Art and Crafts of Rajasthan

Art and Craft of Rajasthan is as rich and glorious as its past. Punctuating the roughness of the landscape, art and craft of Rajasthan has earned world wide recognition making the state proud of it. Have a look at the art and craft of the state and you will be delighted with the colorfulness of the princely state. The Rajasthani craftsmen are famous for the depth of expertise in their work.

The handicrafts and arts of the land ooze plenty of exuberance and beauty in their style. They also play an important part in earning revenue for the state. The Rajasthani artists are undoubtedly versatile and this clearly manifests in their paintings which are made on a number of interesting backgrounds such as canvas, paper, ivory, walls, and ceilings.

The paintings are mainly in two styles; Phads which are scroll-like paintings painted on a huge canvas with bright colors depicting various themes. The second style is Pichwais which are decorative curtain cloths used as a background for religious images in a place of worship. In this style block print, embroidery or gold thread work may be used.

Delicately carved sculptures are conspicuous in the palaces, havelis, forts, and temples of the state. The beauty of sculptures can be seen on architecture or as stand-alone work. The highly skilled artists turn stone into Ornamental Pillars, Marble Statues, Fountains, Window, Gates of Buildings, Lamps, Stone Benches, Chairs, Tables, Planters, And Stone Gifts.

Blue Pottery is shaped out of crushed quartz, fuller's earth and sodium sulphite and hardened and dried in kilns at high temperature. Blue pottery is hand painting made on a wide range of products like tiles, vases, mugs, bowls, pots, urns and doorknobs. The most common color in this pottery is blue but recently yellow and pink have also been introduced. Blue pottery work originated in Persia and was introduced in Rajasthan by Maharaja Ram Singhji for the first time. Jaipur is famous for this art type.

Furniture: The flavor of furniture available in Rajasthan can make your home look like the abode of a Maharaja. Meticulously designed chairs, beds, cradles and low tables and stools are attention catching.

Jewelry: Lapiz lazuli, onyx, cat's eye, garnets, amethysts and topaz; you name any gemstone and the bazaars of Rajasthan have it. If you prefer, you can choose from the artificial ones or can even buy some stunning silver or lacquer jewelry. The traditional jewelry of Rajasthan can really make you feel like a queen. A diverse array of designs to suit all tastes are available here and each region of Rajasthan has a distinct style.

Fabrics: Rajasthani craftsmen have perfected the art of tie and dye and block printing long time back and their work is liked by people all over the world. The dyes are fast and the fabric is durable. Mostly vegetable and mineral dyes are used, making these materials environment-friendly. Fabrics in these styles are available for both home furnishing and for personal wear.

Leather ware: Animal skins are used in the best possible ways to make leather articles like colourful jooties (foot wear), bags, pouches, belts and other accessories. Women are equally involved in the entire manufacturing and designing process. Some of the articles are embroidered and others are adorned with patches.

Metal Crafts: The metal wares available here range from table tops to wall plates, flasks, boxes, trays and statues of Krishna, Ganesh, and decorative birds, horses and elephants. The metalcraft of Rajasthan is exported all over the world for its fine craftsmanship and usage of colour.

Puppets: Walk around the bazaars of Rajasthan and you are bound to get attracted by a wide variety of puppets on display. The most attractive things about them are their loud expressions and colorful dresses. Buy some for your children and cherish their delight.

Terracotta: Terracotta pots (not having a shiny coating) are black in color and still used by the villagers for cooking and storage. These are also used for decorating the gardens.

Rajasthan carpets and Durries: The artists use Persian designs in their carpets incorporating scenes from Persian poetry that are woven beautifully. The theme may be romance or thrill. Durries (rugs) are colorful, durable and available in different sizes.

The art and craft of Rajasthan has truly occupied a prized place in the hearts of the people worldwide. They are exported everywhere and make excellent souvenirs and mementos of your visit to Rajasthan.