For centuries Indian handicrafts have been distinguished for their great aesthetic and functional value. In ancient times, the artisans conceptualized the intricate designs and patterns, which were crafted painfully into the temples and the objects associated with them.
Handicraft work was also promoted by Mughal Royalties giving artisans to show their remarkable refinement of workmanship. In these crafts the designs were very often influenced by the court paintings and miniature art derived from Persian or indigenous sources. These designs are evident in the Indian carpets, brocades, paper mache, stone inlay and so on. Some of the Kings were providing employment (without any reason) to artisan during calamites just for sustainability.
Traditionally, the artists prepared the designs on paper which were subsequently executed by the craftsmen. The designs were assigned to different craftsmen according to their abilities and skill. Thus the designer or master craftsman visualized the complete design indicating the details of form, colour distribution and proportion to be realized by various specialists.
Moradabad has been developed as craft place for different metal (brass, aluminium, iron etc) crafts in recent times due to as per demand of foreign buyers as traditional brass work becoming expansive every year & there was not much scope for good designs. The traditional brass casting, engraving and sheet moulding work has been the identity of Moradabad for centuries and it is believed that people inherited this work from their forefathers who moved along with Mughal kings who need them to their utensils and armoury but during the British Raj in 19th century the work was recognised and couple of people started exporting the products to England.So now from couple of exporter the number has gone up to couple of thousand and more than half of population of 700000 is related to the metal work directly or indirectly that is why the whole economy of the town depends on this industry. |
Sahahranpur is very famous for its woodwork and was developed almost same time as Moradabad when the Moughals started planning the towns. Their workers started working and planning the towns, designed havelis with beautiful wood works and their inheritances adopted the work of their forefathers to make different kind of items like furniture and handicrafts. |
Nagina in district Bijnor,
Uttar Pradesh has a legacy. For over five centuries,
craftsmen in this town have been renowned for the amazing
array of woodcrafts that they create. The advent of Britishers to India added a new chapter in the
history of Nagina's woodcraft. Artisans started making
smaller items of utility and adornment like pen-stands,
tie-cases, jewellery boxes and walking sticks. Over a period of time, the wooden handicrafts of Nagina
gained popularity in the local markets and even
international buyers started evincing interest. |
Blue Pottery of
Jaipur is unique in appearance. The art of glazed pottery came to India through Persia. The materials used are Multani clay or 'fuller's earth', quartz, raw glaze, and sodium sulphate. The best pieces are hand painted with conventional floral or arabesque patterns and sometimes with figures of animals. |
We, at Noah’s Ark, have tried to give identity to the grass root artisans of the above places so that the beautiful work of making handicrafts may survive in the coming generations as did the Noah’s ark for every species. |
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