious influence on it is mural paintings practiced in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. This art form stands as the highest in India’s artistic tradition. The Mural painting art of Kerala is known for their technical excellence, depicting enchanting storytelling through clear and bold strokes by using bright and beautiful colours.

The post Mural paintings~Thiruvananthapuram first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Nettur Petti ~ Maradu, Ernakulam

info_admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:38:51 +0000

Originally the craft form from the northern part of Kerala, Nettur Petti, a jewellery box is an amalgamation of artistic skill which symbolizes Kerala’s culture and architecture. Today, the craft form of making Nettur Petti survives only in some parts of southern Kerala like in Maradu village in Ernakulam district.

The post Nettur Petti ~ Maradu, Ernakulam first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Bidri ~ Bidar

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 06:19:53 +0000

The beauty of the aesthetic designs and patterns etched in silver against the deep black colour makes the products appealing to the eye and draws a large number of consumers world-wide. The unique aspect of the Bidri craft is the soil used to ornament the art objects. This soil has not received rain or sunlight for centuries and is collected by artisans from the inner areas of the Bidar Fort.

The post Bidri ~ Bidar first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Indo Jewish embroidery ~ Kochi

info_admin — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 09:52:57 +0000

The Indo-Jewish embroidery, spinning and shadow work is found in a quiet heritage corner of Mattancherry in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Near one of the oldest Jewish Synagogues (Jewish place of worship) in the world is the largest settlement of Jews in India following their expulsion from Portugal in 1492 by the Alhambra Decree and stayed in what is now called Jew Street and cultivated the intricate art of Jewish embroidery that came to be known as Indo-Jewish embroidery as time passed and the art style started reflecting Indian styles.

The Cochin Jews migrated from Kodungallur and back to Israel in 1948 upon its formation that led to a fast dwindling settlement but the art was taught to localities allowing it a longer life term than it should have had.

The post Indo Jewish embroidery ~ Kochi first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.