Technique - Craft Documentation & Online Research Archive https://gaatha.org Indian Craft online Fri, 22 May 2026 12:32:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.12 https://gaatha.org/wp-content/uploads/gaatha-logo-63x63.png Technique - Craft Documentation & Online Research Archive https://gaatha.org 32 32 Silver Chappal ~ Lucknow https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/handmade-silver-chappal-lucknow/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/handmade-silver-chappal-lucknow/#respond Fri, 22 May 2026 12:04:04 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18961 The chandi ki chappal, or silver slippers, represents one of Lucknow’s most unique and increasingly rare traditions known for its grandeur and richness. Once a hallmark of royal splendour, it now survives as a fading legacy, sustained by only a handful of skilled artisans. Today, only three to four artisans continue to make these slippers, […]

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]]> The chandi ki chappal, or silver slippers, represents one of Lucknow’s most unique and increasingly rare traditions known for its grandeur and richness. Once a hallmark of royal splendour, it now survives as a fading legacy, sustained by only a handful of skilled artisans. Today, only three to four artisans continue to make these slippers, as the process requires a highly advanced skill set.
This craft is practised primarily in Lucknow and Hyderabad.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/handmade-silver-chappal-lucknow/feed/ 0 Mukaish Work (badla Kaam) ~ Lucknow https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/mukaish-work-lucknow/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/mukaish-work-lucknow/#respond Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:38:57 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18893 Mukaish (or Muqaish) is a form of metal embroidery known for its delicate shimmer, created by embedding fine, flattened metal wires into fabric. Originally crafted using gold and silver wires for royal garments, it is a technique that does not announce itself loudly but reveals its presence gradually through subtle glints of metal that emerge […]

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]]> Mukaish (or Muqaish) is a form of metal embroidery known for its delicate shimmer, created by embedding fine, flattened metal wires into fabric. Originally crafted using gold and silver wires for royal garments, it is a technique that does not announce itself loudly but reveals its presence gradually through subtle glints of metal that emerge as light moves across the cloth. Historically referred to as Kamdani, it later came to be known as Mukaish in Punjab, meaning something shiny or sparkling. The craft is also called Sacha Kaam, as it was traditionally executed with real gold and silver wires, and is also popular as badla work (badla refers to the flattened metallic wire). Today, Mukaish continues to be practised in the narrow lanes of Purana Lucknow, preserving its quiet elegance and intricate craftsmanship.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/mukaish-work-lucknow/feed/ 0 Bone Carving ~ Lucknow https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bone-carving-lucknow/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bone-carving-lucknow/#respond Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:00:06 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18687 The craft of bone carving, which translates to ‘Haddi pe Naqqashi’, is a centuries-old practice that involves the intricate art of naqqashi (carving) on bone. Bone carving is one of India’s lesser-known yet deeply refined crafts. It is practised in various places in India, including Sambhal, Lucknow, Jodhpur and Barabanki. Primarily made from buffalo bones, […]

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]]> The craft of bone carving, which translates to ‘Haddi pe Naqqashi’, is a centuries-old practice that involves the intricate art of naqqashi (carving) on bone. Bone carving is one of India’s lesser-known yet deeply refined crafts. It is practised in various places in India, including Sambhal, Lucknow, Jodhpur and Barabanki. Primarily made from buffalo bones, the raw material is sourced from slaughterhouses, using bones that are by-product of the meat industry and would otherwise be discarded or buried. 

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bone-carving-lucknow/feed/ 0 Meenakari Craft ~ Varanasi https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/meenakari-craft-varansai/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/meenakari-craft-varansai/#respond Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:08:57 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18549 Meenakari, widely known as the art of Enamelling, is the intricate craft of embellishing metal surfaces with coloured enamels (meena). Meenakari is practised in various parts of the world as well as the Indian subcontinent. The art of Meenakari practised in the lanes of Varanasi is known as Gulabi Meenakari. The colour ‘Gulabi’ pink is […]

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]]> Meenakari, widely known as the art of Enamelling, is the intricate craft of embellishing metal surfaces with coloured enamels (meena). Meenakari is practised in various parts of the world as well as the Indian subcontinent. The art of Meenakari practised in the lanes of Varanasi is known as Gulabi Meenakari. The colour ‘Gulabi’ pink is a predominant colour used, taking its name from the craft. It involves creating surface ornamentation by using vitreous glass enamels on the surface of silver metal.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/meenakari-craft-varansai/feed/ 0 Terracotta ~ Kumhar Para, Kondagaon https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/terracotta-kondagaon-kumhar-para-village/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/terracotta-kondagaon-kumhar-para-village/#respond Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:43:27 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18453 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 […]

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]]> 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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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/terracotta-kondagaon-kumhar-para-village/feed/ 0 Wood carving ~ Narayanpur https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wood-carving-narayanpur/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wood-carving-narayanpur/#respond Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:59:45 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18371 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 […]

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]]> 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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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wood-carving-narayanpur/feed/ 0 Weaving ~ Kotpad, Odisha https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/kotpad-handloom-weaving-odisha/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/kotpad-handloom-weaving-odisha/#respond Sat, 27 Dec 2025 15:53:47 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18323 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 […]

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]]> 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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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/kotpad-handloom-weaving-odisha/feed/ 0 Dhurrie Weaving ~ Warangal https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/dhurrie-weaving-warangal/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/dhurrie-weaving-warangal/#respond Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:43:23 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18259 ‘Dhurrie’, derived from the Hindi and Urdu word ‘dari’, means carpet and is considered the world’s oldest floor covering. The etymology of the word dhurrie is a bit complicated. In Sanskrit, Dara is a ‘mat of split cane’. In Sindhi, the word dari also means ‘a piece of matting’ and the same word in Punjabi, […]

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]]> ‘Dhurrie’, derived from the Hindi and Urdu word ‘dari’, means carpet and is considered the world’s oldest floor covering. The etymology of the word dhurrie is a bit complicated. In Sanskrit, Dara is a ‘mat of split cane’. In Sindhi, the word dari also means ‘a piece of matting’ and the same word in Punjabi, Bengali, Oriya, and Nepali denotes a ‘carpet’. Warangal dhurries acquired Geographical Indication Tag in 2018, acknowledging its high degree of craftsmanship.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/dhurrie-weaving-warangal/feed/ 0 Bhitti Chitra (Muriya Painting)~ Chhattisgarh https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bhitti-chitra-muriya-painting-chhattisgarh/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bhitti-chitra-muriya-painting-chhattisgarh/#respond Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:39:49 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18223 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 […]

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]]> 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.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/bhitti-chitra-muriya-painting-chhattisgarh/feed/ 0 Wrought Iron ~Kidai chepda, Kondagaon https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wrought-iron-kidai-chepda-kondagaon/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wrought-iron-kidai-chepda-kondagaon/#respond Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:12:18 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18155 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 […]

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]]> 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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