Rajasthani Handicraft

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Rajasthan is a land of vibrant colours. Of culture, tradition and wonderfully talented people, skilled craftsmen and artisans !  A world-famous tourist destination.  Colours are a part of  the Rajasthani ethos and are found in their costumes, bustling bazaars, fairs and  festivals, in traditional paintings and murals and in their cuisine ….  the flaming red chillies and dazzling reds & yellows of the womens’ odhnis break the monotonous desert landscape of Rajasthan.

Rajasthani wooden jewellery
Rajasthani Wooden Jewellery 

The handicrafts of a particular region are representative of the land and the people and Rajasthan is world famous for their handicrafts.  Amongst the variety of Rajasthani handicrafts are textiles, jewellery , handmade paper, paintings, leather crafts, marble artifacts, hand crafted items  in wood, ivory, lac,  gold and silver.

colorful turban
colorful turban

Rajasthan produces some exquisite textiles in lovely colorful fabrics. Be it their myriad multi-coloured Bandhani tie & die textiles or their Bandhej block printing, these are two gorgeous forms that portray the rich culture of Rajasthan and are much in demand by fashion designers nowadays.

The famous Blue pottery of Jaipur … a ‘must-have’ on every tourist’s shopping list. Traditional designs are now being adapted to modern shapes, such as tiles, knobs, beads  and modern dinner services, to attract a more discerning and international clientele.

Blue pottery
Blue pottery
Blue Pottery is widely recognized as a traditional craft of Jaipur though it is Turko-Persian in origin.  The name 'blue pottery' comes from the eye-catching blue dye used to colour the pottery which is mostly decorated with animal, flowers and bird motifs. The range of items is primarily decorative. The colour palette is restricted to blue derived from the cobalt oxide, green from the copper oxide and white.

The world renowned Jaipur Razais or Quilts feature high on the list of Rajasthani handicrafts.  They are unique both for their artisanry and functionality.  The secret of Jaipuri quilts lie in the carding (dhunai) of the cotton.  Done by hand, the quilts are warm, incredibly soft and lightweight. The price of a quilt is decided by the type of cloth and cotton used and also the type of carding and stitching.

Rajasthani Quilt

Jaipur is a major centre for jewellery production and world famous for precious and semi-precious stones.  Kundan and minakari  …. enameled jewellery, in traditional designs in gold and silver are the most attractive and popular forms.

Rajasthani Jewellery

Mojris or Jootis from Rajasthan is a craft form that is extremely popular across the country as well as around the world. Almost everyone has owned or worn a pair of jootis sometime in their lives ! These are beautifully embroidered soft camel leather shoes. Jodhpur and Jaipur manufactures some very pretty mojris and jootis.

Rajasthani Moojri
The abundance of handicrafts in Rajasthan makes it a shopper’s paradise … make a list before you venture out because your mind will boggle at the variety and choice ….. for the  lac bangles of Jaipur, woollen carpets & durries from Bikaner,  Jaipur and Tonk, wooden  furniture from Jodhpur & Kishangarh, paintings including murals, frescoes and miniatures, puppets, bags and more !

Take in the sights and smells of the bazaars, the heady smell of the pungent spices, the breathtaking  colours,  the magnificent  forts and palaces, the generosity of Rajasthani hospitality, the aura of the desert and take back a souvenir to remind you of this magnificent land !

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