Deep Dive Into Rajasthan's Best Indian Handicrafts

India has always been the land of tradition and culture. A land that was once known as a “golden bird.” A land that is intensely blessed with amazing beauty and natural resources. A land of diversity and variety. And a land known for its rich legacy of creating beautiful handicrafts.

According to some researchers, the history of handicrafts has found its roots around 5000 BC, but the handicraft artifacts that have been discovered till now are dated back to 3000 BC, i.e., around the Indus Valley Civilization. India is where handicraft originated, and since then, till now handicraft has become a part of our Indian tradition.

In ancient times, handicraft items were a part of our ancestors' lives, but in recent times, millennials have forgotten the importance of handicraft items, and they have become a piece of gifting items. And Rudhigat is here to give back the handicraft items of their lost importance by providing our customers with a huge variety of handicraft items like block-printed clothes, wooden carved artifacts, blue pottery items, etc. and making them familiar with our lost Indian culture.

What is Handicraft?

The word Handicraft is very self-explanatory. Artifacts that skilled artisans craft with the help of hand tools from completely eco-friendly and sustainable natural materials are known as Handicrafts.

In India, more than 3000 types of handicraft items are being produced to continue the handicraft legacy. Which has made India the central hub of the majority of handicraft productions. The Indian handicraft industry is so large that it provides abundant job opportunities in rural areas.

Tourist Magnet - Indian Handicraft

India has always been a great tourist attraction because of its culture, landmarks, amazing temples, etc. But in this list, handicraft is also a major tourist magnet attracting millions of tourists to our country annually.

Every Indian state is popular for its handicraft style and type. Kashmir for Pashmina shawls, Gujarat for Bandhani Sarees, Andhra Pradesh for Kondapalli toys, Maharashtra for Warli Paintings, Karnataka for Mysore paintings and sandalwood crafts, etc. This is like a never-ending list because every Indian state has different forms of handicraft specialties. 

Out of all the Indian states, Rajasthan is the most popular one for its wide range of different types of handicraft items. From Meenakari to blue pottery, fabric block printing to miniature painting, wooden carved items to marble and metal handcrafting. Rajasthan has it all. 

Being a specialist in the widest range of handicraft types, Rajasthan has been the perfect tourist magnet for several decades. The list of handicraft items found in Rajasthan is not limited to this much. 

Rajasthan’s handicraft industry is so widespread that you will find a huge number of handicraft shops with handmade antiques, blue pottery products, carpets, block-printed fabrics, marble and wood carvings, gemstone jewelry, paintings, puppets and much more. Western tourists adore all these beautiful handicraft items.

Rajasthan’s Best Indian Handicrafts

1. Wooden Carving

Making ornamental wooden items using wood carving is one of the oldest arts. It involves hand-decorating wood with a sharp object. Blocking, surface, and smoothing are some techniques used in wood carving. 

The instruments could be chisels, v-tools, and other carving instruments. Different wooden figures, idols, and even ornaments are carved from wood. Wood carving art has been used to create sculptures on a massive scale.

2. Blue pottery

Traditional Jaipuri craftwork includes blue ceramics. The art can be attributed to Turko-Persian origins when the fabled Turks arrived in India in the 14th century to conquer the nation. 

Originally, artisans used the craft of making blue pottery to create tiles for mosques, palaces, and tombs throughout Asia. However, after the arrival of the Mughals, this trade flourished in India. 

According to legend, blue pottery first appeared in the nation in the 19th century when Sawai Ram Singh 2, the country's reigning monarch at the time, was so enamored with the art form that he insisted all of his artisans study the process.

3. Brass Work

Rajasthan's lacquering, and brass engraving capital is Jaipur. The glossy surface of the pots, plates, boxes, etc., is embossed with lovely patterns. As well as Koftagiri, the practice of encrusting one metal with another is well-recognized for bronze sculptures.

4. Block Printing

In Rajasthan, bagru block printing is practiced a lot. The block printing procedure is laborious and intricate. The building of the blocks takes 10 to 15 days and requires much love and care. Blocks are carved by hand into a variety of elaborate designs utilizing wood, such as teak, as the primary material. 

Those designs are initially drawn with chalk paste or a pencil on paper. Once the design has been etched onto the surface, the blocks are steeped in oil for 10 to 15 days to soften the hardwood.

The prepared blocks are colored and then applied to the fabric by being pressed. Up until the pattern is finished running the length and width of the fabric, this technique is repeated. To ensure that there are no streaks or breaks in the motifs or throughout the finished design, the craftspeople must demonstrate precision. Different blocks are used to create different designs or colors. Once the initially printed surface has dried, it can be used.

5. Marble Handicraft

Marble handicraft has been loved and cherished by us all around the world. The white pearl-like finish that the marble possesses makes us fall in love with it no matter how often we look at it.

In India, Rajasthan is the largest marble manufacturing state. Since the Rajputana reign, marble has been adored not only by Indians but by western people also. During the ruling era of the Rajput kings, the marble handicraft industry flourished at its best, and these rulers took the marble artifacts overseas as a gift for western rulers.

Marble carving is not an easy task. Highly skilled artists can only perform marble carving with years of experience in this field. Once the artifact is ready, every detailed carving will surely leave you awestruck.

Ending Note from Rudhigat

The list of handicraft items at Rudhigat is not limited to these 5 handicrafts. At Rudhigat, you will find metalwork, crystal work, different styles of paintings, handicraft furniture, and so much more.

The detailing and focus a handicraft item asks for completion is unparalleled. Handicraft items might seem expensive to many of us, but one must not forget that skilled hands achieve every inch of detail and not artificial hands. It is the hard work of the laborers that give their 100% in order to give us the perfect and amazing finish we crave for.