Arts and Crafts

Paintings

Rajasthan’s role in the development of Indian art has been very important. The decoration of dwellings and other household objects was but one aspect of the creative genius of the Rajasthanis. The world of miniature paintings is perhaps the most fascinating and the distinctive styles that have existed here are renowned the world over.

From the 16^th century onwards there flourished different schools of paintings, like the Mewar school, the Bundi – Kota Kalam, the Jaipur, Bikaner and Kishangarh schools. Influenced by the surroundings, these medieval paintings have their own unique styles – the hills and valleys, deserts, palaces and forts, gardens, court scenes, religious processions and those highlighting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna were the recurrent themes of these paintings.

The Raagmala paintings and those based on Geeta Govinda are treasures of Rajasthan. It is widely believed that the miniature artists of Rajasthan were practicing and perfecting their art as early as the beginning of the 16^th century, and were later employed by the Mughal courts, specially by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar. The colours used by the miniature artists were made from minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, pure gold and silver. The preparing and mixing of color was an elaborate process and it took weeks, sometimes months, to get the desired results. Very fine, specially created brushes were made for different kinds of paintings.

The landscape changed, the colors used were varied, paintings were done on paper and palm leaf to illustrate manuscripts. On walls of palaces and the inner chambers of forts and havelis, frescoes were made. The painted havelis of Shekhawati are well-known for it. The importance of miniatures has never diminished—even after all these years. Paintings influenced by Mughal court provide an interesting insight into the lifestyle of the centuries and continue to fascinate the scholars to this day. Artists in Nathdwara, Kishangarh and Jaipur still work on miniatures and some of them produce excellent work. The magical quality of the miniature continues to live on.

In a different class but with several similarities are the cloth paintings of Rajasthan which includes the phads ---- scroll paintings used by the Bhopas and the Pichwais ---- cloth hangings used behind the deity in Vaishnava temples. Done in bright colours with bold outlines, these paintings have very strong religious traditions. The artist who works on them considers himself to be the servant of the Lord and puts in Shraddha or devotion on each pichwai or phad that he paints. This art form is also done for commercial use.

Pottery

Rajasthan's terracotta tradition, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization, continues today in all parts of the state. The plaques of Molela (a small town near Udaipur) are a must-buy. Clay is extensively used for making pots, dolls and other objects. Brush-painted images of folk divinities are sold in village fairs during festive times such as Gangaur, Teej and Diwali.

Jaipur is the home of glazed blue-pottery, which has its origin in Persia. Vases, flower pots, bowls, water pots and other objects are produced in traditional geometrical and floral motifs, as well as hand-painted details of Rajasthani legends.

Blue Pottery

Blue Pottery is an ancient craft and is one of the oldest in Rajasthan. This art of glazed-pottery came to India from Persia. It flourished in Jaipur under the patronage of Maharaja Ram Singh. The descendants of the very first potters still practice the craft. The distinctive feature of the blue pottery is that, unlike other, it is made of ground quartz stone. Clay is not used at all. . The traditional colours used are blue (from the oxide of cobalt), green (from the oxide of copper ) and white. A part of the pottery is semi translucent and in addition to blue and green, other combinations have now been evolved, such as canary yellow, dark blue and brown. The pottery has distinct appearances and is painted with conventional floral or arabesque patterns and sometimes with figures of animals. Beside traditional articles like surahis, pots and cylindrical jars, other items include ash-trays, tiles, flower pots, lamp stands, beads, ear rings, soap dishes, jugs, mugs and door knobs.

A small community of potters in Alwar of eastern Rajasthan have managed to keep alive the craft of kagzi (paper thin) pottery. Moulded pottery from Pokran, from the thick of the desert, is famous for its exquisite finish in geometric designs. Bikaner makes decorative pottery, with shellac finish and is embellished with gold to give glitter in its look.

Puppets

Puppetry is an ancient, popular form of folk entertainment. Locally called Kathputli - the colourful string puppets of Rajasthan are made of wood and cloth. The head of the puppets are carved out of wood and coloured according to characters they depict in the episodes. Strings are attached to the head for manipulation. The faces are usually painted yellow, white or any light colour. The body upto the waist and hands are made of stuffed rags, cotton or cloth bits. The hands have no joints unlike the other string puppets of India.

The absence of legs are not noticed due the long trailing skirt made of colorful cloth. Popular legendary stories like Amarsingh Rathore is enacted with folk music of Rajasthan.

No village fair, no religious festival and no social gathering would be complete without them. The traditional puppeters were from the wandering communities of the Bhatts. They move from village to village with their box of katputlis, accessories and dholaks during the festive seasons, returning to their villages to cultivate their small patch of land during the short rainy season.

Stone Craft

The use of brick was almost unknown in the geologically rich land of Rajasthan, which produces the country's finest marble, sandstone, quartz and slate.

The extraordinary craftsmanship of Rajasthani stone workers is amply visible in the numerous temples and palaces. For the connoisseur, there are life-like statues and the intricately carved pillars and jalis (latticed grilles). The finest examples of jali work can be seen in the various havelis (mansions) of Jaisalmer.

Textiles

Rajasthani textiles come in a fascinating range of dyed and block-printed fabric which are further embellished by embroidery. Each region has its own special colour scheme, design and technique.

Hand-block printed textiles of the townships of Sanganer and Bagru near Jaipur have won the hearts of millions at home and abroad. Jaipur's quilts are very famous as well.

Tie-and-dye textiles, called bandhej or bandhani are an important Rajasthani craft. The art of Bandhani is a highly skilled process. In this art, the fabric is tied at small points with threads and when dyed, the knotted parts remain uncoloured. More intricate designs are tied and dyed several times for each colour. Different methods produce different patterns. Lahariya consists of diagonal stripes ; Mothda is checkers ; Ekdali has small circles and Squares ; cluster of three four and seven dots are called Tikhunti , Chaubandi & Satbandi .

The best Bhandani work comes from Sikar and Jodhpur ,while Jaipur , Bikaner , Barmer , Pali, Udaipur and Nathdwara are the other centers. Zari and gota are lavishly used in bridal and formal costumes. One can pick up saris or even cushion covers with this elaborate mettalic thread embroidery.

Ivory work

Under a 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 a lace like intricacy is testimony to the ivory carvers, fine eye and unerring hand. Animal figures, birds, fishes trays and paper knives and a host of other decorative objects are carved with great artistry in ivory.

Engraving

The Jaipuri-engravers have mastered the medium of engraving on metal. Lacquered and engraved brassware comes in an amazing variety of articles: hanging lamps, boxes, bowls, picture frames, and plates. Traditional designs are used in different techniques: hammered, chased, or embossed and the motifs are of flowers, hunting scenes and landscapes.

In Jaipur the engraving is in three styles: ‘Marori’ work has minutely lacquered designs that cover the entire surface. 'Chicken' has flower motifs that contrast vividly against a chased and lacquered background and 'Bichi' a delicate pattern of flowers and leaves on a lacquered surface.

The metalware of Rajasthan comprises artistic brass work, enameled, engraved and filigree cut work on silver. Jaipur is famous for its engraved brassware which is usually enameled. Jaipur also has a tradition of brass sculptures, well finished and polished to a shine. Vivid enamel is also used to highlight the tracery on beaten brassware.

Traditional silver articles like handas or water containers, spice bottles, baskets and trays are popular overseas. White metal articles too, command sizeable export markets. Badlas or water carriers made of zinc are a speciality of Jodhpur. 'Badlas', usually round, semi-circular or rectangular are sometimes fitted with ice chambers and taps. The Koftagari or damascening work, is mostly practised in Alwar and Jaipur. One metal is encrusted into another in the form of a wire. Popular articles are swords, daggers and shields.

Toys and Dolls

Toy makers of Jaipur make Elephants and Horses of stuffed cloth decorated with tinsel & embroidered fabric. Paper mache birds and animals are available in different sizes and colours, and make an interesting buy. Soft tinted clay toys are produced in Merta and Nagaur district. Toys and statues inspired by the local legends are also available. Udaipur is famous for its wooden toys.