Crafts of Chhattisgarh have been demand in India and abroad. They depict the craftsmanship of the people of the state. There is a wide range of crafts produced in different regions of the country like metal craft, clay craft, cane and bamboo crafts, wood carvings, etc. These crafts are mostly indigenous to the tribes of Chhattisgarh who are native to the region for thousands of years. Dynastic rules of the region and wave of modernization also had a profound impact on the style and designs of the Crafts of Chhattisgarh.
Types of Crafts of Chhattisgarh
The varieties of Handicrafts in Chhattisgarh are indispensable part of the lives of people in that region. Craftsmen use natural resources to the most advantageous potential for making these crafts. Chhattisgarh is renowned for metal crafts, paintings, pottery, wood crafts, and jewellery among others. Amazing bamboo work, figures of terracotta, and clay pieces are some of the specialties of Chhattisgarh.
Bamboo and Cane crafts
The bamboo craft of the state is an excellent example of artistry. The tribal communities produce daily as well as decorative items out of bamboo. The well-known bamboo products in the state are agricultural implement, fishing traps, hunting tools and baskets. Cane has gained equal importance as raw material for the crafts of the region. Different types of furniture and decorative products are made from cane.
Wood craft
The woodwork of the state involves making beautiful decorative wooden products. The craftsmen of the state carve beautiful wooden ceilings, doors, lintels etc which requires different kinds of wood like shisham, teak, dhudi, sal and kikar. They also make pipes, masks, doors, window frames, sculptures and statues out of wood.
Paintings
The wall painting of the state is associated with traditions and customs. Pithora painting is the most traditional art form. These paintings depict the offering to God and are usually done on marriage ceremonies, childbirth and other occasions. In most of the paintings the horse is always there as it is considered auspicious to sacrifice a horse. In tribal homes, Pithora paintings are very common. It requires natural dyes and they are very colourful.
Jewellery making
Jewellery from Chhattisgarh is dexterously crafted in gold, silver, bronze and mixed metal. Ornaments are also made of beads, cowries and feathers and they are very much a part of the tribal costumes. The tribal men and women both wear traditional ornaments, which are attractive and vibrant.
Weaving craft
Chhattisgarh is famous for cotton woven handloom products. Cotton Fabrics are usually made by the tribals of Bastar. These are made of Kosa thread which is derived from a forest worms. The fabric is hand woven and hand printed by tribes who trace their lineage to the 14th century weaver-saint and poet called Kabir.
Bell Metal craft
Bastar and Raigarh districts of Chhattisgarh are popular for crafting bell metal handicrafts using brass, and bronze. Tribes like "Ghawas" of Bastar and "Jharas" of Raigarh mainly practice this art form, also known as Dhokra art. This is done with lost wax technique or hollow casting.
Godna art
Godna is a pioneering art form in Jangala, Chhattisgarh. Women of this village paint traditional tattoo motifs on textiles. They use natural color obtained from the forest and combine them with acrylic paint to make it more stable on fabric.
Terracotta art
Terracotta has found a place in the handicrafts created by Chhattisgarh. Terracotta pottery represents the rituals and customs of tribal life in the state and symbolizes their social and cultural life.
Tumba art
Tumba is a lesser known craft of Bastar region, which originated with the widespread use of hollow gourd shells. Tribal use them as containers to store water and salfi. This basic use of the shell inspired the art.
