Charming Chikankari I am a big fan of all things handcrafted and the Indian embroideries top the list. Hailing from Delhi that experiences hot and muggy summers, I bet nothing can beat the heat better than a crisp cotton attire with handsome Chikankari embroidery on it. Chikankari is a conventional needle art from the city of Nawabs, Lucknow in...

Warli Tribal Art India is a land of rich cultural and folk art forms. Every state in India witnesses an array of traditional art that is passed from generations since centuries. Among these, tribal art occupies an important place in the Indian handicraft industry. Practiced by the various tribes settled in different parts of the country, these tribal...

Aesthetic Appeal: Papier Mache craft from Kashmir We all are aware of Papier Mache as a craft piece that we made during our school activity class. But is Papier Mache just limited to junior school activity or is it beyond that? The answer is much more beyond… Papier Mache is one of the most popular traditional crafts from Kashmir that has been...

The Alluring Khurja Pottery Many years ago, when I was doing my internship with a leading publication house in Delhi, I was commissioned to cover a pottery exhibition organized by a close friend of my publisher. I first thought it to be a promotional activity between two friends but that coverage proved to be much more than that. Besides, it impressed...

Weaving a story: Kantha Embroidery Every art form has a story to tell. But none can narrate better than Kantha Embroidery. Known since time immemorial, Kantha work is the best form of personal and artistic expression. What started as a hobby to utilize old and waste fabrics by the rural women of West Bengal became one of the most sought-after crafts of...

The Incredible Inlay Art Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder… But this common adage isn’t true in the case of inlay art. This indigenous art form is capable of leaving everyone spellbound at the first look. Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World is a perfect example of marble inlay art. The beautiful art supposedly developed around...

The Grass Art The tableau of Bihar on the theme of ‘Sikki Grass Craft’ during the Republic Day Parade, 2013 in New Delhi. The subsequent year saw the Bihar Pavilion at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi being decorated with Sikki Art during the International Trade Fair, 2014. Both these managed to bring back the disappearing traditional Craft form from Bihar...

Building Blocks One of the most colourful and vibrant states of India, Rajasthan is famous for its rich heritage and cultural background. The rich tradition of Rajasthan is attributed to the influence of majestic Rajputana culture and a number of communities here who are involved in performing some exclusive art and craft activities for decades. In...

Glass paintings I had my first encounter with colourful glass art when I visited Paris many years ago. Home to some of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world, Paris combines the magnificence of its architecture with the grace and vivacity of its windows. I was so amazed by the beauty of these stained glasses that depicted the scenes from the Bible,...

The coveted Bandhini art What comes to your mind when the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat are mentioned? The vast stretches of Thar Desert… The mighty Aravali range… Sabarmati River flowing peacefully… Majestic forts and palaces… The energetic dandiya raas… Sumptuous vegetarian thalis… And the vivacious Bandhani or Bandhej sari. The word...