Metal Work

The use of metals symbolized man’s understand of his mortality and his innate desire to leave for posterity, his creations, which would withstand the vagaries of time. Deities were made both as solid casting and hollow casting, and some ancient books, the Shastaras, laid down proportions to enable the artisans to create exquisite figures in relation to human eye’s perception. The deities were adorned with glittering jewels and even the prayer items used in temples and households were beautifully designed and crafted. Everywhere in Indian, one finds idols and statues in temples and on the streets. For a people so given to idol worship, it was natural to develop sculpting skills of the highest order. Brass work from the princely state of Jaipur, the black stylized vases and urns from pembarathi and polished brass mirrors for Aranmula have today evolved into design statements. Metal and bronze sculptures of south India continue in an unbroken lineage from the chola period dating back to a thousand years ago.

Sculpture-the essence of art

The ancient treatise on sculpture, the Silpasastra tell us a story that captures quintessence of the art. Little wonder then, that the beauty of Indian bronzes lies in their efficient capturing of all these artistic forms within the figures created.

Carpets and Textiles of India

Traveling through India can be a sartorial adventure. Each region has an abundance of traditional outfits. The colours and the weaves are unique in each state and the ornamentation or printing, mirrors, the images of he region. The peacock motifs of Lucknow, he chinar leaf of Kashmir, the royal scenes of Kanchipuram and the Cheeks and stripes of Maharashhra, all add to make a collage rich and vibrant in colour, design and fabric. Traditional Indian textiles have romantic origins that date back several centuries. References to weaving proliferate right from the Vedas. With the birth of weaving, associated accessories like needle work and embroidery followed. The artisans from each region formed their won styles, drawing inspiration from nature.
Pile carpets were probably introduced into India from Iran. The important centres of carpet weaving in India are Srinagar in Kashmir, Jaipur in Rajasthan, Amritsar in Punjab, Mirzapur and Agra in Uttar Pradesh and Warangal and Elluru in Andhra Pradesh.

Sarees and Fabrics

Cottons are still woven in a myriad of colours and block-printed in animal and floral motifs in every little alleyway of India. Jewel toned sarees from the southern temple town of Kanchipuram are an anachronism in the nifty black dress culture that’s swept all global capitals. Bengal offers baluchari silk sarees and crisp cotton ones. The bridal brocade sarees, sometimes embedded with semiprecious stones and sparkling gold threaded beads from varanasi transform well into the modern apparel sensibility as stoles and scarves. Gold muga silks from Assam. Are terrific yardage for dresses, as are the vibrant raw silks from Mysore. Illkal sarees from Karnataka and the narayanpet textiles from Andhra Pradesh are also much sought-after.

Wood work

The tradition of wood-carving has existed in India from ancient times. The early wood-carved temples bear witness to the craft. Wood-carved temples exist till date in Himachal Pradesh , Uttar Pradesh. In India, each region has developed its own style of carving influenced by local traditions and wood varieties. Folk forms in woodwork include toys, puppets and religious objects and carvings. Karnataka as well famous for sandal carvings, sandal sculptures, sandal soaps, sandal articles, sandal perfume.

Stone carvings

The art of stone carving developed in India, a little later than wood carving. From ornate inlay with onyx black marble to the finely latticed soapstone, the appeal of the stone has been eternal. Both Hindu and Muslim rulers of India patronized this art. The craft in Uttar Pradesh reached artistic heights of excellence during the Mughal period when the Taj Mahal was created. The craftsman’s mastery over stone is best discovered in the architecture and sculptures found in Khajuraho temples, Mathura, Varanasi, Agra, Belur, Hallebedu, Shravanabegola, Hampi, Temples at Rajasthan , Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh are stunning experience of master pieces of carvings found.