Rajasthan is famous for some of its most unique arts and crafts,
which they have preserved from the ancient times. Rajasthani art and crafts,
with its astonishing variety, beauty and colour has contributed the most to
the crafts collage of India. Major craft traditions in Rajasthan include
Tie-and-Dye Textiles, Hand block Printing, Quilting, Jewelry, Gems and
Stones, Blue Pottery, Leather Craft, Woodcarving, and local Painting
traditions.
Metal Craft
Some of the finest metal work in Rajasthan uses enameled silver that is
used for everything from pill-boxes to figurines. Brass enamel is less
expensive, and more prevalent from table-tops to dancing peacocks,
caparisoned elephants, dancing camels, swords and shields. One can find
varieties of decorative techniques such as inlay, metal casting, carving,
applique, etc.
Wooden Artifacts
Wood-sometimes plain often painted- is used to make everything from
furniture to artefacts. Its contemporary variants include chairs with
painted backs, camel-hide stools, marble-top tables and carved cabinets.
Artifacts include a range of animal -horses, elephants, parrots - that are
beautifully painted as well as boxes, chests snuff boxes and other
interesting paraphernalia including dancing figurines and dwarpals or
guardians of the doors.
Leatherware
The hides of dead animals is used by skilled cobblers for Jooties
(foot-wear), chairs, musical instruments, mojaries, etc. The Jooties reflect
the unique style of every district they belong to. The leather is punched
and gouged to create patterns, studded, sequined and even embroidered with
woolen motifs. Cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer is famous for
Jooties, musical instruments (like Tabla, Dhol, Dhapli), stringed
instruments (Kamayacha) made out of leather. Bikaner is best known for
painted Lampshades, shields, vases, Mojharies made out of camel hide. Hard
Bag, belts, hats, chairs, foldable chairs with graphic embroideries are from
Tilonia.
Stone Carving
White marble, pink Dholpur, green Kota, white and grey soapstone everything
is used to make elegant statuary, idols, figurines, carved panels, even
elaborate jharokhas for gardens and pavilions. One of Rajasthan's most
enduring arts that is evident in its prevalence in homes all over the state,
stone carving is both an artistic as well as an industrial product.
Textile
The Textile of Rajasthan has a fascinating range of dyed and block printing
fabrics. Each state has its own special colour-scheme design and technique.
The various types of Textile are:-
Hand-block prints, Bandhej, Bandani, Lehriya, Batik, Mothra, Ekdali,
Shikari, Cheent comes under tie & dye category. In addition, the art of
embellished fabrics with embroidery using thread-work, mirror work or gold
brocade is prevalent. Block Printing in vegetable dyes is another famous
art. Carved wooden blocks soaked in different colours and pasted on the
fabric.
Paintings
Paintings are nowhere more vibrant and expressing than that of Rajasthan.
Tradition of painting traces back to the dawn of civilisation. Rajasthan, is
known for its miniature paintings, reflecting an incredible portfolio of
scenes from myth and legend to history to nature. The variation in art of
painting ranges from Wall paintings on Palaces to huts, Miniature paintings,
Phad and Pichwais.
