In the realm of traditional crafts, Usta Kaam stands out as a splendid and intricate art form that has withstood the test of time. Rooted in history and adorned with exquisite details, Usta Kaam is a craft that showcases the mastery of skilled artisans. In this blog, we’ll delve into the captivating process and rich…
Indigo – which is a historic colour, holds a significant place in Indian history and tradition. As Georg Stark, a contemporary textile artist, aptly stated, “The origin of taste, of fabric printing is India.” The name “Indigo” itself, which means ‘the Indian’ or ‘from India,’ – highlights its deep-rooted association with our country. India was…
The classical, ornate and lavish style of painting from the town of Tanjore (also known as Thanjavur) in Tamil Nadu, is today eponymously called as Tanjore Painting or Tanjore Art. While the tradition of Tanjore art goes back to the early 17th century and was used as an object of worship in temples and homes,…
The traditional art of Kalamkari uses vegetable dyes as colours and utilises unique pens made from the bamboo tree to paint by hand on cotton or silk fabric. The Persian term “Kalamkari,” in which “Kalam” means pen and ‘Kari’ means workmanship, encapsulates the origin of the word “Kalamkari. This craft requires 23 time-consuming procedures, including…
Pattachitra style of painting is one of the oldest and most popular art forms practiced majorly in Odisha and West Bengal. The name Pattachitra has evolved from the Sanskrit word ‘patta’, meaning cloth, and ‘chitra’, meaning picture. This art form is believed to have originated as early as the 12th century and is one of…
In Gujarat, the Mother Goddess is worshipped by her “pujaks” or worshippers for her blessings – including members of the Vaghri community. Due to caste restrictions earlier, they were not allowed to enter temples, so they painted images of the goddess on fabric hangings – which were displayed during ceremonies and later put away when not…
Thewa is a craft form practiced by a small number of artisans who work to fuse filigreed gold sheets onto glass. This hereditary craft is practiced by artisans in the towns of Pratapgarh in Rajasthan and Rampura in Madhya Pradesh. Even today – these master craftsmen use red, green, or blue glass as a base…
Understanding Pichwai & its Origins Pichwai ( Pichhvai ) is a form of art that originated over 400 years ago in the temple town of Nathdwara near Udaipur in Rajasthan. The term “Pichwai” has come about because these artworks are hung literally “piche” or behind the temple deity and “wai” literally means a textile hanging….
