Crafts of Indian states are innumerable and which have attained commercial proportions not only in India but also abroad. They make excellent souvenirs for tourists and are sold through various handicrafts emporium. Craft making is an ancient tradition in India, which has withstood the test of time, and this tradition has passed on from generation to generation. The Indian craftsmen are adept in manufacturing diverse crafts, which have attracted the attention of connoisseurs of craft all over the world.
Crafts of North Indian States
The Northern Indian states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh are renowned for their exquisite crafts which involve embroidery, pottery -making, carpets -weaving, metal crafts, furniture making and wood carving. Punjab`s durry-weaving and phulkari crafts, shawls of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, wood crafts of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh are some of the different crafts of these portions of India. The crafts of Haryana have never been widely acclaimed and more than artistic showpieces they are utilitarian in nature. The crafts of Himachal Pradesh have a relatively good demand in the market and some of the major crafts of the region include textiles, woodcarvings, carpet making and pottery.
Crafts of North-Eastern Indian States
Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya are the Indian states which specialise in creating numerous beautiful crafts. One will come across bell metal crafts, sholapitha crafts, brass metalware, `sitalpith` crafts, wood crafts, fibre crafts and pottery work in Assam. Assam`s weaving industry is famous, particularly for weaving mulberry silk sarees. Manipur is well-known for its production of jewelleries, bamboo and cane crafts, metal bowls and dolls of clay. Manipur is a storehouse of crafts and the people here are known to take a lot of interest in make new innovation in the craft. Pineapple fibre artefacts, especially purses, bags and nets made in Meghalaya are quite popular. Tripura`s silver ornaments, `sitalpati`, tablemats, etc are important crafts of this region. The various crafts of Nagaland are woodcarvings, bamboo work, and pottery, which have a commercial demand in the local and international market.
Crafts of South Indian States
The crafts of Karnataka bear testimony to the dexterity, and decorative abilities of the craftsperson. The crafts of the state include woodcarving, ivory carving, `kasuti embroidery`, durries, Pottery and `Cheennapatna` toys. Papier mache, stone craft, pottery, woodcraft, embroidery, durries and metal ware are the various crafts of Tamil Nadu. The craftsmen of Andhra Pradesh are engaged in making bidri crafts, embroidery crafts known as `banjara needle craft`, `Budhithi brassware`, lacquer crafts and others. Kerala produces reputable products of metal crafts, wood crafts, bamboo crafts and ivory crafts.
Crafts of Eastern Indian States
West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand are the states of Eastern India which manufacture unique crafts. Terracotta crafts, clay crafts, jute crafts, leather crafts, conch shell crafts and `kantha-stitch` crafts are amongst the reputable crafts of West Bengal. Bihar produces marvellous glassworks, carpet weaving crafts, lacquer crafts and stone crafts. Applique work, `Patachitra`, wood carvings and metal crafts of Orissa are in high demand. Craftsmen of Jharkhand manufacture spectacular items like toys and bamboo baskets.
Crafts of Western Indian States
The embroidery work of Gujarat and Rajasthan are immensely popular, particularly the crochet lace crafts of Jamnagar region of Gujarat, `gota` stitch and `pichwai` embroidery of Nathdwara are some of the exclusive embroidery crafts of the state of Rajasthan. Kutch and Saurashtra are the other areas of Gujarat whose embroidery works are equally famous. The crafts of Gujarat have been deftly passed on from generation to generation and are replete with vibrancy. The major crafts of Gujarat are fascinating textiles, elaborately carved wooden and stone jharokhas, bandhini and intricately carved silver jewellery. Pottery crafts, wood carvings and weaving of `kosa` silk in Maharashtra are the the other significant crafts of these parts of the country. The crafts of Goa are a commercial success and reflect the perennial glory of Goa. The chief craft forms in the state are pottery and terracotta, woodwork, brass and metal work, crochet embroidery, bamboo craft, fibre craft, batik prints and metal embossing.
Crafts of Central Indian States
The crafts of Madhya Pradesh have attained commercial proportions and are sold in emporiums and shops around the country. Various decorative and utilitarian items like baskets, fishing equipments and agricultural tools made of bamboo and wood manufactured in Chattisgarh are highly favoured. Jewellery from Chattisgarh is available in gold, silver bronze and mixed metal. Rewa and Indore in Madhya Pradesh are known for their lac jewelleries. Central India is also a distinguished spot of producing leather crafts, particularly Dewas, Indore, Bilaspur and Gwalior. The various leather items produced are shoes, `jutties`, bags and garments. Toys and animal boxes made from leather in Balaghat region of Madhya Pradesh are interesting stone crafts.
