Textile Tradition
The people from the Indus valley civilization laid the foundation of weaving traditions of our country. Ancient texts and archaeological findings verify the rich textile tradition of India. Indian textiles have been popular abroad since ancient times. The legendary muslins from Dacca were the high point of this craft form. Weaving in India has been conditioned by geographical, cultural, economic and social factors. A variety of material like silk, cotton, wool, jute etc is used by the weavers.
Sari weaving is the main weaving tradition of India. There is a mind-boggling array of styles and brocades throughout the country, which are rich in design and color. Mysore, Banaras, Surat, Kanchipuram, Paithan, Chander etc are some of the important sari weaving centers. Woven woolen items are also popular in India. Woolen Pashmina and Shahtoosh shawls of Kashmir are world famous. Woolen shawls from North-Eastern states and Himachal Pradesh are also popular.Bandhani Made in Rajasthan
India is known for decorative textiles. Embroidery is the beautification of woven material with various types of stitches. A number of embroidery styles flourish in India, they not only vary in technique but also in design and use of fabric. Punjab, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh are main centers of embroidery. Appliqué work is also practiced widely in India. Gujarat, and Punjab are known for rich appliqué work. The tribals of Rajasthan, Orissa and Andhra pradesh also practice this craft from.
Tie and dye (Bandhani), hand printing and block printing techniques are common across the country. The Tie and dye technique of printing in particular is popular in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. A lot of utilitarian items like bed cover, 7sheets, cushions, spreads, garments, curtains etc are created using these traditional textile-printing methods.
Woodcarving and Stone Carving
Indian craftsmen have perfected carving in all its manifestations using a variety of raw material ranging from wood, stone, horn, coconut shell etc. Exquisite woodcarvings depicting gods and goddesses and mythological figures are a common place amongst the carved wood products. Woodcarving is popular in the states of Kashmir, Orissa, Madhya pradesh and the Southern states. The material varies from walnut, redwood, sandalwood and teak etc. Stone carving too is popular amongst Indian crafts and is practiced throughout the country. Delicate marble jali work from Rajasthan and Agra is as popular as the carved sculptures from Orissa and South India. Carving on coconut shells is done in the state of Kerala. Shallow relief carving is also done on conch shells.
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