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.

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Story of Indian crafts and craftsmen
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    • Know Your Native (INDIAN TRIBE)
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Crafted with Love

14Oct

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Gaatha brings to you, traditional handicrafts and the culture behind them, directly from the very home of the Indian artisan.
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gaatha.handicrafts

Shop | Handmade treasures from the heart of India
Discover | Woven narratives through craft documentation

Owning a Patola saree for special occasions is a d Owning a Patola saree for special occasions is a dream for every woman. But why save all that elegance just for big days? Add a touch of grace to your everyday style with cotton dupattas or silk stoles, their rich colors and unique motifs make every look effortlessly stand out.
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Buy here ~ https://shop.gaatha.com/shop-gujarati-patola-stoles-dupattas
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#ikatweaving #patola #gaatha #womenstyle #gaathahandicrafts #everydaystyle
Often, we limit our imagination to the urban scena Often, we limit our imagination to the urban scenario. But as we travel deeper into interior tribal regions, we realize that independence and confidence in women are not borrowed from the city...they have always been there. Women in these regions move freely, trade, and manage money with dignity and ease.  So, who decided the protocols of what women should or should not do? This happens when we try to impose one common rule across all regions. Someone once said, “wear a blouse,” another said, “a knee-length skirt is not cultured,” or “always cover your head with a palla.” These may have contextual relevance in certain places, but they cannot—and should not—be applied universally.  The same problem exists for men too. Why must every executive wear a coat and tie? Why is denim considered the only option for the youth—even when the temperature crosses 40 degrees?  Take the saree, for example. We have countless drapes: one for working in the fields, another for the rainy season, yet another for festive occasions. Today, however, most women wear it in a standardized style. But the true beauty of the saree lies in draping it according to one’s comfort, activity, and local climate. Travel through the tribal regions of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, or Odisha, and you will find women wearing sarees above the knee, carrying them gracefully and comfortably.  It’s time we embrace this simple truth: wear what makes you comfortable, and celebrate your identity, not what fashion or celebrity dictates.  #fashionlover #triballove #gaatha #womenstyle #gaathahandicrafts #indialove
They grow bamboo, process it by hand, and transfor They grow bamboo, process it by hand, and transform it into beautiful decorative pieces—an effort to save our planet from plastic, one décor item at a time. And what can we do? Simply support their consciousness. This festive season, bring home Indian-made, eco-friendly décor products that can be reused and cherished many times over.
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#festivevibes #homestyling #womenempowerment #gaatha #bamboocraft #ecofriendly #notoplastic
Many names—Chaval, Bhat, Dhan, Arisi, Chokha, Ar Many names—Chaval, Bhat, Dhan, Arisi, Chokha, Ari, or simply rice, yet one venerable grain. Perhaps the oldest cultivated crop, rice is not just food; it is memory, culture, and devotion woven seamlessly into our everyday lives.  It lingers in our muscle memory...you may travel far, but soon the craving begins. Suddenly, you find yourself dreaming of a steaming bowl of rice paired with familiar local gravy. A comfort so simple, yet so irreplaceable.  When did we begin growing rice? No one truly knows. Its origin stretches back into antiquity, with references scattered across the Vedas, Upanishads, and epic stories. Rice appears again and again, not merely as sustenance but as sacred offering. It is given to gods, village deities, ancestors, Brahmans, and the needy, shaping countless rituals and ceremonies across time.  The forms of offering are as diverse as life itself: unhusked paddy, pure white unbroken grains, turmeric-tinged yellow rice, sun-dried, cooked, fried, puffed, popped, powdered, or even brewed into beverages. Each form carries its own meaning, its own blessing, rooted in the faith of the people.  So precious is this grain that we personify it as Dhanya-Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and sustenance. With rice comes abundance, with abundance comes life. Perhaps that is why rice has always been seen as the most sacred of offerings, a symbol of gratitude for nourishment that carries us through every season, every day.  And sometimes, reverence goes even further, tiny grains of dhan are strung together or shaped into divine images. From seed to deity, rice embodies the cycle of life itself, reminding us that even the smallest grain holds the power of the sacred.
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https://shop.gaatha.com/buy-dhan-crafts-odisha
The significance of craft in Amarchinta goes far b The significance of craft in Amarchinta goes far beyond function, it becomes memory, identity, and even quiet resistance. In a region with limited access to external markets or institutional recognition, the very endurance of its craft traditions speaks of resilience: the strength to keep creating, even when there is no stage to display the work.  The Padmashalis, the third-largest community in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, have weaving as their primary occupation. In most households, men and women work together, both contributing to the family income. A small loom setup in the main living room is often enough to sustain their livelihood. This way, men do not have to leave home for work, and life remains simple, safe, and centered around the craft. These families continue to carry forward the skills inherited from their ancestors, producing sarees with intricate and complex designs.
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Read more - https://gaatha.org/Craft-of-India/saree-weaving-amarchinta/  #craftdocumentation #gaatha #handloomsaree
Some things never go out of style — like gold, o Some things never go out of style — like gold, or the grace of a well-woven saree. These silk Maheshwari sarees, light as air and finished with subtle zari shine, are designed to keep you glowing with timeless elegance. 
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https://shop.gaatha.com/shop-silk-maheshwari-saree-online
It’s fascinating how our sense of beauty and aes It’s fascinating how our sense of beauty and aesthetics evolves with our surroundings. In tribal regions, it is rare to see people with large tummies...so how could their imagination of Ganeshji carry one? We searched for a Ganesh with a truly big belly but couldn’t find him. Perhaps the round-bellied Ganesh belongs more naturally to an urban landscape, while for the tribals he felt a little out of place.  That’s the beauty of our culture, every region, every community carries the freedom to imagine divinity in its own way.  Today, in the age of AI, imagination is shifting once again. We see gods with six-packs and broad biceps. Mythological TV shows reflect the same trend. Yet if we look back at ancient texts, paintings, or sculptures, we rarely, if ever, find a god with such features. So where is this influence coming from? Perhaps even gods are not beyond the reach of influencers…  Wishing you a divine and thoughtful Ganesh Chaturthi.  #ganeshchaturthi #influence #indialove #gaatha #indianculture #ganesha #diversity #mythology #gaathahandicrafts
Imperfection is beauty, shaping an aesthetic that Imperfection is beauty, shaping an aesthetic that can’t be copied.
Handmade with glass beads and embroidery, this necklace is perfect for any occasion.
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#beadjewelry #tribaljewelry #imperfection #gaatha #triballove #gaathahandicrafts #nacklace #beadart #beadnacklace #uniquejewelry
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