Art and Craft of Arunachal Pradesh

Art and Craft of Arunachal Pradesh includes a wide variety of indigenous crafts like pottery, woodcarving, painting, weaving, basketry and numerous others which are practiced by the local artisans. This North-Eastern Indian state can be classified into three distinct zones, in the sphere of arts, which consists of Buddhist tribes or Monpas, Sherdukpens and Miji, Khowa and Aka group, the second zone being that of the Khamtis, Membas and Khambas and finally the Singpos. The Buddhist tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are renowned for their attractive masks, mask dances and stage pantomimes.

Excellent carpets, ornamental silver artefacts and painted wooden vessels manufactured by the Monpas are quite reputable, while the bamboo and cane crafts made by the Membas, Khamtis and Khambas are also favourable. Coats, shoulder bags and shawls made by Mishmis and jackets woven by the Apatanis are amongst the other interesting crafts of this state. The Singpos are known for their woodcarvings and the Wanchos are admired for their ability to create fantastic bags and other items from ivory, beads of agats, boar`s tusks and goat`s hair.

Bamboo and Cane Crafts of Arunachal Pradesh : The craftsmen of this state are engaged in crafting numerable artefacts from bamboo and cane like different types of baskets, hats of numerous shapes and sizes, cane vessels, bamboo mugs, jewelleries out of bamboo and cane, cane belts and many other articles. Hexagon and twill are the two kinds of processes which are employed while manufacturing such crafts.

The womenfolk of this region of India is involved in the occupation of weaving and it is said that the colour combination utilized by them are quite beautiful. Scarlet, yellow, black, green, dark, blue and yellow are the most commonly used colours used by the local weavers. Elaborate geometric motifs, which also consist of lozenges and diamonds, are also employed. Natural dyes are preferred. Scarves, Apatani jackets, bags, Sherdukpen shawls, loin cloths and Wancho bags are some of the notable products which are manufactured in this part of the country.

Floral and geometric patterns as well as those of dragons are widely utilized while making carpets in Arunachal Pradesh. The craft of weaving carpets is one of the traditional crafts of this area. With the passage of time, the carpets of this region have gained popularity due to their unique colour combination. The Monpas are well-known for the capability of weaving wonderful carpets.

Jewellery-creating craft of this Indian state is very popular and includes various types of appealing pieces of ornaments. Beads of different sizes and green wings of beetles are often utilized in adorning the jewels. Bamboo ear ornaments and bangles are crafted by the Akas, which are embellished with pocker patterns. The Wanchos and Noctes love wearing beaded jewellery, especially around their necks, most of which possesses spectacular designs and colours. Beaded jewels are manufactured from reed, bamboo, wild seeds and glass beads. Mishmis are well-known for their silver ornaments and the Idu Mishmi ladies are clad in wonderful earrings and silver fillet necklaces with lockets. The Apatani women prefer sporting nose plugs which are made of cane.

The people who belong to the first group make beautiful masks and also stage pantomimes and mask dances. The Monpas make beautiful carpets, painted wooden vessels and silver articles. The people who belong to the second zone are expert workers in cane and bamboo. The second cultural zone occupies the central part from East Kameng District in the west to Lohit in the east. They weave articles that are in common use in their daily life. The shawls and Jackets of the Apatanis, the Adis Gale and shoulder bag and the Mishmi`s coat and shawl are symbolic of the high artistic sense of these people. The people of the third zone are known for their wood carving. The Wanchos weave beautiful bag and loin cloth. Goat`s hair, ivory, boar`s tusks and other stones as well as of brass and glasses are special fascinations of the people in this zone.

Wood craft is a tradition with some of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The Monpas, Khamtis, and Wanchos are masters of this art. The Monpa wood carver makes beautiful cups, dishes; fruit bowls and magnificent masks for ceremonial dances and pantomimes.

Khambas and Membas of West Siang also carve wooden masks. The Khamtis make beautiful religious images figures of dancers, toys and other objects. The Wancho area is the chief centre of wood carving. Wancho wood carvers have deep sense of proportion, though they give much attention to the head. Of late symmetrical postures are replaced by asymmetrical ones; relief works are experimented in various themes.

Ornament making is another craft practiced in Arunachal Pradesh. Beads of various colours and sizes, blue feathered wings of birds and green wings of beetles are used in decoration. The Akas make bamboo bangles and ear ornament which are sometimes decorated with pocker work designs. The Wancho girls are expert in bead work. The Wanchos make ear ornaments from glass beads, wild seeds, cane, bamboo and reed. Silver ornaments are a specialty of the Mishmi tribe. The Idu Mishmi women wear silver fillet necklaces with lockets and beautiful earring.

The Monpas, Khamtis and Wanchos are capable of creating fruit bowls, dishes, cups and masks which are often sued in several traditional dances and pantomimes in Arunachal Pradesh. The Membas and Khambas tribes of the region of West Siang are known for their toys and other objects while the area of Wancho is distinguished for its innovative wood carvings. Nowadays, the wood artisans have deviated from the traditional styles of crafting the wood carvings and introduced a modern touch into their crafts.

Ivory crafts, paper crafts, carpentry crafts and pottery crafts are amongst the other significant crafts of this region. Paper trees are made by Monpas and the hand made papers are utilized for writing hymns. Different types of tools which are required for utilitarian purposes are manufactured by the local craftsmen of Arunachal Pradesh. Adis are known to be dexterous in the art of gum-making and Nishing smiths make bells, dishes and ornaments. The Apatani Tribe, Nishings, Wanchos and Noctes are renowned for their crafts. Several kinds of hunting weapons like arrows, daos, spears, bows and arrows cross bows and guns made by the local artisans are useful crafts. Fishing nets are also woven by the regional people of this Indian state. Ivory crafts and the craft of making dolls are amongst the other traditional crafts practised here.