Rajasthan is the largest producer of Handicrafts in India. Tourists visiting the country always desire to take back souvenirs of Rajasthani handicrafts. Many bright coloured and patterned crafts of the state are used to adorn households as interior decor items, whereas the other crafts are products of utility - items of daily use, garments, accessories and more. Among the multiple Rajasthani handicrafts are included Jewellery, Textiles, Handmade Paper, precious and semi-precious stones and gemstones, Paintings, Leather Craft, Marble Handicrafts and other handcrafted items of wood, ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver, gold and more.
Crafts of Rajasthani attires and Ornaments
The appealing plethora of Rajasthani handicrafts encompasses Jewellery, a very essential fragment of Rajasthani attires, in many unique styles and designs that tend to vary with regions. Jewellery from Rajasthan is elegant and ornate, mostly worn by the Rajputs and royalty, as well as simple and chunky worn by the tribes. Rajasthani men too often don ornaments like chokers and earrings. The extensive mining in the Aravalli range in Rajasthan makes the state a noted export centre of semi-precious stones. Meenakari and Kundan designs are native to the state. Lac bangles are also very famous.
Textiles and Handicrafts of Rajasthan
Textiles and fabrics of Rajasthan are predominantly vibrant and attractive. The ancient, laborious and meticulous tradition of printing with finely carved wooden blocks still survives. Villages in southwest Rajasthan are very adept at needlework. Most of the Rajasthani attires showcase heavy embroidery, also with mirrors and applique work for variation. Paintings in Rajasthan have flourished since the Mughals reached the Rajput courts and with time, different schools of painting have evolved. Marble from Rajasthan has been used for construction of monuments like Taj Mahal. Marble objects range from decorative plates to boxes and animal figures, Jaipur being the main centre.
Pottery of Rajasthan
Rajasthan"s ivory carving centres are at Udaipur, Bharatpur and Jaipur. Jaipur is famous for its carved ivory, whilst Jodhpur specialises in ivory bangles. Regal blue-glazed pottery of Jaipur is among the most arresting crafts of the state. An array of terracotta items is also produced. Kathputlis or wooden puppets of Rajasthan are very popular, also used in Puppet theatre and entertainment in villages.
Leather Crafts of Rajasthan
Leather craft and industry of Rajasthan boast a long history. Leather shoes known as Jootis or Mojdis are made in Jaipur and Jodhpur, with embroidery known as Kashida, first done on velvet in Jaipur and then made to cover the shoes and applied directly to the leather in Jodhpur.
Other Crafts of Rajasthan
Furniture of Rajasthan is in harmony with its multitude palaces, displaying similar intricate and appealing designs, varying region to region. Latticework on carved wooden furniture is most famous. Carpets and Durries of Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Tonk come in stunning designs employing varied motifs and pastel shades.
