EMPHASIZING THE ETHNICITY OF LAND OF KING'S - RAJASTHAN

Kesariya Balam Aaonee

Padharonee Mhare Desh Rey, Padharonee Mhare Desh!!

You all must be familiar with this song. As this is the famous folk song. This famous song was sung by Allah Jilai Bai in the Darbar of Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji. This song is about the welcome of the Rajput warriors on their return to home after fighting wars.

But, nowadays this song is being used to invite everyone to come and visit  Rajasthan. "Rajasthan" also known as the Land Of Kings is India's largest state by area. It has a rich and varied flora and fauna, it is the home for many wildlife also.

It is famous for its food, dresses,marvelous architecture, forts, dance and unique handicrafts. The royalty of the state is present in every bit and corner of its art and craft. So, let's take a small trip and find out some of the unique handicrafts.

1. Ivory Crafting

Ivory craft is not new in India, it has been around 4000years. Rajasthan for long has been the centre for ivory carving. The historic ivory carving and decorations in Rajasthan can be seen in the havelis and palaces in the state. Ivory items are carved from elephant tusks. It is a very soft material making it ideal for carving into different designs and shapes. Apart from intricate carving, artists also specialize in designing the surface with floral patterns or images of plants and animals and various geometrical patterns. It is considered to be an auspicious ornament. In tribal areas, married women are supposed to wear ivory bangles. The bangles are beautified with colour, patterns, glass beads. Ivory is also used for making pendants, earrings, finger rings, brooches etc. 

2.Meenakari Jewellery 

Meenakari is a popular art of embellishing the metal surfaces with beautiful colours that enhance the overall look of the designs. This art form was highly acknowledged by both the Mughals as well as the Hindus of Rajasthan who really liked the touch of Meenakari in Jewellery and other precious items. It is a unique kind of art that requires expertise and only done in Rajasthan as well as northern part of India. Enamelling a metal is known as Meenakari and only expertise artists can do it. It consists of the precious stones which are added to the metal surface and later enamelled through gold. The design includes the pattern of fish, flower or a bird. An ornament with both kundan and meenakari is astoundingly magnificent.

3. Silver Jewellery

Traditionally, jewellery in Rajasthan has served as a treasure trove of wealth. The village women in Rajasthan are togged up from head to toe in hefty silver ornaments which they never remove. The various kinds of ornaments that they adorn are Maang tikka, nosepin attached with a chain, jhumkis, choker, bangles, girdle, anklets and finally toe rings. In Jaipur, you'll find silver jewellery makers. Ornate tribal designs, geometric patterns and filigree work are much in demand.  A relatively new addition to the repository is silver studded with semi-precious stones. You can also find little silver boxes, containers, glasses, plates, bowls, pens, hand mirrors and many more. 

4. Jaipur Blue Pottery

Blue pottery is although an age-old craft and its root are from Turkey. It has been named so due to the predominant use of blue glaze painting technique. The designs mainly consist of animal and bird motifs, arabesque patterns, in mesmerising shades of blues. The raw material used mainly comprises a mixture of quartz stone powder, glass powder, Fuller's Earth, borax, gum and water. No clay is used hence it is extremely delicate. This pottery was mainly used in historical architecture, in the form of blue glazed tiles in mosques and tombs. In modern days the market sells souvenirs such as tea sets, plates, trays, lampshades, trinkets, coasters etc. 

5. Leatherware

In Rajasthan, jootis, bags, pouches, sandals are not only made with animal skin but also the back of the chairs are embroidered with woollen motifs. The leather is also used for bookbinding and Alwar is well reputed for this craft. The leather is beaten, tanned, dyed and then patterns are made on it by punching it. Then it is studded and sequined for effect, embroidered and stitched to create the special jootis. Embroidery known as kashida is done in jootis which make them a style statement.

6. Miniature Paintings 

The art of miniature painting was introduced to the land of India by the Mughals, who brought the much-revealed art form from Persia. They are a quaint mixture of Mughal and indigenous Indian styles. The Indian styles date back to Jain manuscripts. These manuscripts are inscribed on palm leaves and are illustrated with stylized miniatures and elements. These paintings are done with care and in minute details with lines and bold colours. The artist use paper, ivory panels, wooden tablets, leather, marble, cloth and walls for their paintings. The colours are made from minerals, vegetables as well as pure silver and gold also. 

7. Stone Carving

The Forts, palaces and beautiful havelis of Rajasthan all of them are superb examples of exquisite mason work. The fine stone carving and fragile jali work in stone are very typical of this area. Special stones found here are sandstone, yellow limestone, coloured and white marble. White marble statues of deities are considered to be a speciality of Jaipur. The sandstone carvings and ornamental stonework at the Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort gateways.The men who transform stone into poetry, also fashion animals, human figures and  plain geometric forms apart from gods and goddesses.

8. Bandhani Or Tie and Dye

The tie and dye textile work of Rajasthan is among the oldest traditions of the state that is still in practice. These fabrics are quite colourful and come in various colour combinations. Tourists visiting Rajasthan make it a point to buy these tie and dye fabrics, as a souvenir of their visit. The work involves tying and dyeing of fabrics. The work is available in different materials such as cotton, silk, chiffon, georgette, satin, etc. There are various patterns of tie and dye work such as leheriya and bandhni.  The 'Leheriya' tie and dye is in a wave or ripple pattern, representing waves of the sea, using two colour patterns. Leheriya materials are available for odhnis, turbans, saris, dress materials, etc. Another tie and dye is ‘Bandhni’ or ‘Bandhej’. The patterns are usually floral or geometric, and the base of the fabric is mostly dark coloured like any shade of red, brown, black, green or blue. Others include ‘Mothra’, which is in a checked pattern, with opposite diagonal lines running across the cloth.

9. Embroidery

Gota patti or gota work is a type of Indian embroidery that originated in Rajasthan, India. It uses the applique technique. Small pieces of zari ribbon are applied onto the fabric with the edges sewn down to create elaborate patterns. Gota embroidery is used extensively in South Asian wedding and formal clothes. Attractive patterns and each motif has its own distinguishing name. The motifs are usually inspired by nature and may consist of flowers, leaves and birds or animals such as peacocks, parrots and elephants. Gota creates a rich and heavy look but is light to wear. In Rajasthan, outfits with gota work are worn at auspicious functions. It is generally done on dupattas, turban edges and ghagras.

10. Puppets

Kathputli is a string puppet theatre, native to Rajasthan and is the most popular form of Indian puppetry. Being a string marionette it is controlled by a single string that passes from the top of the puppet over the puppeteers. Kathputli is a join of two rajasthani language words Kath meaning wood and Putli meaning a doll which has no life. Kathputli means a puppet which is made entirely from wood. Painted wooden heads, hands made simply by stuffing rags or cotton into the sleeve of the dress, with painted expressions, arched eyebrows, mustache for men and nose ring for women and large expressive eyes on their face, puppets are draped with dresses made from sequined old fabrics. They are extremely popular as inexpensive mementos among the tourists.

Every household item in Rajasthan proves the statement false as we go through their embellished utensils, colorful attires, unique jewellery designs and embroidered shoes that infuse a new life and a cheerful look to the otherwise monotone of the desert sands. 

As i have been to Rajasthan i cannot resist myself to showcase one of my personal favourite craft of the place.

This embroidered umbrella isn't breathtaking and a marvellous artisans work. 

Hurry up!! Go get your bags packed and make a long trip to the Land of kings.. And dont forget to get an extra bag to get these beautiful handicrafts for yourself.

THE PARADISE ON EARTH - IS IT'S EMINENCE PORTRAYED THROUGH ITS ANCESTRAL ARTISTRY?

"Gar Firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hami asto, hami asto, hami ast".

"If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here."

(English Translation)

This is a couplet by the Persian-language poet Amir Khusrau. The culture of Jammu and Kashmir is a diverse blend and highly influenced by Northern South Asian and Persian as well as Central Asian culture. Along with its diverse scenic beauty, it is also famous for its rich cultural heritage. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh each have their own distinct culture. 

The splendid work of art and culture in Jammu and Kashmir makes it famous all over the world. kashmiri art and craft are admired for its papier mache, woodwork, silkware, jewellery, basketry, shawls, embroidery, carpets and the list goes on. let's go and check some of them:-

1. Embroidery

The typical Kashmiri embroidery is known as Kashida and is famous all over the world. The purest essence and forms of nature like birds, leaves, trees and many such natural motifs are replicated with multicoloured threads and beads. Single stitch style is considered to be the signature style of Kashida embroidery. Besides, there are many other stitches like satin stitch, herringbone, stem stitch, chain stitch, knot stitch and many more. This embroidery is witnessed in silk sarees, jackets, shawls, cushion covers, bags and many more.

2. Pashmina Shawls

Pashmina is a fine type of Kashmiri wool. The fleecy wool is obtained from the Kel goat and is used for making the Pashmina Shawls in Kashmir. They are very famous, even at the international levels and are locally called "ring shawls". This is because they are so delicate and elegant, that they can easily pass from a ring itself. A high value and elegant shawl have design and motifs, equally embellished on both the sides.

3. Papier Mache

No matter how similar the papier mache articles look at look at the first glance, they have their own differences and originality. This is a handicraft of Kashmir that was brought by Muslims from Persian in the 15th century. It is based primarily on paper pulp and is richly decorated, colourful artifact. Three grades of paper are used for its designing. In the process of making it, the paper is soaked in water till the time it disintegrates. Then an adhesive solution is used to mix it over, eventually moulding it into different shapes which are later coloured and vanished. Vases, bowls, cups, boxes, trays bases of lamps and many other small objects are made out of it.

4. Wood Carving

Another interesting part of Kashmiri handicraft is the wood carving. Complex wood carvings were done on houseboats. It is not very expensive in nature but one can always find ivory incorporated in the design. The price of the items made from the walnut wood depends on the number of carvings artistry did on the object. walnut wood is kind of softwood therefore used by the artists to carve out chinar leaves, flowers and vine leaves which can be used to carved only on borders or carved on full surfaces. They can be used to make a variety of items which include salad bowls, nut bowls, trays, photo frames and big pieces of furniture also.   

5. Basket Weaving

Willow Wicker Craft locally referred to as keani keam, is a hand skilled craft from Kashmir involving weaving using willow reeds and is also widely practised here. Willow wood is most commonly used, and one of the most distinctive products of this craft. This is an indigenous business industry of the valley. While products from other crafts are mostly used for decorative purposes.

6. Carpet Weaving

The origin of hand-knotted carpets locally known as "Kal baffi" dates back to the 15th century. One of the most expensive and world-renowned arts of Kashmir. Originally, the art of making carpets started from Samarkand in Central Asia. Carpets from Kashmir are made of wool and even silk, are available in a large number of variables. Designs and patterns in Kashmir carpets continue to be predominantly inspired by classical Persian and Central- Asia Rugs.

7. Pherans

It is a kind of garment that is a part of Kashmiri way of life and it is worn between a coat and a cloak. The traditional outfit for both males and females in Kashmir is the pheran and poots. the pheran and poots consist of two gowns, one over the other. The traditional phiran extends to the feet which were popular in the late 19th century. The modern variation of the phiran and poots extends below the knees. In summers they are made up of cotton but in winter it is made up of wool to protect the body from cold.

So, what are you waiting for? 

If you are an art admirer, just explore the rich art and craft of Jammu and Kashmir. Not only you will enjoy the scenic beauty of nature but also you can bring back all the souvenirs along with you which will make your trip memorable last long.