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

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
16309 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
14698 Views
07Feb
Tale

Kutch…Rabari Embroidery

As the type of embroidery on the garment clearly distinguishes the person’s identity, the different communities of Rabaris can be identified from the type and placement of embroidery on their odhanis (veils for head and shoulders)
3 mins read
25322 Views
18Jan
Tale

The Story of Kathputli

Kathputli craft is an ancient and one of the most popular performing arts of Rajasthan, a state in western India. The word “kathputli” derives from “kaath” or wood and “putli” or toy.
3 mins read
33281 Views
08Jan
Tale

Kaavad / Kavad

Kaavad is a rich, oral tradition of storytelling in Rajasthan, believed to be 4oo years old. Kaavad is also the name of the medium used for this kind of storytelling;
2 mins read
14806 Views