Others

Lacquer Craft of Orissa

Lacquer is the refuse of an insect gathered by the tribals in the forests. The Hindu women of Baleshwar and Nowrangpur districts mix it with colours and apply it on small cane boxes made by tribals, and terracotta figures which they make themselves. After several coats of lacquer have sealed the core, the surface is decorated with motifs borrowed from nature, geometric patterns and religious symbols. Although the visual power of colour and design combine to make an ornamental effect, the artisans are only just exploring the area of material, form and technique.

Topic
Arts & Crafts

Lacquerware of Karnataka

Lacquerware is a traditional craft of Karnataka largely practiced by craftsmen in Chennapatna, located about 65 km from Bangalore. The lacquer ware craft involves the application of lacquer on wood being revolved by hand or power operated lathe. During the lacquering process colored lac sticks are pressed against the shaped wooden object to be lacquered.

Chennapatna is the hub of a wide array of lacquerware products including toys for children, kitchenware, tableware, bangles and jewellery, furniture items, cradles and many more items of utility value. Artisans engaged in this traditional craft are called chitragars and they mostly reside in several villages around Chennapatna like Makkan, Yelekeri, and Diara.

Topic
Arts & Crafts

Sholapith Craft of Bengal

Sholapith is a milky-white sponge-wood, used for crafting beautiful decorative pieces. It is also known as 'herbal ivory', as it seems to look like the milky-white items made from ivory. Sholapith is popularly used to craft head-wears of bridal couples, garlands, decorative fans, animals, birds, dolls, Images of gods and Goddesses, elephant-howdahs, peacock-boats, palanquins, flowers various kinds of crowns and backdrop of Durga Pooja stages.

Topic
arts_crafts_image
Arts & Crafts

Unique Conch Shell Craft of Bengal

Conch shell craft is one of the most unique and most beautiful forms of handicrafts practiced in West Bengal. It has a close significance to the rich culture of its state. It is actually the art of engraving decorative motifs on the natural shells obtained from the ocean. Conchshell crafts are beautiful and delicate, apart from being considered to be extremely auspicious in the Hindu mythology.

Conch shell craft basically refers to the art of engraving beautiful images on natural shells, obtained from the ocean bed. Each artisan has his own unique pattern of carving the shell.

Topic
arts_crafts_image
Arts & Crafts

Lacquer Craft

Lacquer craft is application of lacquer on wood in pleasing shades to create a distinctive appeal. Etikoppaka in Andhra Pradesh is one of the most important centres of this craft. This place is one of the major centers of this craft. The Lacquer craft involves the application of lacquer on wood in pleasing shades to create a distinguishing appeal.

Lacquering could be done either by hand or machine. The lac bangle is the most popular lacquerware that also comes embellished with stones, beads, glass and mirrors.

Topic
Arts & Crafts

Cross Bows of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Another functional craft is the making of crossbows which consist of a central beam of wood with grooves and iron loops to hold arrows and quiver, and a bow shaped arc made of thinner and lighter wood, its ends joined with a string. A trigger made of wood or bone is fixed to the lower portion of the beam. The cross how is used with one hand and can shoot up to 150 yards. Its novel design and trigger system make it a prized handicraft article for tourists

Topic
Arts & Crafts