Art and Crafts of Rajasthan

Art and crafts of Rajasthan are famous worldwide. Rajasthan is culturally rich and has extensive tradition in art and crafts, which reflects Indian lifestyle. History of Rajasthan shows that the maharajas and their nobles were the main patrons of arts and crafts. They also encouraged their craftsmen activities ranging from wood and marble, carving to weaving, pottery and painting. Sometimes artisans were sent for training and sometimes experts were invited to their princely states. This desire to decorate their surroundings was very strong and nothing was overlooked from their cattle that included cows, camels, donkeys, goats to the regal elephant and from their simple mud huts to the great palaces and the inner chamber of forbidding forts, they were all decorated with passion. Even women spent more time on decorative items like tie and die fabrics, embroidered garments, enamel jewellery, leather jooties etc. The Rajasthan rulers encouraged the artisans to set up their schools for the prorogation of their crafts. Some of the popular crafts are as under:-

Meenakari: Meenakari usually decorate precious jewellery or small ornamental figures. Raja Man Singh of Amber brought this intricate craft to Jaipur by inviting five skilled enamel workers from Lahore and established a tradition of fine enamel work that continues in Jaipur to this day. Gold and silver both can be used as a base for meenakari.

Jewellery: The jewellary available in Rajasthan is among the best in the country because the Maharajas of Rajasthan loved to adorn themselves in precious jewellery. There is a lot of variety due to the fact that each area has its own unique styles.

Woodwork: Shekhawati is an important centre for woodcarving. Woodcarver's work can be seen in the doors and windows frame. They also produced Pidas-low folding chairs. Bikaner is also an important centre for woodwork and known for its ornately carved doors and jalis (screen-window). The head of puppets also carved from wood and then painted with the requisite expression.

Pottery: Different regions of Rajasthan produces different types of pottery, the most famous pottery is the blue pottery of Jaipur. This blue pottery originated in China and later passed to Persia from where it was introduced in India. This blue work was first evident on tiles and later this technique was applied to pottery. A wide range of items is available including bowls, plates, tiles, mugs, door knob and ashtrays. Most regions of Rajasthan have their own resident potter, who not only produces domestic vessels, but is required to produces clay images of the deities for ceremonial purposes. The most striking of these sacred images are produced in the village of Malela, north of Udaipur. Here potter work with terracotta formed from clay and donkey's dung continuing a tradition that dates back to the Harappan era.

Lac and Glass: Lac bangles come in very bright colours and other than bangles, there is a wide range of decorative and functional items available.

Textile: A wide range of textiles from hand block printing, tie and dye, embroidery, gota and zari work is available throughout the state. Jaipur, Barmer and Bikaner are well known for their beautiful carpets and rugs, which available in different colour and design. Tie and die method known as Bandhej in Rajasthan.

Stone: Religious themes are carved in stone all over the Rajasthan. Stone carving is the main crafts in Rajasthan. Kishangarh is the main centre in Rajasthan for stone carving.

Other crafts practiced in Rajasthan include Khari (embossed printing using gold and silver), engraving and lacquering brassware and embroidering camel skin.