Bankura Horse

Bankura Horses Are Counted Amongst The Most Famous Crafts Of West Bengal. They Are Used For Decorative As Well As Religious Purposes. These Attractive Horses, Made From Terracotta, Can Add Class To Any Bengali Living Room. In Fact, You Will Generally Find A Pair Of Terracotta Horses In At Least One Corner Of Most Of The Bengali Homes. They Not Only Adorn The Ambience But Also Stand As A Symbolic Representation Of Artistic Skills And Craftsmanship Of West Bengal. Interestingly, On The Packets Of Most Of The Indian Indian Handicrafts Exported Abroad, You Will Find The Logo Of The Famous Bankura Horse.

The Tradition Of The Use Of Bankura Horses For Religious Purposes In Bengal Is Very Old. It Is Said That The Potters Of Panchmura, A City 16 Miles Away From Bishnupur (in Bankura District), Started Making The Famous Bankura Horses, A Long Time Back. Symbolically Related To The Sun God, The Local God Of Bankura, They Are Regarded As The Holy Horses Used In The Chariot Of God Dharmaraj, A Form Of Sun God Worshipped In Bankura. This Is The Reason Why The Presence Of Bankura Horses In A Home Is Thought To Be Auspicious.

Bankura Horse Is Made Using The Traditional Terracotta Method. The Tools Used For Shaping Them Are Made Up Of Bamboo And Stones. The Body Parts Of The Horse Are Created Separately. The Four Legs, The Neck - Comprising Of Two Separate Parts And The Face - Made Up Of Seven Different Pieces, All Are Made Individually. The Ears And Tails Of The Horse, Also Made Discretely, Are Superficially Attached To The Other Body Parts, With Clay Paste, And Smoothened To Give Finishing. Thereafter, They Are Dried In The Sun, Coloured And Burnt In A Kiln.

Bankura Horses Are About 6 Inches To 4 Feet In Height. They Have Exceptionally Erect Neck And Ears And Look Dynamic With Their Wide Jaws. The Eyebrows Sketched On The Forehead Of The Horses Are Decorated With Chandmala, Making Them Look More Interesting. Due To Their Growing Popularity, The Modern Form Of Bankura Horses Has Come Up In Dokra And Wooden Forms. Apart From Bishnupur, You Can Also Get These Unique Horses In Biboda, Kamardiha, Jaikrishnapur, Nakaijuri And Keyaboti Cities Of West Bengal.

Shantiniketan’s Handbags

The Shantiniketan Region In West Bengal Is Famous For Its Beautifully Handcrafted Leather Handbags & Other Accessories. These Accessories Are Available In A Wide Range Of Colours, Patterns & Sizes With Conventional Motifs, Shantiniketan Handmade Bags Displays The Rich Cultural Background Of India. It Is The Best Example Of Superior Workmanship Of The Local Craftsmen.
The Shantiniketan Craft Employs The Cutting, Polishing & Embossing Of Leather By Hand Painting And It Was Introduced In West Bengal During The 1940s. It Derives Its Name From The Place Where It Was First Introduced Shantiniketan And Was Spread By Shri Rabindra Nath Tagore Who Revived A Number Of Crafts That Was On The Verge Of Losing Its Usefulness In Shantiniketan.
Kavi Guru Rabindra Nath Tagore And His Wife, Specialist Craftsmen Came Together To Revive Leather Bag Creating It An Innovative Manner. Shantiniketan Leather Craft Uses Embossed Batik Work And Traditional Patterns And Is Very Divergent From The Usual Leather Bags. After The Final Outcome Of The Leather Piece Is Made, It Is Then Stitched Into The Desired Product Coated With A Lacquer Finish For Making The Product Shiny And Long Lasting.
Today Shantiniketan Industry Is A Very Successful And It Is Manufactured In 24 Parganas & West Bengal. The Shantiniketan Style Evolved As A Result Of The Art Movement & These Products Have Now Become World Famous For Their Applique, Batik & EmbossedCraft Work.
The Raw Materials Needed For Making These Wondrous Leather Bags Is Leather (vegetable Tanned), Pcp Free Chemical And Vegetable-Based Pigment Colours. The Process Of Giving The Leather A Smooth Is Similar To What Italians Do. The Process Of Burnishing The Leather Gives It An Elegant Radiance And Brings Out The Colours And Enhances The Overall Glance. The Major Embossing Indian Handicraft Online Is Done By Hand And Is An Intricate Process. The Final Stage Of This Craft Is The Lacquer Finishing Which Is Used To Polish The Shantiniketan Leather Product And Prevents It From Being Attached By Mould And Fungus. Shantiniketan Leather Bags Are Not Only Beautiful In Appearance But Are Also Very Affordable. There Is A Wide Range Of Bags Available In The Market In Terms Of Colors, Shapes, Designs And Forms. As The Industry Is Becoming Competitive Many Modern Trends Have Been Incorporated. Such As Belts, Juttis & Mobile Covers.
Shantiniketan Purses And Bags Are Particularly Sought After Amongst The Local Womenfolk And The Tourists Who Are Absolutely Filled With Love By The Colours And Aesthetic Quality Of These Bags And Carry Them Back Home As Valuable Memorial.
Shantiniketan Handmade Products Have A Creative Interpretation Of Nature & An Inimitable Style That Is Acknowledged By Handicrafts Industries In India & All Across The World. The Flourish Of Handmade Industry Is Now Being Given A Considerable Financial & All Kinds Of Technical Help From Both The Government And NGOs Providing Enormous Support To Expand This Industry Globally.

Bamboo Craft Of Bengal

The Bengal Handicrafts Online Of Cane And Bamboo Is One Of The Traditional Indian Handicrafts Online Crafts Known To Man. It Is Globally Practiced At Different Regions Throughout India. India Had A Rich Source Of Cane And Bamboo Materials, And The Indian Artisans Had The Practice To Produce Stunning Utility Articles. These Products Are Meant For Household Utility. In Contemporary Days, Different Forms Of Decorative Products Are Also Made Out Of Cane And Bamboo. Baskets Of Various Kinds Have Significant Place. These Baskets Are Of Various Types. The Ordinary Work Baskets Of Day Labours Are Made Of Bamboo. There Is An Incredible Demand Of Decorated Travel Basket In Modern Days. Even Gift Items Are Packed In Small Bamboo Baskets.
Bamboo Crafts In India Are Very Famous Due To Its Eco-Friendly &  Indian Decorative Items Attributes. Since Ancient Times, Bamboo Crafts Of Bengal Had Been Occupying A Important Position As India Produces A Huge Amount Of Bamboo And Cane. The Bamboo Crafts Of Bengal Is Related With Cane And Bamboo, And Had Been A Part Of Indian Crafts Online Giving Rise To The Expression Of Tribal Art And Provided Them Livelihood. As India Is Blessed With Deft Artistry, These Types Of Craft Developed In This Country Very Soon And With The Changing Of Style And Trend, The Craft Has Developed Its Designs And Deftly Blended Tradition With Fashion.
Extensive Use Of Wood Over The Decades For Indian Decorative Items Such As Furniture And Other Products Has Challenged The Environment More Than Ever Before. The Population Of Trees And Forests Is Ever Receding. This Increasing Need For Wood Has Been Beautifully Supplemented By Cane And Bamboo. These Eco-Friendly Products Are Light In Weight And Have Their Own Style And Elegance. These Products Have A High Life With Minimum Maintenance And Are At Par With Wood, If Not Better. Strips Of Bamboo And Various Types Of Canes Are Extensively Used To Manufacture Different Utility And Decorative Items. Mats, Lamp Shades, Trays, Baskets Are Weaved And Knitted By The Skilled Hands Of The Artisans. Cane And Bamboo Can Also Be Converted Into Strong And Special Furniture, Which Are Very Popular Now. Jewellery, Bags And Handbags Are The Other Popular Items Of This Indian Handicrafts Online.
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Cooch Bihar In West Bengal Produces A Special Kind Of Cane Which Is Known As Mutra Cane. Mutra Cane Is The Basic Or The Raw Material For Preparing Shitalpati. The Local Artists Of Cooch Bihar Goes Through The Process Of Soaking The Cane Into Clean Water For 24 Hours. The Artisans Using Their Skills Cut The Cane Into Strips To Give Shape To The Pati. Striking Magenta Coloured Strips Are Specially Dyed In This Bright Shade By The Craft Person To Bring Beautiful Patterns Of Patis. Mutra Cane Is Mainly Found In The Region Of Cooch Bihar. The North Bengal Artist Prepare Attractive Motifs Like Diamond And Diagonal Shapes, Checks, Zig Zags, Twill And Many More On The Shitalpati Which Is Delicately Woven In Flat Strips.
Famous Cane Mats Of West Bengal Are Designed Very Carefully By The Craft Persons Who Design The Motifs Of Animals, Leaf And Human In A Very Beautiful Sequence. Magenta Colour Maintains Its Presence In These Mats Too. The Craft Person Skillfully Designs The Cane Baskets Which Are Made Out Of Special Kind Of Cane Found In North Bengal. This Particular Cane Is Long Lasting And The Baskets Made Out Of It Is Used For Carrying Loads Of Stones And Bricks.
Tribals Of Baroda Make Baskets, Masks, Flutes. Jodija Pahwai Special Double Flute, Is Made In Banni And Kutch. Tribals In Dahod And Dangs Area Are Famous For Their Baskets, Trays, Boxes, Mats And Musical Instruments. In A Majority Of The Villages In Gujarat Traditional Bamboo Work Provides Articles Required By The Agrarian Community. The Western Part Of Gujarat Is Engaged In The Making Of Cane And Bamboo Products. Ambapada Is Famous For Decorative Articles Made From Bamboo Roots.
Conclusion
Bamboo And Cane Crafts Have Been Getting More Admiration From All Over India And The Government Is Thinking To Promote This Type Of Ancient And Tribal Craft To Capture The International Market. The Bamboo And Cane Crafts Have Been Remaining The Backbone Of The Rural Economy Of The Country. The Government Is Planning To Promote These Indian Handicrafts Online By Providing Aids.

Madhubani Paintings: Origin & Present Scenario

 

Madhubani Literally Means "Forests Of Honey". It’s Not New To The World That Paintings And Art Often Symbolizes The Rich Culture And Tradition Of The Place From Which They Originate. They Tend To Be A Mirror Of The Times In Which The Art Was Generated. Madhubani Art An Ancient Art Form Become A Symbol Of 21st Century And Issues Madhubani District Or Ranti Village In Bihar Will Tell You How Madhubani Art That Originated About 2500 Years Ago Is Still Very Much Heart Touching. Not Only That, It Has Managed To Save An Entire Forest And Put The Focus On Some Very Pressing Women’s Issues! When You Look Back At The Past History Of Madhubani Paintings Online And How They Have Evolved Over The Years.

Most Of The Traditional Art Forms We’ve Known And Talked About Possess Deep Meanings Apart From Being A Visual Treat. India Is A Hub Of Such Brilliant And Diverse Arts And Crafts. Often Developed As A Mark Of Celebrations And Rituals, Many Indian Art Forms Boast Of A Rich Cultural Heritage. One Such Art Form Is The Madhubani Art, Also Referred To As Mithila Art. The Madhubani Paintings Have A Very Distinct Look And Charm, The Legacy Of Which Has Been Contemporarily Carried Forward In The Present Generations.

The Origin

The Special Madhubani Art Online Has An Curious Story Behind Its Origin. It Hails Back To The Very Popular Of The Times. It Goes Back To The Ramayana, The Popular Hindu Epic. The Legendary Lord Rama And Sita, The Daughter Of King Janaka From The Mithila State Were Married In The Reign Of Janaka. As A Part Of The Preparations Of The Wedding, Raja Janak Had Ordered Local Artists In His Kingdom To Decorate The Palace For The Wedding. As A Result, The Madhubani Paintings Were Born.

The Mithila Region Of Nepal And The Northern Bihar Was The Area To Where The Origins Of The Stunning Art Form Can Be Traced. ‘Madhubani’, Actually Refer To As Forest Of Honey (‘Madhu’ Refers To Honey While ‘Ban’ Refers To Forest), Is A District In The Area. The Area Has A Specific Regional Recognition And Language That Reportedly Compass 2500 Years. It Was Here That The Art Came Into Existence And Hence, Named Madhubani Or Mithila.

Madhubani Art Is Practiced In The Mithila Region Of India & Nepal. The Madhubani Paintings Online Are Done Through Fingers, Nibs-Pens, Matchsticks, Twigs & Brushes, Made Up From Natural Dyes & Pigments. It Is Characterized By Captivating Geometrical Patterns. It Is Portrayal Of Various Occasion, Such As Birth, Marriage, Kali Puja, Holi, Festivals, Diwali & Durga Puja.

Making Madhubani Paintings

The Brush Is The Main Instrument Used For Madhubani Paintings Of Bihar & It Is Made Of Cotton, Covered Around A Bamboo Stick. The Craftsperson Prepare The Colors That Are Used For The Paintings. The Black Color Is Formed By Adding Soot To Cow Dung; Yellowish Colour Is Formed By Combining Turmeric (or Pollen Or Lime) With The Milk Of Banyan Leaves; Blue From Indigo; Red From The Kusam Flower Juice Or Red Sandalwood; Green From The Leaves Of The Wood Apple Tree; White From Rice Powder And Orange From Palasha Flowers. There Is No Darkening In The Implementation Of Colours. A Double Line Is Drawn For Outlines And The Gap Is Filled With Either Cross Or Straight Tiny Lines. The Maithili Paintings Don't Even Require Colours Application; Only The Outlines Are Drawn.

Even Though This Art Is Centuries-Old Tradition, It Has Preserved Its Original Style And Content In Its Native Land Of Mithila. Nowadays Synthetic Colors Are Used But Traditional Artists Still Make Their Own Colors By Extracting Them From Plants. The Colouring Is Of Two Type Of Styles Kachni And Bharni. Kachni Uses Exquisite Splendid Lines To Fill The Painting And Not Much ColoUr Is Used. Bharni Uses Solid Colours To Flaunt And Fill The Images. It Uses Black Outlines Filled With Vibrant Colors. A Various Inventive Texture Are Made With Hatching And Stippling.In This Contemporary Age During Birth And Marriage Ceremonies Paintings Are Made On Walls With Different Symbolic Figures Are Painted Like Bamboo (lineage,) Lotus And Fish. The Designs Broadcast The Occasion Of The Merrymaking And Solicit Good Fortune And Divine Blessings.

Themes

The Plot Of The Madhubani Paintings Online Revolve Around The Hindu Deities Such As Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga And Saraswati. Apart From These, Many Natural Themes That Are Used Which Include The Sun, The Moon And Religious Plants Like Tulsi. Often, Many Scenes Of Royal Courts And Social Events Might Be Depicted. These Include Events Such As Festivals And Weddings, Particularly The Wedding Of Lord Rama And Sita. Significantly, The Central Theme Of The Madhubani Art Is Love, Valor, Devotion And Fertility.

The Madhubani Art Has Been Existent Since Ages But Got The Much-Deserved Attention And Recognition In About The Last 40 Years Only. The Art Form Has Retained Its Old World Charm Since It Has Been Preserved In Its Very Nascent And Untouched Form. Although The Use Of Synthetic Colors, Paper, Canvas, Fabrics And Other Materials Has Been Into Common Practice In The Recent Years, The Paintings Have Conserved The Original Styles And Content Of The Native Land Of Mithila. Though Sadly, Some Very Old Styles Have Been Now Extinct Due To No Practitioners Of The Same.

The Glorious Designs Of These Paintings Neglected By Indian Designers. But, It's Presentation In Silk Sari Borders, Dupattas, Kurtis And More. Here’s To Making Our Lives A Bit Richer By Paying Tribute To Our Nation’s Rich Heritage And Buying Some Authentic Madhubani Art Online.

During The Bihar Draught In 1960, The All India Handicrafts Board Encouraged Upper Caste Women In Madhubani Village Make Ritualistic Paintings On Paper To Generate Income. Slowly The Style Of Paintings Found Onto Many Articles From Greetings Card To Salwar Kameez Materials.

Madhubani Paintings Remains Ever Popular On The Home Decor. These Type Of Paintings Are Found On Table Linens, Napkin Rings, Lamps & Wall Hangings. Madhubani Art Was Originally Used For Decorating Walls & Floors Of Homes. These Kinds Of Paintings Have Found Their Way On Silk Sari Borders, Dupattas, Kurtis & More. Just Pay Tribute To Madhubani Art By Visiting Madhubani Art Store On Kiukart.

On The Brighter Side, Many NGOs And Art Galleries Have Come Up To Preserve The Impressive Art From. The Mithilasmita, Is An Organization With An Art Gallery Located In Bengaluru, India.‘Mithila Museum’, Hosted Which Has Over 850 Madhubani Paintings. However, In The Town Of Madhubani Itself, There Is ‘Mithila Art Institute’. It Works For The Upbringing Of Madhubani Paintings Online And Also For The Training Of Young And Budding Artists.

Literally, If We Translate Honey From The Forest, Madhubani Got Identidy When Sita Devi, A Painter Received The State Award In The Year 1969 And Jagdamba Devi Was Awarded Padma Shri In The Year 1975. The Government Also Awarded Sita Devi The National Award That Year Also.

One Of The Eminent Madhubani Painter Is Bharati Dayal. Madhubani Work Of Her Finds An Exclusive Place Of Pride Among Many Collections, Like The Ministry Of External Affairs; India & Minister Of Commerce.

Banglar Tant Saree Origin & History

The Tant Sarees Of Bengal Is One Of The Most Famous Cotton Sarees Online Which Are Worn By The Likes Of Women In West Bengal. The Weaving Of Tant Is Also Commonly Known As The Handloom Weaving Which Is Done By The Rural Artisans Of Bengal. The Tant Saree Weavers Can Be Traced Back To As Far As The 15th Century In The Small Village Of Shantipur In The Nadia District Of West Bengal Who Continued To Flourish The Trade During The Reign Of The Mughals Till The 18th Century. During This Period, Tant Cotton Sarees Online Were At The Receiving End Of Substantial Royal Patronage Along With The Weaving Of Jamdani Sarees And Muslin Sarees. While The Finest Muslin Clothes Were Reserved For The Royal People, These Popular Bengal Cotton Sarees Online Became Quite Well-Known Among The Common People. The Weaving Of Cotton Sarees Flourished During The British Raj And The Trade Saw An Influx Of Modern Weaving Techniques Such As The Introduction Of The Jacquard Loom Which Is Still Preferred Today. It Is Believed That The British Had Tried To Disrupt The Art Form Of Weaving Handicraft Tant Sarees So As To Safeguard Their Own Cotton Textile Industry In Manchester Which Was Also The Cotton Which They Used To Sell In India In Higher Prices. Even With So Many Difficulties, Kudos Go To The Weavers Who Decided To Settle In The Districts Of Hooghly, Nadia And Burdwan Of West Bengal, And Made The Art Form Popular In West Bengal, And Consequently Pan-India. The British Government Tried To Minimize Its Production To Save Their Textile Industry. At The End Of The British Rule, With The Help, Many Skilled Weavers Settled In And Around Bangladesh, Who Continued To Weave Tant Cotton Sarees Of Bengal.

The Designer Bengal Cotton Sarees Online Are Well-Known By Their Wide Borders And Intricately Decorated Pallus And Are Available In Lots Of Colours And Vibrant Designs Which Have A Variety Of Motifs Based On Flowers, Paisleys And Other Artistic Designs. The Ethnic Handloom Cotton Sarees Online Are Distinguished By Their Breezy And Transparent Nature And Are The Perfect Clothing For The Hot And Humid Summer.

The Best Weaving Talents Intricately Weave The Cotton Threads To Weave A Beautiful Tant Cotton Saree. The Borders Of These Sarees Are A Little Thickly Woven, Keeping It Safe From Getting Worn Out. Traditionally, Handlooms Were Used By The Weavers To Create These Sarees, But Now It Has Been Largely Replaced By Power Looms. A Tant Saree Is 6 Meter Long And Not 5.5 Meter Like The Usual Saree Length.

It’s A Curated Range That Celebrates The Age Old Weaving Process And Craft Of West Bengal. We’ve Tried Our Best To Keep The Heritage Alive. Here You’ll Easily Get Those Striking Thick Borders And Ornate Pallus For Which These Sarees Are Famous For. These Tant Sarees Are Intricately Woven Using A Slew Of Indian Motifs, Such As Paisley, Floral, Royal Palaces, Elephants, Stars, Blue Sky, And Much More.

Woven And Printed Designs Are Also Used To Accentuate The Tant Sarees. Former Ones Are Elaborately Woven With Sparkling Zaris And Resham On Border And Pallus. Have An Alfresco Dinner At Your Indian Friend’s Place? Drape A Tant Saree For That Graceful Appeal And Pair It With Beautiful Stone Studded Earrings And A Clutch.

It’s A Curated Range That Celebrates The Age Old Weaving Process And Craft Of West Bengal. We’ve Tried Our Best To Keep The Heritage Alive. Here You’ll Easily Get Those Striking Thick Borders And Ornate Pallus For Which These Sarees Are Famous For. These Tant Sarees Are Intricately Woven Using A Slew Of Indian Motifs, Such As Paisley, Floral, Royal Palaces, Elephants, Stars, Blue Sky, And Much More.

Woven And Printed Designs Are Also Used To Accentuate The Tant Sarees. Former Ones Are Elaborately Woven With Sparkling Zaris And Resham On Border And Pallus. Have An Alfresco Dinner At Your Indian Friend’s Place? Drape A Tant Saree For That Graceful Appeal And Pair It With Beautiful Stone Studded Earrings And A Clutch.

Look Slim In A Saree This Summer Season

A Saree Is An Unstitched Attire Of The Indian Sub-Continent. Derives Its Name From Sanskrit Word “site”, Which Translate As A Strip Of Cloth The Attire Is Known As Saree. Generally Measuring Around 5-9 Yards Length. Saree Is Adorn As A Significant Ethnic Attire By Indian Women. The End Strip, Usually Longer Than A Meter, Is Called The Pallu.Tall Or Short, Plump Or Thin; Saree Is One Amongst Those Outfits That Blends In With All Shapes, Sizes, Height. That Said, There Are Women Out There Who Fear To Drape A Saree, For They, Believe It Makes Them Look Fat And Round. If You Have Gained A Little Weight Around Your Tummy, We Have Some Tips To Make Look Slimmer This Summer Season.

You Might Not Be Aware But Fabric Or Material Selection Is One Of The Major Criteria When It Comes To Choosing The Fabric. You Can Actually Look Good And Slim Even With Some Extra Weight Put On, Wearing A Sari If You Can Choose The Right Fabric. Fabrics Like Crepe, Georgette, Or Chiffon Stick Around Your Body And Make You Look Unattractive Clumsy. Also, Try Ruling Out Cotton And Silk Sarees. But You Are One Amongst Those Who Swear On Cotton Sarees, Try Opting For The Lighter One.

If Your Height Is Short Then, Avoid Picking Sleek Bordered Sarees. Go For Sarees That Have Narrow Borders. Short Women With Broad Borders Never Coincide Well And Are Sure To Give You A Major Fashion Disaster Moment.

If You Really Want To Look Slim In A Saree Online, You Must Always Choose Lighter Print Sarees Or Sleek Embroideries Followed By Smaller Prints. The Big And Bold Prints Are Never Meant For The Shorter Women, And Instead, Make Them Look Horribly Fat. If You Are Picking From A Variety Embroidered Sarees, Choose The One With Small Motifs, And Avoid The Ones That Gloat With Bigger And Bolder Prints. Floral And Digital Prints Are In Vogue And Do Their Best To Hide Your Flabby Areas.

Black Colour Looks Sensational And Gorgeous At The Same Time. You Know Black Sarees Are Women’s Favorite Go-Getter Color And Are Totally Party Friendly. If You Are Able To Choose The Perfect Color, You Can Definitely Appear Slim And Attractive In Sarees. Choose From A Variety Of Dark Colors Like Black, Purple, Navy Blue, Etc.

The Women Who Can Master The Art Of Draping Can Actually Acquire The Talent Of Looking Sensually Astounding. A Saree's Feminine Grace Is Enhanced Only Through The Good Draping Skill. Avoid Tugging In The Entire Drapes At A Particular Place Unless You Wish To Display Your Bulged Out Tummy. Tricks That Have Actually Proven To Conceal Body Contours Of A Woman And Also Makes Her Look Taller. Pick The Right Accessories, To Go With. If You Are Short, Avoid Using Gold Chokers And Instead Opt For Long Neck Pieces To Make Yourself Look Thin. Go For Silhouettes If You Wish To Elongate Your Frame And Look Surprisingly Pretty.

AN ANCIENT CRAFT- TERRACOTTA

The Terracotta Tradition Is One Of The Earliest Forms Of Art And Craft Unearthed By Mankind. The Terracotta Tradition In Rajasthan Has Been Around Since The Days Of The Indus Valley Civilization. The Rajasthani Terracotta Art Boasts Of Its Unique Character And Style. The Art Is Traditional To The Village Of Molela In The Rajsamand District, That Has Been Witnesses To The Beautiful Craft Since Ancient Time.

The Art Is Associated With Making Idols Of Local Gods And Goddesses Like Dharamraj Ji And Dev Narayan Ji. Many Temples In Southern Part And Also In Madhya Pradesh Restore The Idols Each Year And Tour Molela For The Terracotta Figurines That Are Created Here. The Tradition Is Memorialized Like A Festival And Is Followed By Almost All The Tribes In The Area. Usually, The Original Terracotta Designs Have Detailed Mythological Stories Depicting Ramayana And Mahabharata.

The Unique Feature About The Indian Handicraft Is That, They Are Hollow Giving Rise To Lightweight Pieces Of Art. This Technique Prevents Formation Of Cracks And Also Uses Less Amount Of Clay. The Art Of Terracotta Is Appreciated Throughout The World And Every Year Thousands Of Pieces Of This Beautiful Art Work Are Exported To Foreign Countries.

History

The Terracotta Tradition Is As Old As 1500 Or 1700 Years Old. In The Olden Times, Almost Every Village Had Potters That Specialized In This Art. The Craft Was Originally Introduced Through Persia After Chengiz Khan Occupied China In During 1212 A.D.

The Art Of Terracotta Has Developed Over The Years But Has Still Maintained Its Vogue And Importance. In Villages, And Even Where Traditional Cooking Is Involved, Terracotta Pots Are Still Used For Making Delicious Food. For Ages, Terracotta Has Been Used For Making Decorative Pieces And Idols Of Gods And Goddess. Even Till The Present Day, The Income Of The Potters In The Village Of Molela Depends.

Terracotta Art Is An Integral Part Of Indian Culture And Heritage. What's More, The Art Form Has Not Been Lost As Many Others Have; Rather It Is Flourishing And Getting Richer Even Now With Artisans Uninhibited In Their Imagination And Creativity. Though The Art Of Making Varnish Pottery Has Been In Exant For Thousands Of Years In India, The Unglazed Pottery Items Are The Ones India Is World Renowned For. Terracotta Items Are Commonplace In Indian Homes In One Form Or Other, And Artisans Have Kept The Art Alive From One Generation To Other. Making The Art Form A Rewarding One For The Artisans. Though It Would Be Impossible To Find An Indian Village Without Potters And Other Artisans, Some States And Cities Are Well Known For Their Distinct Terracotta Ware. What Makes The End Result Unique From Region To Region Is The Difference In Clay Type And Color As Well As The Sensibilities Of The Artist, Not To Mention The Varied Culture, Religious Practices, And Traditions.

Terracotta Artisans Of West Bengal Use A Mix Of Two Or More Types Of Clay Taken From River Beds And Pits And Their Patterns Are Usually Traditional Or Community-Related. The Fuel Used For Firing Is Firewood, Dry Leaves, And Twigs Which Are Available Locally. The Molded Items Are Baked In Traditional Kilns At Temperatures Of 700°-800°C. Both Men And Women Participate In The Process With The Women Responsible For Working The Wheel And Giving The Upper Part Of The Pots Or The Necks A Round Shape. Other Items Like Dolls, Figures, Jewelry, Wind Chimes, And Toys Are Cast In Burnt Clay Moulds.

Creating Beauty With A Lump Of Clay, A Wheel, A Kiln, And The Pressure And Dexterity Of The Artisan's Hands Is What Terracotta Art Is All About. The Artisans, Often Uneducated And Leading A Simple Life, Nonetheless Create Magic Which Entices Locals And Tourists Alike. From The Humble Pot Used To Store Water And Keep It Cool In Summers And The Small Diyas Or Votives To The Most Elaborately Crafted Door Panels, Temple Facades, And Statues Of Gods And Goddesses, A Terracotta Artisan's Vision And Creativity Knows No Bounds.