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

02Feb
Articles

The Ink Diaries

The desire to communicate messages, ideas and stories through the means of visual depiction is a phenomenon, filled with the aroma of antiqueness. One can perhaps suggest that the role of ink became pivotal the very moment there were ‘writings’ on the walls.
14 mins read
26478 Views
Ajanta painting with bead jewelry
09Nov
Articles, Resource

Just a simple Bead!

This trade route vibrantly flourished till about 1200 BCE and collapsed thereafter due to war, strife and political instability. Both trade and stories were lost. Incidentally, around the same time, the glass-bead making industry in India was blossoming in several regions...
10 mins read
28677 Views
06Oct
Articles, Process, Tale

On the Wood of Many Hues

The pieces spin once again to apply the coat of lacquer. The sticks of Lac are pressed against the constantly moving surface. The friction of it begins melting the sticks and colour blooms onto the wood as the Lac sticks to it. If the natural colours do not suffice, the artisans turn to acrylics...
7 mins read
13058 Views
09Sep
Craftsmen, Process, Tale

Creators of the Creator (bronze casting)

The process of bronze casting is, in itself, a very spiritual experience. A Sthapathi is expected to be well-versed in the Neetisaram, Amaram, Shilpasaaram, and the Dhyan shlokas. He recites these shlokas and lets the aura of God guide him and help conceive the deity’s form in his mind.
9 mins read
17729 Views
12Aug
Articles, Tale

The Story & the storyteller!

As old as civilisation, the tradition of narrating stories with the help of puppets has been a great source of entertainment and knowledge. Bringing down stories from generation to generation, the storyteller (sutradhara – holder of strings) acquires a vital role in puppet shows.
14 mins read
17633 Views
Traditional Bagru Artisan
17Jul
Craftsmen, Tale

Amidst Rays of Hope and Sunlight (Bagru)

This verse rang true when they came across a piece of land near Jaipur, soil-rich with the waters from river Sanjaria. They rejoiced and settled down with newfound hopes in the place that would come to be known as Bagru.
8 mins read
14915 Views
Doll makers, Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh
28Jun
Articles, Process, Tale

From Rags to Riches (Jhabua Dolls)

The uniqueness of Jhabua cloth dolls is evident through the traditional garb that they wear. These dolls, which can even be as tall as a little girl itself are an embodiment of a person belonging to the Bhil tribe.
6 mins read
20803 Views
Harappa seal and jewelry craft
16Jun
Articles, Tale

A Walk through the streets of Harappa

It’s been 5000 years since the Indus Valley civilisation flourished in areas of what is now India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Thousands of years later, we can still witness the various continuities from the past when it comes to designing our accessories even today
6 mins read
49355 Views
Pattu weaving Craft
07Feb
Articles, Process, Tale, Visits

Pattu

People of dhani grow crops such as jowar and bajra for household consumption as well as selling among fellow weavers thereby creating a sustainable lifestyle locally within the village. Apart from farming in summers they also weave Pattu...
5 mins read
24589 Views
23Jan
Articles

Uncommon sense

Do you think ‘common’ sense leads to a loss of ‘sense’? Wikipedia defines ‘common sense’ as a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things that are shared by (“common to”) nearly all people and can reasonably be expected of nearly all people without need for debate.
5 mins read
13962 Views
11Dec
Articles, Process, Tale

Immortal Bones (Bone Carving)

The art of bone carving goes back to pre-historic times, when each & every part of the hunted animal was used & it was believed that a part of the departed soul stays with them forever. Bones were used for making ornaments & utility articles.
6 mins read
24616 Views