Indian Crafts - The Essence of Indian Tradition

Indian crafts form a rich part of Indian tradition. The history of Indian crafts is as old as 5000 years. Indian handcrafts reached its peak during the Indus Valley Civilization and during those times, Indian crafts also held a religious value. So, come let’s have a look at the rich tradition of India, through its wide range of art and crafts.

Indian Carpets

Indian carpets are amongst the best known Indian crafts. The carpets of India form an integral part of the country’s rich craft traditions. The Indian tradition of carpet weaving goes back to several centuries. The Indian carpets are usually woven with wool and silk. The hand flooring carpets like door mats, floor mats and durries are made from cotton, bamboo, grass, jute, coir and wool.

Indian Jewelry - Tradition of India

Indian Gems and Jewelry

Indian gems and Indian jewelry have been the pride of Indian crafts tradition since the ancient times. Earliest Indian jewelry used to be made with seeds, leaves, stones, feathers, berries, fruits, claws, teeth, animal bones and leaves. Today, these forms of Indian jewelry can still be seen to a certain extent in the Indian tribal communities. Indian jewelry has ornaments for every part of the body and today they are made with gold, silver, oxidized metal, diamond, gem stones, pearls, copper and several other semi-precious metals and stones.

Indian Glassware

Just like most of the traditions of Indian crafts, glass making in India also dates back to several years in history. Indian glass making accounts have been found in the epic of Mahabharata and historical events have also found great evidence of Indian glassware art during the medieval period and Mughal rule. Indian glass making is thus, an ancient Indian art.

Indian Pottery

Indian pottery is one of the most fascinating works of art in the Indian tradition of art and crafts. This ancient tradition of pottery making in India speaks volumes about the different civilizations that were born in this mystic land.

Indian Pottery - Tradition of India

Indian Textiles

Textiles form the most versatile tradition of India. The tradition of textiles in India traces back its root to the dawn of Indus Valley Civilization. Textiles weaves of the Indus Valley Civilization weaved garments from homespun cotton. Today, the Indian textiles enjoy being one of the most flourishing trades in the world. The banarasi saree, the Kanjeevaram silk and Khadi are some of the finest examples of the rich and varied Indian textile industry.

Leather Crafts India

The Indian tradition of leather crafts also dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Many ancient texts have been found referring to the use of animal skin in India. The ancient ascetics and sages have themselves testified the ancient Indian tradition of leather crafts. In the olden times, leather was only used was clothes and footwear. These days, leather is mainly used for making armors, bags, shoes, belts, caps and saddles.

Indian Metal Art

Metal works have been in the Indian tradition for some 5000 years now has been well testified by the famous dancing girl image from the Mohenjodaro civilization. Traditionally, the craftsmen of India have been using assorted metals like copper, iron, silver and even alloys like bell metal, bronze, white metal and others to show their versatile metal craftsmanship.

Indian Embroidery - Tradition of India

Indian cane furnishing

Bamboo is considered one of the best assets of Indian tradition where art and craft is concerned. The Indian cane furnishings made from bamboo have been in popular use in the Indian homes since the 2nd century AD. From chairs, sofas, tables, stools, bookshelves and cabinets to beds, couches and recliner, bamboo has found an artistic use in India.

Indian embroidery

Probably the finest examples of Indian embroidery is Chikankari and zardosi work. The detailed and intricate work of these two embroideries is simply fascinating. However, Indian embroidery is just not limited to chikankari and zardosi embroidery. It extends well beyond and almost every state in India has its own unique styles of embroideries. Kashida embroidery of Kashmir, Phulkari embroidery of Punjab and Kantha stitch of West Bengal deserve a special mention in this regard.

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