Handicrafts

Longpi is one of the rarest form of pottery in the world, it doesn't use the potter's wheel but instead use molds and the artists adept graceful hands to produce these creations. Another specialty of these vessels is that they are purely made of stones. These pristine vessels are not only used for their unmatched utilitarian values but also its appearance is considered grandeur at auspicious festivals.

Longpi is where you can re-discover yourself with an earthy touch, enjoying the serene beauty. Longpi is commonly attributed to refer to two villages in Ukhrul District - Longpi Kajui and Longpi Khullen. These two small villages in the hinterlands of mystical Indian state of Manipur is now making national and international attainments with its sassy yet customary Black Stone Pottery or "Longpi Hamlei".

If you think that the dark charcoal colour results from colouring you are MISTAKEN! The potters use Lison, naturally black serpentinite stone found in Kapungrum, Ukhrul and

“A Journey from Forehead to Décor”

Small, yet powerful and integral part of Indian culture “Bindis” also known as “Tikuli” in Bihar influence the “tikuli art”. Since time immemorial bindi has been used to embellish the beauty of Indian women and these colourful dotted accessories has been the symbol of intellectual capacity of the better half of Indian population so the origin of this art form coming from the birth place of Sita is no surprise.

Tikuli Art achieved wide recognition in 1982 when India's then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi gave Tikuli art as a gift to the players of Asian Games.

Origin

Tikuli art finds its root in the Patna situated in the eastern part of India and is considered to be as old as 800 years. These paintings were the artistic expressions of women folks using their bindies to portray the local context and their daily lives. In those times its popularity was so immense, that traders from across the world use to buy

“If an image has to be made, it must be made of wax first” Vishnusamhita, 5th century AD

Dokra (also spelt Dhokra) is non–ferrous metal casting using the lost wax casting technique. This sort of metal casting has been used in India for over 4,000 years and is still used. One of the earliest known lost wax artefacts is the dancing girl of Mohenjo-Daro. Dhokra Damar tribes are the traditional metal of West Bengal. Their technique of lost wax casting is named after their tribe, hence Dhokra metal casting. The tribe extends from Jharkhand to West Bengal and Odisha and the artisans still use this technique to create enchanting artefacts and receives a lot of love and appreciation for its primitive simplicity, enchanting folk motifs and forceful form.

Craftsmen involved in the making of Dhokra rely on materials at their immediate disposal – wax, resin and firewood from the forest, riverbed clay and a firing oven made by digging a hole in the ground. Such res

Pattachitra is the art of traditional, cloth-based scroll painting originated in state of Odisha (formerly known as Orissa). The name comes from the word ‘Patta,’ the Sanskrit word for ‘cloth’ and ‘Chitra,’ picture. These paintings are based on Hindu mythology and specially inspired by Jagannath and Vaishnava sect.

Origin

On the Debasnana Purnima day (Full moon day of Jyestha month), the Gods of Jagannath, Puri, have a ritualistic bath to fight the heat of summer. As a result the deities become sick for fifteen days, i.e., the first fortnight of Asadha. During this period, known as Anasar, the devotees don’t have Darshan of their beloved Lord at the Ratnavedi. Instead, three paintings, of Lord Jagannath (a form of Krishna), Lord Balabhadra and Maa Subhadra, in the colours black, white and yellow respectively, are worshipped. Such paintings, known as “Anasar Patti”, are made by traditional Chitrakaras of Orissa, who are experts in the art of Pattachitra. Patta pa

Rajasthan is the land of nature’s blended beauty, surrounded by huge mountains, picturesque landscapes, historical monuments, and palaces. Besides the exotic wildlife sanctuary, vibrant culture & traditions, the state is also renowned for crafting and Handicrafts of Rajasthan are exemplary in aesthetics, quality, and crafting. The unique handicrafts & arts of Rajasthan seem to be influenced by the Rajputs and Mughals. One can spend hours browsing these fantastic handicraft items. The Handicrafts of Rajasthan depicts the state culture and rich heritage, and that is what makes them exquisite.Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur are some of the best cities to shop ethnic Rajasthani jewelry. The Rajasthani’s are fond of adoring these beautiful gems. Each region of the state has its own different style.Jaipur, Johari Bazar is the renowned place to shop beautiful embroidery and mirror work textiles. The Sanganer area of the city is famous for dying and printing fabric. In Jaipur, one will find an eno

Odisha, one of the backward state in the Indian union has also taken the advantages of new opportunities of globalization and designed policies in such a way to attract foreign investment and forge ahead with its policy of economic reforms. Now it has attracted FDI flows in different sectors of its economy. Globalisation has many impacts on its handicrafts sector. Odisha, which has distinguished crafts heritage, 'there are 69,395 handicraft artisans, which includes- 41,612 males and 27,744 females. Many of its crafts have long historical past and have been produced since antiquity. For instance the Applique crafts of Pipili in Puri district which is now an internationally well known craft, is thought to have been used to decorate the temples since 1054 A.D. Sources say, in ancient Orissa several crafts and industries also developed during the Nanda and Maurya rule as has been found from the excavated sites at Sisupalgarh (near Bhubaneswar), Jaugarh (in Ganjam) and Asurgarh.