Process

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

19Mar

Moonj

Moonj is harvested in the months of October and November. Women weave and compose baskets for their household utility and also to form a part of a bride’s trousseau. This is largely carried out as a secondary occupation to agriculture in Uttar Pradesh.

12 Likes

4 mins read

997 Views

03Jul

Dhalapathara ( saree weaving)

Dhalapathara saree used to be the first choice of everyone. Dhalapathara, literally meaning white stone, was at its peak from late 1800s to mid 1900s. It was a regular at weekly markets of Bhubhuneshwar, Calcutta, Sonepat, even in Madhya Pradesh during the 1950s. Oh! the traders from Kolkata used to drool over these Dhalapathara sarees!

32 Likes

6 mins read

2898 Views

06Oct

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...

44 Likes

7 mins read

4698 Views

09Sep

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.

26 Likes

9 mins read

5339 Views

28Jun

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.

55 Likes

6 mins read

6190 Views

07Feb

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...

57 Likes

5 mins read

8995 Views