jodhpur handicrafts, handicrafts of jodhpur, tie and die work in jodhpur, paintings in jodhpur, metal products in jodhpur

Explore Jodhpur Jodhpur Information Jodhpur Handicraft

The usual Rajasthani handicraft are available here, but Jodhpur specialises in antiques. The Ajit Bhawan with the Umaid Bhawan and the well known Abani Handicraft is next to Tourist Bungalow. You will be hard pressed to find any bargains, though this is no reflection on the generally excellent quality of the goods available. The tie and dye fabric, embroidered ‘jutis’ or slippers in suede, cancel skin, velvet and more color to the city. It was form here that the popularly worn baggy-tight horse riding trousers, - "Jodhpurs", took their name.

▪ Tie and Dye :

This form of printing possibly best identifies Rajasthani fabric. Tie and dye or bandhani is one of the most popular fabric styles all over India. In this, the fabric is tied with threads conforming to a pattern and dyed several times for different colours. The tied portion of the cloth retains the original colour, thus resulting in intricate designs and patterns when the knots are opened up. A variety of styles are used in this technique, chunari (dotted), lahariya (diagonal striped waves) and mothra (large dots) are some of the popular ones. Sikar and Jodhpur are the most popular centres for tie and dye.

▪ Leather ware :

The hides of dead animals have never been put to better use than in Rajasthan, whether as juttees - the embroidered footwear the people wear - or as saddles, bags and pouches. It is even used as backs for chairs after it has been embroidered with woollen motifs. For something so ordinarily functional, it is amazing how the leather - beaten, tanned and dyed - is given over to such consummate artistry. The leather is punched and gouged to create patterns, studded and sequined for effect, and embroidered and stitched so that a pair of slip-on shoes becomes a statement of style. Jodhpur and Jaipur are the traditional centres for juttees. A variety of juttees are available here in different shapes and styles and embroidered with coloured thread.

▪ Metal Crafts :

The tradition of metal crafts probably arose from the warrior’s need to embellish his armour. In later years the art of enamelling became merely decorative and in Rajasthan, has been used for everything - from tabletops to wall plates, flasks and for crafting objects d’art. Usually done with brass, it has a tinsel-like quality unless the base itself is heavy enough to carry off the work successfully.

However, the silversmith does a better job with a range of statuary that is stunning once patterned into animal figures, an orchestra of musicians, or caparisoned elephants with human figures atop a howdah. These enamelled silver pieces are some of the finest examples of the jeweller and metal smith working together. Brassware, enamelled, engraved and filigree cut work on silver are available in Rajasthan. Jodhpur, Jaipur and Alwar are prime centres for metal ware.

▪ Paintings :

A Rajasthani’s love for colour and art has found expression in the various kinds of paintings that have developed here over the years. Miniature paintings, portrait and courtly paintings, murals, cloth and furniture painting, mehndi or henna, domestic painting and mandana, or the art of decorating houses are some of these.

The miniature paintings of Rajasthan are world famous for their intricate detail and vibrant colours. From the 16th century onwards, various schools of paintings flourished in Rajasthan. Some of the important ones are Mewar, Marwar, Amber, Kishangarh and Hadoti. These paintings vividly render hills, valleys, gardens, palaces, courts and religious processions. Themes from the Ramayana, Krishna Lila and the Gita Govindam have also been pictorially translated. The colours used for the paintings were made of minerals, vegetables, precious stones, conch shells and metals like gold and silver. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Nathdwara and Kishangarh are some of the centres still engaged in this art form.

▪ Ivory Carving :

Among the most intricate and painstaking crafts is ivory carving. Under regal partronage, the most delicate art of ivory carving flourished, in the princely capitals of Rajasthan; Bharatpur, Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur. The art is still alive in the delicate ivory figurines of gods and goddesses, minutely carved and perfectly proportioned. Jali-work of lace like intricacy is testimony to the ivory carvers, fine eye and unerring hand. Animal figures, birds, fish trays and paper knives and a host of other decorative objects are carved with utmost artistry and craftsmanship.