Painting - 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.

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Wood Craft – Sawantwadi

dev team — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 10:51:00 +0000

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.

The post Wood Craft – Sawantwadi 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.

Phad Painting ~ Bhilwara

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Mon, 20 May 2024 06:27:45 +0000

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.

The post Phad Painting ~ Bhilwara first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Bamboo Craft ~ Wayanad

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Wayanad, a north-eastern district of Kerala is an integral part of the rural economy in bamboo craft production. It is an increasingly important craft form of this state as it provides part-time employment to many cultivators in the lean season which also helps to generate livelihood for a large number of craftsmen. Bamboo mats, curtains, calendar stands, and jewelry are the most famous products of Wayanad

The post Bamboo Craft ~ Wayanad 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.

Bundi Paintings ~ Bundi

info_admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 11:23:36 +0000

Bundi School of Painting, considered as an important and one of the most popular Rajasthani styles of Indian miniature painting, originated in the 17th century in the princely state of Bundi. The figurative art of the Bundi school of paintings serves not only to create powerful means of diffusion for religious thought but also touch upon the most varied aspects of life around it. Through the compositions and descriptions made by the Bundi artists, the lifestyle of royals, battle fields, festivals and horse races are beautifully depicted in Bundi paintings. This type of miniature painting became an important source to understand the social, cultural, political and religious aspects of that period in Rajasthan.

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Sankheda Craft

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 06:48:34 +0000

The sturdy pieces of furniture which are equivalent to vibrant and exquisite pieces of art designed at the Sankheda town by artisans belonging to the Kharadi community. Sankheda is derived from the Gujarati word ‘sanghedu’, which refers to lathe or the machine used to turn wood. These are internationally renowed for their grand, hand-painted motifs on shiny lacquered turned teakwood.

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Clay Dolls~Krishnanagar

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:40:30 +0000

The crafts of West Bengal are renowned all over the word, mainly because of their pastoral charm. Amongst all the crafts of the state, the art of clay doll making is amongst the most popular ones. These beautiful, lively clay structures are adorned with vibrant colours. The art of doll making has thus become an integral part of West Bengal’s culture. These are real-life stylized dolls depicting various social scenarios in India. With their intricate detailing and precision that imitates the expressions and features of an actual human, these dolls are a representation of different individuals and their stories throughout the ages. The craftsmen engaged in this doll making are known to bring life to these dolls through the magic in their fingers and years of experience.

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