Handicrafts of India - Undiscovered Wonders

1)         Pashmina Shawls

Pashmina is a fine type of wool. Its textiles are first woven in Kashmir. These shawls are made from a fine type of cashmere wool and are then transported to the valley of Kashmir in northern India, where it is entirely hand processed. All steps from combing and spinning, to weaving and finishing, is entirely carried out by hand by dedicated craftsmen and women. The major centre of Pashmina fabric production is the old district of Srinagar. The approximate craft time put into producing a single Pashmina shawl is 180 hours. They come in beautiful vibrant colours and have exquisite embroidery on them and at the same time can keep you warm and are also known for their softness.

2)         Woodwork

The northern states of India have a rich tradition of the woodwork. Regions in Punjab are famous for its exquisite wooden furniture. Kashmir is famous for its artefacts made from the walnut trees. The artisans of Chhattisgarh specialise in wooden crafts like masks, doors, window frames and sculptures. Jharkhand is famous for its wooden toys which are always in a pair. The woodcarvings of Goa are an aesthetic blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures, and the designs are primarily floral, animal and human figures. Endowed with abundant forests, woodwork is a popular craft in South India. It is mainly done on rosewood and sandalwood. Red sandalwood from Andhra Pradesh is used to make cutlery, dainty boxes and paper knives in various designs. Madurai (a city in Tamil Nadu), is popular for its rosewood carvings. Karnataka is famous for beautiful elephants, images and furniture made from rosewood. Sandalwood is also used to make utility and decorative items, which are etched with designs of flowers, creepers, birds and animals. Magnificent figurines of females are carved out of Kumbli wood in Kerala.

3)         Brass Handicrafts

Brass is known for its durability, and this feature adds to its advantage when used as handicrafts. Different items made of brass like Lord Ganesha's figure in different postures, vases, table tops, perforated lamps, ornament boxes, wine glasses, and many more are widely used in many Indian houses even today. These artisans dealing with brass handicrafts are distinctively known as "Kansaris". The manufacturing of brass handicrafts is mainly done in Rajasthan.

4)         Carpet Weaving

Carpet weaving is also an important craft in North India. Uttar Pradesh has the largest carpet weaving industries in the country, and the carpets are incredibly beautiful with designs such as the Taj Mahal woven on them. More than 500 carpet manufacturing factories spotted the city of Bidohi, which made the city home to the leading hand-knotted carpet weaving industry hubs in South Asia. Also, Jammu and Kashmir is known for the silk carpets, which are mostly woven in Srinagar.