Handicrafts of India

अभिनन्दन from Gaatha

Gaatha project was originally conjured only for researching and documenting the rapid erosion of Indian craft clusters and heritage. However, we soon learnt from the artisans themselves that need was not to do research alone, but to restore ‘pride and serious commercial opportunity’ in their ecosystem. Today Gaatha thus aims to bring the lost respect and wealth back to these beautiful and aesthetically rich Indian handicraft clusters. These researches are important because just like Industrial goods sell on ‘features’, crafts sell on the processes / stories / heritage that go into making them.

We should give crafts a fair chance, someone is right now merrily making something for us, singing a folk song, in a humble house, deep inside India.

Buy: Indian Handicrafts Online
Research & Archive: Indian Crafts

17May
Process, Tale

A picture is worth a thousand words…

these artists draw and paint the entire scene in its full grandeur in amazing detail and fineness on a small canvas, for the king to keep as a memory of the event. These were the exquisite Miniature paintings of Rajasthan in the 16th Century, the incredibly detailed enchanting visual narratives of royal festivities
5 mins read
23355 Views
13May
Process, Tale

Budni Lacquer Craft

This is Budni Ghat, where soft wood spins on the lathe from morning to twilight, metamorphosing into beautiful objects and shapes. The Budni craftsmen, who have been practicing the craft for generations, belong to the Vishwakarma community.
3 mins read
17321 Views
06May
Process, Tale

Voyage Across Time

The enterprising spirit of the Kutchhi navigators and traders had resulted in the development of five ports, Mandvi, Mundra, Jakhau, Lakhpat and Koteshwar in the Kutchh region. The port was also used as a summer retreat by the rulers of Kutchh.
4 mins read
18409 Views
30Apr
Craftsmen, Process, Tale

Art for Enlightenment / Thangka

the Thangka paintings help Tibetan Buddhist practitioners develop a close relationship with a meditational deity, assisting them in clearly visualizing particular images.
6 mins read
16120 Views
28Apr
Articles, Tale

Silver in the days of yore…

the silver ornaments were made by traditional craftsmen by the technique of wax moulding. The Mishmi silver smith craft was much more intricate and artistic than the present day.
4 mins read
15896 Views
16Apr
Articles, Tale

Life in Colour

Among the precious jewels, silks, ivory and spices exported across the seas; there was something that was so unique and rare, that it got its name from the land it came from. It was Indigo, the colour deep blue as the sky, which was used to dye the muslins of the Indus Valley Civilization.
5 mins read
15660 Views
30Mar
Process, Tale

Bobbili Veena

Darsana sparsane chasya bhoga svargapavargade | Punito viprahatyadi patakaih patitam janam || Danda sambhuruma tantri
5 mins read
21437 Views