Crafts - Craft Documentation & Online Research Archive https://gaatha.org Indian Craft online Sat, 30 May 2026 14:12:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.12 https://gaatha.org/wp-content/uploads/gaatha-logo-63x63.png Crafts - Craft Documentation & Online Research Archive https://gaatha.org 32 32 Lahthi (Lac Bangle) ~ Muzaffarpur https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/lahthi-craft-muzaffarpur-lac-bangle/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/lahthi-craft-muzaffarpur-lac-bangle/#respond Fri, 29 May 2026 12:38:13 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=19052 Lahthi, the traditional lac bangle craft of Muzaffarpur in Bihar, represents a long-standing artisanal tradition rooted in material culture, ritual practice and hereditary craftsmanship. Made from lac, a natural resin secreted by the insect Kerria lacca, these bangles occupy an important place in the social and cultural life of eastern India. The craft survives through […]

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]]> Lahthi, the traditional lac bangle craft of Muzaffarpur in Bihar, represents a long-standing artisanal tradition rooted in material culture, ritual practice and hereditary craftsmanship. Made from lac, a natural resin secreted by the insect Kerria lacca, these bangles occupy an important place in the social and cultural life of eastern India. The craft survives through the labour of hereditary artisan communities such as the Laheras or Lakheras, alongside Muslim artisan families who have sustained and expanded the trade over generations.
The craft exists at the intersection of economy, ritual and identity. Lahthi is worn during marriages, festivals and life-cycle ceremonies, while the production system supports thousands of artisans through household workshops, neighbourhood clusters and informal labour networks. Muzaffarpur, particularly the Islampur and Rampur Bakhari clusters, emerged as one of India’s largest centres of lac bangle production during the twentieth century.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/lahthi-craft-muzaffarpur-lac-bangle/feed/ 0 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 Murti Kala ~Wooden craft Varanasi https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/murti-kala-wood-craft-varanasi/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/murti-kala-wood-craft-varanasi/#respond Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:25:31 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18647 The wooden craft ( Wooden toys ) of Varanasi are widely known for their finely carved and painted forms. Referred to as Murti Kala by local artisans, they were originally created for pilgrims. These toys are crafted in artisan clusters around Kashmiriganj in Varanasi and are later painted by potters from the Prajapati community. They […]

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]]> The wooden craft ( Wooden toys ) of Varanasi are widely known for their finely carved and painted forms. Referred to as Murti Kala by local artisans, they were originally created for pilgrims. These toys are crafted in artisan clusters around Kashmiriganj in Varanasi and are later painted by potters from the Prajapati community. They often depict animals, folk figures, deities, and scenes from rural life.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/murti-kala-wood-craft-varanasi/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 Wooden Lathe Toys ~ Varanasi https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wooden-lathe-toys-varanasi/ https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wooden-lathe-toys-varanasi/#respond Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:27:10 +0000 https://gaatha.org/?post_type=listing&p=18646 The Wooden lathe toys of Varanasi, made on lathe (turning machine), are commonly known as lacquerware toys. These toys are simply fashioned and brightly lacquered, which gives them their distinctive identity, earning them the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015. They are crafted by skilled artisans in the colonies of Kashmiriganj and Khojwa in Varanasi. […]

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]]> The Wooden lathe toys of Varanasi, made on lathe (turning machine), are commonly known as lacquerware toys. These toys are simply fashioned and brightly lacquered, which gives them their distinctive identity, earning them the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015. They are crafted by skilled artisans in the colonies of Kashmiriganj and Khojwa in Varanasi. The artisans practising this craft belong to the Kunder Kharadi Samaj.

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]]> https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/wooden-lathe-toys-varanasi/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 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 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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