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The craftsperson's
of Khurja
in Uttar Peadesh have evolved a style of their own by raising the pattern
with the use of thick slips into a light relief. Glazes in warm shades of
autumnal colours like orange, brown, and light red have also been developed
by them. Floral design in sky-blue are worked against a white background. A
type of pitcher like a pilgrim’s bottle, decorated in relief by a thick
slip is a specialty of Khurja.
Rampur
surahis (water pots) are noted for their uniform green- blue glazes with
plain surfaces, the base being prepared from red clay. Excellent water
containers are made in
Meerut
and Hapur which stand out with their striking designs of flowing lines and
floral patterns, often capped by wired shaped spouts.
A very special kind of
earthenware peculiar to Nizamabad in Azamgarh district is distinguished by
its dark lustrous body. This sheen is obtained by dipping it into a solution
of clay and vegetable matter, dried, then rubbed with a vegetable oil, and
fired. Scintillating silver ornamentation is done by incising the pattern on
the surface after baking and rubbing in mercury and tin.
Alwar, Jaipur and Bikaner
of Rajasthan are famed for these products. Kangra in Himachal is rich in
clay wares all through the valley while Khanapur, in
Belgaum
district of Karnataka is noted for its large sized containers and jars.
Kutch and Saurashtra in
Gujarat
are known for their beautiful earthen ware.
TERRACOTTA
Literally meaning baked
earth, Indian baked ware of the southern region like large size containers,
jars, stools, dresses, tiles etc have a traditional stamp on them.
POTTERY (CERAMICS)
Beautiful pottery and other
ware made of ceramics, is also one or
India
’s famous buys of the states of Rajasthan, It is
produced in intriguing white-glazed colour with hand-painted
blue-flower designs.
IDEAL PLACE TO SHOP
Uttar
Pradesh,
Gujarat
, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Tamil Nadu.
STONE CRAFT & MARBLE
INLAY WORK
It’s amazing how odd
blocks of stone are cut, shaped, inlaid and polished into beautiful objects
of everyday use by the skilful ctaftspersons of
India
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| Hamirpur district in Uttar
Pradesh has nutured a sizeable stone carving industry with its rich deposits
of beautiful soft stone. The stone is many coloured with the predominance of
a lovely red shade. Marble is also used, especially for making statues.
In
Varanasi
the work is done by a community called raidas. The range of items include
tableware, plates, glasses, bowls, food containers, candle stands, etc. |
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Agra
is world famous for its superb inlay work in marble, drawing inspiration
from the Taj Mahal. The designs are either foliage or floral intertwined
with geometrical patterns. Models in marble of the Taj, vases, boxes, lamps,
plates, bowl and pitchers in delicately moulded shapes
& fine carvings are some of the popular items produced here.
Intricate friezes and trellis or jail work done in an eye-catching range of
pattern is also a speciality of this places.
Vrindavan near
Mathura
has marble as well as alabaster products. Some objects are embossed with
semiprecious stone or synthetic gems.
A dark brown stone with
yellow spots and lines called sange-rathek is found in
Jhansi
and its neighbour hood from which lampshades, incense stick stands, small
medicine grinders are made.
Midapur in
West Bengal
is an important traditional region for stoneware and the main centre
is Simulpur.
Bihar
’s very ancient tradition in stone carving is proved by the magnificent
sculpture of the Mauryan period. Tamil Nadu has a great tradition in stone
carving of icons of classical excellence and Rajasthan may be called the
land of marble with its stones in various colours and textures.
IDEAL PLACE TO SHOP
Rajasthan, West Bengal,
Tamil Nadu,
Bihar
and Uttar Pradesh
So go ahead, shop to your
heart’s delight and take home an exquisite, piece made in
India , just for you.
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