A skilled activity in which something is made in a traditional way with the hands rather than being produced by machines in a factory. Tourists visiting India are often enamoured of its superb handicrafts, as much as its people. However, some, if not all, find the best places to buy unique handicrafts in India quite a challenge. Handicraft represents Indian’s culture and tradition. The feeling of home is hidden in the small things and the small stories that every item carries with it. The same is the reason behind buying handicrafts. Every piece of craft has a story, a story of the passion of the craftsmen who created it or his inspiration to make it. That’s why craft pieces make the perfect fit for any house. India is one of the leading producers and suppliers of handicraft products in the world. India has been a large producer and supplier of handicraft products for a long time. In Asian countries, handicrafts are as highly wanted as mechanized products in quality and volume and are a major source of their foreign earnings via exports. The artisanal industry is an important source of income for rural communities that employ more than six million artisans, including large numbers of women and people belonging to the weakest sectors of society. The sector is highly creative and produces a large variety of crafts products that are highly consumed and fond of. In India, the creative importance of these craft products is off the roof making sure that it fits in perfectly with the urbanized decor and connects the urban dwellers with their roots. The most attractive thing about handicraft items is ecological property. Use pieces of wood, recycled plastics, bottles, and other waste materials that make beautiful pieces of craft supplies. The days of Indus Valley Civilization, artisans and craftsmen have been respected for their excellence in various kinds of handicrafts. That tradition continued well into medieval and colonial times, and flourishes even to this day. List of 10 incredible places for handicraft shopping is as follows.
1.Kripal Kumbh, Jaipur, Rajasthan
The Jaipur handicrafts are famous the world over. The artists and craftsmen of Jaipur have modelled these handicrafts into alluring objects of art. Some handicrafts are used for home décor while others are for daily use. While traveling to Rajasthan in West India, make your way to Kripal Kumbh, a small showroom in Jaipur’s Bani park. This showroom was set up in the 1960’s by Kripal Singh Shekhawat, a famous artist of the time. It is believed that blue pottery made its way to Jaipur from Kashmir under the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II during the 19th century. He was so impressed by its design and appearance that he decided it should be taught at all art schools. Today, the showrooms exhibit a variety of pottery designs, both classical and modern. We can buy a wide range of blue pottery items there, from trays to animal figures. Kripal Singh Shekhawat, the founder of Kripal Kumbh, was conferred the Padma Shri in 1774 and awarded with the title “Shilp Guru” by the Government of India in 2002. There are a variety of blue pottery items available at the showroom. These are sugar pots, Egg holders, cups, dinnerware, visiting card holders, coasters, incense holders, paper weights, jars, vases, trays, crockery, jewellery boxes, serving trays. The pottery stands out with its vibrant blue and golden designs, or animal and bird motifs.
2.Must Art Gallery, Delhi
Delhi boasts its rich tradition and sound cultural values. The rich heritage and culture can be seen in the lifestyle, demography, art, crafts and music. Must Art Gallery is an assortment of great pieces of contemporary tribal art paintings and sculptures, THE GOND ART that originated from the tribes of Central India. Must Art Gallery is renowned art gallery offering various Indian Tribal art paintings including Gond art, Warli art, Kalighat art, Madhubani art and others by popular Indian artists. It is constantly growing and innovating to meet the needs of the changing times lies in the conjunction with true soul of indigenous cultures and its people. The gallery enters into the aesthetic awareness of every life through the assimilation and propagation of GOND ART and other art forms, culturally distinctive with its exceptional ethos. It is an effort to make a typical stage to encourage the tribal artists to rise above social and cultural boundaries and paint the language of the universe in their own extraordinary way.
3.Sambhali Boutique, Rajasthan
Sambhali Boutique, located in the centre of Jodhpur, provides an outlet for the clothes, accessories and handicraft items produced by the women in our Sambhali Graduates’ Sewing Centre. Sambhali Trust founded on 16 January 2007, the organisation aims to empower Dalit women and children in Rajasthan through educational programs, vocational training, and social services. The name “Sambhali” means “rising of the deprived women”. It has a rigorous quality control procedure for every item produced in the Sewing Centre, ensuring that only products of exceptional quality are sold within their Boutique. Sambhali Trust is a non-profit organisation, so any profit accured from the sales of items through the Boutique, after paying for raw materials, wages, and shop overheads, we can directly back into the organization supporting its many projects, helping to make the organization self-sustainable. They feel very fortunate that a number of their international volunteers have been skilled dress makers, meaning their graduates have the opportunity to learn how to produce western style garments. As every product is hand-made, orders can be customized to accommodate the customer’s needs, with variations in color, fabric and style easily possible. Their merchandise includes a variety of Indian and Western-style garments, silk and cotton camels and elephants, block-printed scarves, a selection of shoulder bags, and many other items, each one handmade and unique in their own special way. Located in the heart of Jodhpur, the boutique offers a variety of both Indian and Western-style garments, accessories and homeware, ideal to take home for souvenirs or just a treat for yourself to remind you of time spent in Jodhpur. Sambhali Trust is financed mainly through foreign donations and grants.
4.Kala Madhyam, Bangalore
Kala Madhyam is a non-governmental organization established on March 8th 2002. Kala Madhyam is dedicated to supporting and empowering traditional (folk and tribal) artists and artisans. To this end they run the Kala Madhyam Store that has over 15 exquisite folk and tribal paintings, handicrafts (metal art, pottery, apparel, toys etc) from across India and specializes in wall murals. In India, art and craft are not merely decorative. They are conceived from the creative vision of common people; inspired by their deep devotion to god, their spiritual communion with nature and the wisdom of their traditions. Art is therefore, a reflection of the self and community, a socially unifying force. Kala Madhyam is dedicated to supporting and empowering traditional (folk and tribal) Indian artists and artisans through systematic and sustained development efforts. They seek to ensure their social and economic well-being, nurture creative community enterprises, foster global recognition and collaboration for indigenous arts, and promote, protect and preserve the integrity and diversity of Indian art, craft and culture. The organization is operational in Karnataka, India. Kala Madhyam works in the area of Art & Culture, etc. The NGO works towards the promotion of sustainable development.
5.Raghurajpur Heritage Village, Odisha
Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village out of Puri district, India, known for its master Pattachitra painters. Apart from that, the village is also home to crafts like Tussar paintings, Palm leaf Engravings, Stone carvings, Wood carvings, Cowdung toys and Papier mache toys, and masks. Whenever someone speaks about “Heritage”, everyone instantly remember about Raghurajpur. Raghurajpur is the heritage crafts village of Odisha. It is not just any ordinary village, it is the heart and soul of creativity. Located around 12 kms away from Puri, Raghurajpur is the home of around 500 Chitrakars. Each household has at least one Chitrakar who is highly skilled and immensely creative. Raghurajpur is famous for Pattachitra: paintings on a piece of cloth. There are many types of Pattachitra like Tassar cloth Pattachitra, Palm leaf Pattachitra etc. With evolution and innovation, now the Chitrakars have started painting exquisite Pattachitras on coconuts, betel nuts, clay pots & bottles. They will welcome you to their home. They will show you their art, crafts & paintings patiently. They will tell you about their tales of struggle. They will explain the process of their trade. The art form is used to decorate none other the Lord of the Universe- Lord Jagannath and his siblings. The attachment with the holy trinity elevated the art form helped it gain prominence.In 2000, after a two-year research and documentation project by INTACH, starting 1998, the village was chosen to be developed as state’s first heritage village and developed as a Crafts village, soon the village had an interpretation centre, commissioned artwork on the walls of the artists’ homes and a rest house.
6.Devrai Art Village, Maharashtra
Devrai Art Village is a non profit initiative to connect with nature and celebrate creativity. A core group of highly skilled Adivasi craftsmen and artists from the naxalite affected areas of Gadchiroli & Chattisgarh find a livelihood and a safe refuge here in Panchgani. The unique and distinctivtive style of our product range comes out through combinations of different mediums such as iron, brass, stone, wood, bamboo and fabric. They believe in empowering craftsmen and not in doing charity.
Todays idea of “development” has broken the link which connects us to the whole. In modern times nature is commodified and relationships have turned into transactions. Devrai Art Village attemps to amend this broken link and make the process of creation a joyous experience. This village facilitates their interaction with design schools and resource persons from other areas to enable a cross pollination of ideas. It also facilitates direct interaction of craftsmen with customers in order to obtain insights into the marketing and sale process. It create an environment that offers opportunities to explore the linkages between indigenous art and nature. Devrai Art Village strives to empower the craftsmen by giving them new design ideas and marketing possibilities. More than that we seek to nurture a way of living where Nature is not looked upon as a mere resource but where plants, animals and humans are seen as interdependent and where art can reflect the sacredness of Nature. In the true spirit of a ‘Devrai’ or a sacred grove They are trying to nurture a variety of plants , shrubs and creepers so that it offers a glimpse into a way of being where the man nature connect is not severed under the onslaught of modernism. The unique and distinctivtive style of their product range of comes out through combinations of different mediums such as iron, brass, stone, and terracotta. What we are known for is Rock Dhokra(Fusion of Brass & stone), a completely new invention which we are getting a patent for.
7.Dilli Haat, Delhi
The DILLI HAAT provides the ambience of a traditional Rural Haat or village market, but one suited for more contemporary needs. Here one sees a synthesis of crafts, food and cultural activity. This Food and Craft Bazar is a treasure house of Indian culture, handicrafts and ethnic cuisine, A unique bazaar, in the heart of the city, it displays the richness of Indian culture on a permanent basis. Dilli Haat, Janakpuri gives ample opportunity for food lovers to savor delectable lip smacking food as there are 14 Nos. of food stalls set up where one will be able to savor the flavors from across the country and 15 food stalls serving cuisines from around the world. Delhi got its third Dilli Haat on 13 July, 2014 as Dilli Haat at Janakpuri was inaugurated in a colorful ceremony by Sh. Parvesh Sahib Singh, Hon’ble MP. Sh. Jagdish Mukhi, Hon’ble MLA and Smt. Rajni Mamtani, Hon’ble Councilor graced the occasion with their presence. Dilli Haat is a paid-entrance open-air market, food plaza, and craft bazaar located in Delhi. The area is run by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), and unlike the traditional weekly market, the village Haat, Dilli Haat is permanent. It is located in the commercial centres of South Delhi, opposite INA market. The 6 acres of land on which this complex is situated was salvaged as part of a reclamation project and transformed into a plaza. Extensive foundation work, small thatched roof cottages and kiosks give the plaza a village atmosphere. The culture and the environment of dilli Haat is very good. People from outside come and visit Dilli Haat. It is a good place to visit with family and friends. Some shops are permanent but other sellers are rotated, usually for fifteen days.[1] Products offered may include rosewood and sandalwood carvings, embellished camel hide footwear, sophisticated fabric and drapery, gems, beads, brassware, metal crafts, and silk & wool fabrics. A number of shows promoting handicrafts and handlooms are held at the exhibition hall in the complex. To sell wares, there is an application process; spaces are allocated according to which state the seller is from.[2] In all, Dilli Haat, INA Market has 62 stalls allotted on a rotational basis to craftsmen for a payment of INR 100 per day for a maximum period of 15 days. Dilli Haat was established jointly by Delhi Tourism (DTDC), Government of Delhi and NDMC, D.C. (Handicrafts) and D.C. (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India and opened in March 1994.
8.Tilonia, Rajasthan
Tilonia is a village in Ajmer district in Rajasthan state in western India. It is home of the NGO, Barefoot College founded by renowned social worker Bunker Roy. Tilonia is also home of eShala.org, Online educational portal co-founded by Kartar Jat. This village has become a model for all remote villages for education, economic and social development. Tilonia is also known as education hub with its meritorious students in Navoday Vidyalaya and village school. At present this esteemed and world renowned college gives training for rural women who are poor from nearly 49 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The Social Work and Research Centre, popularly called the Barefoot College, founded by social activist and educator Bunker Roy, has been working on changing all this since 1972. Working in the fields of education, solar power, electrification and sustainability, the organization aims to, “support a journey to empowerment, one village at a time, one woman at a time.” Spread over more than 8 acres of land, the campus of Barefoot College was built between 1980 and 1986, designed by a team of rural ‘barefoot’ architects, masons, blacksmiths, farmers and members of women groups who sat and struggled through the initial basic designing of the campus. This institution believes in imparting informal, non-structured, on-the-job practical training by identifying the poor, unemployed youth who have been unable to finish their formal education and have returned to their respective villages as dropouts.
9.Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
Moradabad is a city, commissionary sand municipal corporation in Moradabad district of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Moradabad is situated on the banks of the Ramganga river, at a distance of 167 km (104 mi) from the national capital, New Delhi and 344 km north-west of the state capital Lucknow. Moradabad was founded in 1625 by Rustam Khan, a Mughal general who built the fort north of the city as well as the Jāmiʿ Masjid (Great Mosque). The city, located at a major road and rail junction, is a trade centre for agricultural products. Industries include cotton milling and weaving, metalworking, electroplating, and printing. Grains, cotton, and sugarcane are grown. Sugar milling and cotton weaving are the principal industries. The Raza Library is a place that holds great historical significance in the city. It has some of the greatest manuscripts and an amazing collection of pictures and inscriptions on palm leaves in many different languages.
10.Channapatna, Karnataka
Channapatana is a city and taluk headquarter in Ramanagara District, Karnataka, India. Channapatna is located on the Bangalore – Mysore highway. It is about 55 km from Bangalore and 80 km from Mysore. Channapatna is also called Town of toys. This traditional craft is protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the Government of Karnataka. The use of Lac (lacquer resin) for wood finish, cosmetics, toys, bangles and dye is much earlier in ancient India. The city is famous for its wooden toys and lacquerware. These toys are manufactured in traditional and advanced small-scale industries. Manufacturing and twisting of raw silk, rice, ragi and coconut is a major product of Channapattana taluk. The traditional ivory-wood, other woods—including rubber, sycamore, cedar, pine and teak—are now used as well. Manufacturing stages include procuring the wood, seasoning the wood, cutting the wood into the desired shapes, pruning and carving the toys, applying the colors and finally polishing the finished product. Vegetable dyes are used in the coloring process to ensure that the toys and dolls are safe for use by children. The incredible streets of Channapatna are filled with the colorful wooden toys which one cannot find anywhere else. The small town produces ample wooden toys which are so unique and showcases the unblemished talent of the craftsmen.
