Cultural variance, beauty and richness depicted through handicrafts

India is a country of deep rooted cultural beliefs and faith. It might be the best example of unity in diversity. One can easily observe the same by a schedule travel, to different parts of India and may be amazed by Indian Heritage: Story of Beliefs and Faith, Sourced from Indian Artisans. Each of 28 states have their unique handicraft, beliefs and values which makes it easily stand out from the rest. Indian artisans recreate the stories, folk tales, beliefs and faith spanned through millennia in the form of their handicrafts and in this way communicate the same to all.

Types of Handicrafts

The importance of handicrafts lie in their being ecofriendly and involvement of personal emotions and human labor. This property makes them worth collecting and requires appreciation. There are many forms of handicrafts famous in India:

• Embroidery (Brocade, Zardozi
• Painting (Madhubani, Worli, Tanjore, Miniature, Pinguli Chitrakathi, Mica, Kangra, Chamba, Murals)
• Quilting
• Pottery and clay craft(terracotta, porcelain, ceramic)
• Candle making
• Weaving(Silk , Cotton, Khadi handlooms)
• Carpet making
• Sewing
• Woodworks(Bamboo, Sandalwood)
• Paper mache
• Beads craft
• Stone craft
• Shell craft
• Jute craft
• Metal crafts (Brass, Copper, Iron, Gold, Silver)
• Leather Craft
• Cloth Craft
• Bandhini
• HandBlock Printing (Sarees and bedding cloth, table cloth, Bags with block print)

Benefits of Handicrafts

The most important and utmost aim of handicrafts is to carry forward family legacy and keep alive the craft in man made mechanical world. It also has following advantages:

• Maintain Eye and Hand movement and keep artisan active till old age
• Keep creativity and craft alive for generations
• Train younger generation in manual dexterity of craft

• Teach the value of handicraft and Indian Heritage
• Train artisans in fine arts and craft and create artistic taste and feeling
• Encourage productivity
• Carry forward family handicraft and contribute in cultural heritage.

Handicraft Economy

Handicrafts plays an important role in increasing Indian economy by international exports. It provides employment to rural and semi urban artisans and encourage craft and generate foreign exchange for the country while helping in preserving heritage. Thankful to handicraft lovers who appreciate and encourage craft!

According to a rough estimate India has more than 3000 handicrafts and artisans are being more creative as and when they have exposures to worldwide lovers and evaluators of craft.

They understand buyers taste and requirements and mold craft according to need. For example, tapestries in Indian prints, handwoven stoles, scarves and neck tie in silk, local designs and motifs. Marble coasters, tiles, chopping boards. Wooden figurines for décor. Runners, table mats, table cloth, beaded cushions, wall hanging, and so on. Choices are limitless!

Handicrafts are transmission of feelings of Artisan! — Shikha Saxena