Indian handicrafts have always been rich in variety owing to the great cultural diversity of our society. Every piece of handicraft product made from far flung regions of the country have a distinctive style of its own, reflecting the great historical traditions and artistry.
Absolutely astounding and unique in concept, colour and workmanship, the art and handicrafts of Rajasthan are beyond comparison.
Rajasthan is renowned for its famous handicrafts — the mesmerising lac jewellery, handmade home furnishings, traditional Rajasthani footwear, mojari, block printed textiles, tie & die items and many others. Each work of art creates an intense and irresistible appeal. Handmade Rajasthani miniature paintings, depicting the rich and colourful heritage of the desert State, are fast gaining popularity both in the inter-national as well as domestic markets.
The Sahara Art and Craft exhibition being held at the Scout and Guide Grounds in city near the DC office is showcasing the talents of the artisans from all over the State. It will be open till Oct. 31 from 10.30 am to 9.30 pm.
Lac articles
Artisan Rakesh Kumar hailing from Rajasthan has displayed his lac articles made using discarded lac bangles. Belonging to the traditional Manihaar family, he says "Over several decades, our forefathers have been in this occupation of making lac and other related products which were worn by the royal women."
"Lac is a resin like substance secreted by certain type of beetles on the bark of a tree. Wearing bangles made of lac has a special significance for Rajasthani women. We have been supplying lac bangles to various royal families across Rajasthan for the past 350 years. Similarly, beads made of lac also come in various colours and designs. They have a shiny lustre giving them an exotic appearance," says Rakesh.
"I make various kinds of beautiful artifacts out of lac, which truly have an appealing and artistic look. Articles like lac jewellery, lac bangles, lac mirrors, lac pen stand, lac hook hangers, lac photo frames, lac necklace, earing, lac boxes, gift articles, home decoration items. All our lac articles are greatly admired by people all over wherever we exhibit them. I feel happy to spread this art and exhibit it in front of the people," adds Rakesh.
Handmade lac beads are becoming popular as more people prefer wearing lac based jewelleries as these are non-allergic to skin when worn than wearing metal jewellery.
Metal Works
The art of metal work was known to Indians more than 5000 years ago. Traditionally, Indian craftsmen have been using different metals like iron, copper, silver and alloys like bronze, bell metal, white metal etc., to produce items such as pots, pans, utensils, photo frames, sculptures of deities, mythological figures and animals.
Handcrafted idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha and other metallic figures on display here are a brilliant example of this traditional art. The skill and craftsmanship of the artisan are revealed as he brilliantly transforms these bare metal pieces into astounding works of art.
Figurines of musicians are reflective of the intricate details that personify this metal piece. Even specific details like crown, jewellery and clothing are carefully engraved on these metal objects with great effort.
"Metal artifacts are in great demand as they can be crafted in various shapes including pots, boxes, candle stands, bowls, mirror frames and other forms all engraved with intricate designs. Figurines of traditional musicians are simply incomparable," says Pushpendra, who is exhibiting his metal works.
"The appearance gets even more appealing when tinted glass is used for decorating these white metal objects. Each item that we have here on display is the result of several days of tiring work of our skilled craftsmen, which is why they stand apart for their quality and craftsmanship. These artifacts, embellished with subtle engravings, can substitute any expensive antique piece in your interiors!" he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment