Clay Crafts and Pottery
Indian has a rich tradition of clay crafts and pottery throughout the country. There is hardly any Hindu festival or ritual, which is complete without the use of earthen lamps or diya. The terracotta tradition is the continuation of the Indus valley traditions that date back 5000 years. India also has an age-old tradition of clay toys and terracotta figures. Terracotta work is centered in the states of West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. West Bengal is also known for unfired clay sculptures. The Bankura terracotta horse is popular all over India. Translucent blue pottery is made in Delhi and Jaipur. Clay crafts are deeply rooted in the tribal societies of our country.
Gems And Jewelry
The discussion about Indian crafts and culture is meaningless without the reference to gems and jewelry. Indians have been obsessed with use of gems and jewelry from the beginning of Indian civilization. This obsession is not only fuelled by religious practices and myths but also by economic and Stone Jewelryocial reasons
Jewelry made of gold, silver, copper, terracotta and beads have been found from various sites belonging to the Indus valley civilization. Though there is some reference to ancient jewelry making, the Mughals rulers took jewelry making to new heights. Not only Islamic designs and motifs were incorporated into the Indian jewelry tradition, but new techniques like enameling, damascening, engraving and inlaying were introduced by them. The richly adorned and embellished peacock throne of the Mughals is the finest example of their excellence in working with precious metals and stones.
There is a profusion of jewelry styles across the country. All sorts of material like gold, silver, copper, coral, pearl, precious and semi-precious stones are used in making jewelry. Each region has its own distinct flavor, which reflects local tradition and influences. Rajasthan and Delhi are known for meenakari and enameling. Pearl jewelry is common in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Gold and silver jewelry is common to most regions of the country. Silver predominates most of the traditional jewelry of the tribals.
Gems and semi-precious stones have been used by Indians not only in jewelry pieces but also for medicinal and astrological reasons. India is the largest importer of gold in the world and it has the largest gem cutting and polishing industry in the world.
Glassware
Glass has fascinated human beings since the dawn of civilized world. Glass is not only used in making utilitarian items such as bowls, bottles, lampshades, perfume bottles, bangles etc, it is also used for making small decorative items such as toys, beads, paintings etc. Ferozabad and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh are known for their glassware.Rajasthani Jutti
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