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 Textiles
Rajasthani textiles come in a fascinating range ot dyed and block-printed fabric which are further. embellished by embroidery. Stunning, unusual combinations of scarlet and shocking pink, purple and orange, turquoise and
parrot green, saffron and crimson, shot with gold and silver steal the limelight. Rajasthan is the heartland of hand-block printing. Sanganer in Jaipur is virtually flooded with block makers and printers. The art of Khan
or overprinting in gold is also practised here. Today, traditional vegetable and mineral’dyes are gradually being replaced by chemical ones. The town of Bagru excels in delightful circular designs in dark glowing
vegetable colours printed on bed spreads, table linen and clothes. Textiles printed here have won the hearts of millions at home and abroad. The red, black and olive green, mosaic-like patterns of the Jajams of
Chlttaurgarh are used for women’s skirts & wraps and floor coverings Heart-warming textiles, dyed in the bandhani or tie style reign supreme in Rajasthan. The highly skilled process. Different methods are used to tie the fabric into small points producing different patterns like Lahariya, Mothda,Ekdali and Shskari. The best bandhani work comes iikar and Jodhpur, while Jaipur. Pali. Udaipur and Nathdwara are the other centres. women of Rajasthan haveem broidering fabrics. Embroidery practised in Bikaner is done by counting threads. The women of skar and Jhunihunu specilize in making patterns of animals. Chain stitch is popular in A!war. Dancing figures.
Flowers and peacocks are the favourite motifs. Women of Barmer use mirrors, thus enhancino the beauty of the embroidered piece. In applique, different pieces of cloth are patched together to make a multicolouredmosiac.. The exotic colours, shapes and pattern combinations against constrasting backgrounds catch the eye.
Blue Poetry
Blue pottery is an art form from Persia and was introduced in Rajasthan under the patronage of Maharaja Ram Singh. Blue pottery is new art form with a fascinating recipe of distinctive material like the ground quartz stone. The color schemes are also peculiar like, blue (oxide of cobalt), Green (oxide of copper) and the external white.
Some of the pottery is semi- translucent and lately is been experimented with other colors such as, yellow, dark blue and brown. The conventional floral or arabesque, hand made patterns and the animal figure patterns are the prominent designs. The various articles shaped out are mostly the traditional ones like surahis or pots of different shapes and size for multiple use, ashtray, tiles, flower pots, lamp shades, jars various accessories or interior items are the forte of this art of pottery.
Carpets
Rajasthan is traditionally well-known for fine-quality hand-knotted woollen carpets. Jaipur, Ajmer, and Bikaner are main centres for this craft. The colours found are blue, red, and purplish-tints in combination. The other combination is light green and deep blue. The border motifs include bold flowers and long serrated leaves.
There is a move to revive traditional designs like dushala, charkona, mehrab and shikar. The carpet in Indo-Kerman design has ivory or cream as the background colour with floral design all over or in the centre. Complex carpets, requiring 400 to 600 knots per inch, are not woven any more; simple carpets with counts of 16 to 36 knots are being woven. Rajasthan has a strong wool base as it controls 50 per cent of total wool production in India and there is enormous scope for disseminating this craft in rural areas.
Jewelry
Some of the most charming and attractive hand crafted jewellery comes from Rajasthan. Rajasthan is famous for its jewellery industry and it is one of the world’s largest centre for hand-cutting of gems. It is India’s important source for precious and semi precious stones like; Ruby, Emerald, Garnets, Agate, Amethyst, Topaz, Lapis lazuli, Carnelian, etc. Rajasthan is known for the art of silver smithy, beginning from anklets to earrings to head gears. A lot of effort goes into its making since most of the rural communities wear silver ornaments. Besides silver, it is known for its Lac bangles, Kundan and Minakari, enameled gold jewellery, uncut diamonds and emerald-cutting. Another most exclusive art is ‘thewa’ from Chittaur popular for its gold work on glass. Some of the traditional adornments are Rakhdi (head ornament), Tussi (necklace), Baju Bandh (armlet), Adah (special neclace worn by Rajputs), Gokhrus (bracelets), Pajebs (anklets), etc. Kundan,the art of setting stones in gold famous in Bikaner and Jodhpur. Minakari is the Art of enamelling in gold and silver for other metal (meenakari can be done in precious, semi precious gems or the cheaper coloured glass also. it is made in Jaipur, Nathdwara and Pratapgarh.
Leather wear
Rajasthan is embarkly known for its Jooties Jooties reflect the unique style of every district they belong to. It is amazing how the leather is beaten, tanned and dyed and put to the best use. The leather is punched and gouged to create patterns, studded, sequined and even embroidered with woolen motifs. Cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer is famous for Jooties. Bikaner is best known for painted Lampshades, shields, vases, Mojharies made out of camel hide. Hard Bag, belts, hats, chairs, foldable chairs with graphic embroideries are from Tilonia.
Jaipur and Jodhpur are traditionally known for their footwear. The popular jutis come with astistically embroidered uppers. They are incredibly sturdy and long lasting and although somewhat uncomfortable for the first few days, they fit like a glove after they are worn for some time.
Bikaner is known for its painted perfume bottles, waterjugs, vases and lampshades made from camel hide. Today, designer hand – bags with graphic embroideries also make a good buy.
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