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Bell Metal ~ Kunhimangalam, Kannur

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:45:22 +0000

Kunhimangalam, a heritage village in Kerala’s Kannur district, is renowned as one of the state’s oldest centres of traditional bell metal casting. Practised primarily by the hereditary Moosari artisans of the Vishwakarma community, the craft employs the ancient lost-wax casting technique to produce Panchaloha idols, temple lamps, ritual objects, bells, and domestic utensils. Combining centuries of metallurgical knowledge with exceptional artistic skill, Kunhimangalam’s bell metal craft occupies an important place in Kerala’s religious, cultural, and artistic traditions, while continuing to preserve a living legacy of South India’s bronze-casting heritage.

The post Bell Metal ~ Kunhimangalam, Kannur first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Chaapa Work ~Patna

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:14:46 +0000

Chaapa, also known as Chhapa or Behari Chaapa, is a distinctive textile decoration tradition practised among Muslim communities in Bihar, particularly in the Magadh region. Unlike conventional block printing, where wooden blocks are used with dyes or pigments, Chaapa relies on a combination of adhesive and extremely thin metallic foil to create decorative motifs on fabric. Floral and geometric patterns are transferred onto the cloth, producing a bright metallic surface that has long been associated with ceremonial dress. The craft is instantly recognisable within Bihari Muslim culture and remains closely connected to important social and family occasions.

The post Chaapa Work ~Patna first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Patna Kalam ~ Patna

info_admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:54:08 +0000

Among the many schools of painting that emerged during the transition from Mughal sovereignty to British colonial rule, Patna Kalam occupies a distinctive position within the history of South Asian art. Flourishing between the mid eighteenth and early twentieth centuries in the urban centre of Patna, the school developed through the migration of Mughal-trained painters from imperial karkhanas (ateliers) into provincial and commercial centres. Yet, Patna Kalam cannot be understood simply as a provincial continuation of Mughal miniature painting or as a derivative branch of Company art. It represented a profound transformation in the conditions of artistic production itself. In place of the enclosed world of emperors, nobles and dynastic spectacle, the school turned toward bazaars, artisans, itinerant vendors, craftsmen, servants and scenes of ordinary urban labour.

The post Patna Kalam ~ Patna first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Lahthi (Lac Bangle) ~ Muzaffarpur

info_admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:38:13 +0000

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.

The post Lahthi (Lac Bangle) ~ Muzaffarpur first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Silver Chappal ~ Lucknow

info_admin — Fri, 22 May 2026 12:04:04 +0000

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.

The post Silver Chappal ~ Lucknow first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Mukaish Work (badla Kaam) ~ Lucknow

info_admin — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:38:57 +0000

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.

The post Mukaish Work (badla Kaam) ~ Lucknow first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Bone Carving ~ Lucknow

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:00:06 +0000

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.

The post Bone Carving ~ Lucknow first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Wooden Lathe Toys ~ Varanasi

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:27:10 +0000

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.

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

Meenakari Craft ~ Varanasi

info_admin — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:08:57 +0000

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.

The post Meenakari Craft ~ Varanasi first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Terracotta ~ Kumhar Para, Kondagaon

info_admin — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:43:27 +0000

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.

The post Terracotta ~ Kumhar Para, Kondagaon first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.