BLOCK PRINTING

HAND KRAFTS OF INDIA (RAJASTHAN)

                                   BLOCK PRINTING

The history of the block printing 

India has been renowned for its printed and dyed cotton cloth since the 12th century and the creative processes flourished as the fabric received royal patronage. Though the earliest records mention the printing centers in the south, the craft seems to have been prevalent all over India.

Surat in Gujarat became a prominent center for trade of painted and printed textiles. The major items produced were wall hangings, canopies and floor spreads in rich natural colors. Records show that as far back as the 12th century, several centers in the south, on the western and eastern coasts of India became renowned for their excellent printed cotton. On the southeastern coast the brush or kalam (pen) was used, and the resist applied by the same method. In the medieval age printing and dyeing of cottons was specially developed in Rajasthan. In Gujarat the use of wooden blocks for printing was more common.

Tents were created from printed fabrics and became a necessary part of royal processions. The seasons largely influenced the integration of the highly creative processes of weaving, spinning, dyeing and printing. Festivals also dictated this activity.

Trade in cotton cloth is said to have existed between India and Babylon from Buddha's time. Printed and woven cloths traveled to Indonesia, Malaya and the Far East.

In the 17th century, Surat was established as a prominent center for export of painted and printed calicos, covering an extensive range in quality. Cheaper printed cloth came from Ahmedabad and other centers, and strangely enough Sanganer was not such a famous center for printing as it is today

Hand block printing is a centuries old Indian art form that utilizes a hand carved teak wood block that is dipped in dye and stamped by hand onto cotton or silk.

The design for the block is usually a traditional Indian motif. The motif is traced onto a block by a master craftsman who then chips away at the block to create a stamp.

 

The printing process begins by pre-washing the fabrics in the river in order to reduce water consumption. The fabric is then dyed, laid flat on a table and fixed firmly to the table with pins. Four to five basic natural colors are used that are then mixed together to form a multitude of colors. The block is then dipped in the dye and stamped firmly by hand onto the fabric. Finally, the fabric is rinsed in the river and hung to dry in the sun, minimizing energy consumption.

 

Good printing requires skill and practice in order to create uniformity and clear block printing patterns. Small variations in the printing add to the unique charm of these handmade fabrics.  :SOURCE (passion lilies)

NOW when come to how the blocks are prepared you can watch the video below: One the oldest and traditional art total will be done by hand in the below video you can see the all the details of how they prepare the blocks from the raw woods and how the prepare the designs to to the blocks and how they prepare the color for the printing.                                                                                                             

ASSAM HANDCRAFTS

                     

                            INDIAN HANDCRAFTS  

  

                                          ASSAM HANDCRAFTS

The Assam valley is popular for its rich greenery, tea gardens and the beautiful handicrafts of Assam. Assam handicrafts and the various art forms in Assam are the life and soul of its people.

                                                        (Assam tea garden)

Assam is located in the northeastern region of India just below the eastern Himalayan foothills. The state is surrounded by seven states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim, which are collectively known as eight sisters and serve as great attractions for tourist. Amongst other things, Assam is popular because of the mass production of tea in the state. Around 25 percent of the world's tea is produced in Assam. The tea gardens of Assam, the hills and mountains of the valley along with its amicable people, make Assam a beautiful place for tourism.

                                                      (source: internet)

Assam has a very eco friendly  handicrafts business. Assam is renowned for the production of some wonderful silk. The state produces superior quality silk called ‘Pat’ and ‘Muga’. Moreover, weaving and embroidery are counted as major handicraft industry in the state. Cane and bamboo are also used here exquisitely to make beautiful handicrafts. In addition, terracotta products of Assam are also good examples of beautiful crafts.Similar to all states of India Assam also have their unique style and texture and style of handlooms.   

                              Assam bamboo handcraft (source : internet)

The Different Categories of Assam handcrafts:

Bamboo crafts

handlooms

Jewelry

Cane products

Terracotta

wood crafts

Masks

Toys

Traditional paintings

                                      Terracotta handcrafts (source: internet)

Being rich in bamboo and cane reserves, Assam produces some very useful and daily used utilities like baskets, hats, sieve, mats, stools and other useful furnishing out of bamboo and cane. 

                                        Bamboo crafts(source : internet)

Pottery is another handicraft of Assam that creates toys, household articles, and so on.
Due to the easy availability of wood in the state, there are many good woodcarvings seen in Assam. Masks made in Assam are mostly used for folk theaters. These are produced with materials such as terracotta, metal, bamboo and wood.

Brass and Bell metal products of Assam are also loved for their utility as well as beauty. The cottage industry of Assam produces many products made of brass and bell such as water pots, dishes, bowls, spoons, and cymbals and so on.

          

                                                                        (SOURCES FROM INTERNET)

HAND KRAFTS OF INDIA: handcrafts of india part-1

HAND KRAFTS OF INDIA: handcrafts of india part-1:         Indian handicrafts Indian handicrafts is an art of making crafts by hand in India is called Indian handicrafts, in ancient India...

ANDHRAPRADESH & TELANGANA HANDCRAFTS

         
                 INDIAN HANDCRAFTS 

                          ANDHRA PRADESH & TELANGANA

The both states are Located in the southeastern coast of India,  Hyderabad, the city of ‘Nizams’, is the lovely capital city of the state telangana,And famous for its ‘Hyderabadi Biryani’, the ‘Char Minar’ and lots other things. The state is also popular for attractive destinations like Vizag, Tirupati, Warangal, Kurnool and many other beautiful places for vacation. Amongst other things, the state is in demand for its handicrafts, which has a wide market reaching far away international countries. Andhra pradesh is the treasure of a fascinating range of art forms and traditional crafts, each unique in style, concept, theme and expression. 

                                                        (source: internet)

through the centuries old,thease crafts and arts without exception have displayed flexibility and durability.they adapt to the changing years and generations and till the date maintain an enriching freshness.Kalamkari with its lucid and colorful depiction of the epics and landscapes;for the children there are toys they called as kodapalli toys purely made of soft wood.and nirmal printing for sarees and textiles.the Bidricraft with silver contours.Local crafts of any part of India are capable of creating genius products. Likewise, Andhra Pradesh also has the distinction of having some very special and important categories of handicraft products made all over the state by its artistic craftsmen.

                                              BIDRI ART

Local crafts of any part of india are capable of crating genius products.Like Andhra pradesh and Telagana also has the distinction of having some very special and importent catagories of handcrafts made all over the state by its artistic craftsmen.

The different categories of Andhra Predesh and Telangana:

Peral jewelry 

BIDRI
Banjara Needle Crafts
Budithi Brassware
Dokra Metal Crafts
Bronze Castings
Lacquer Ware
Folk Paintings
Kalamkari and Block Printed Fabrics
Wood Carvings

silk saree

                                                                  kalamkari lamps

                                                kondapally toys 

Hyderabad, the capital is known for use of pearls in jewelry, which are very famous and exported world over. Bidri craft, the silver inlay on metal, is another famous craft of Andhra. 

The Banjara Needle Crafts is a popular form of handicraft, which includes embroidery and mirror work. This work is beautifully done on cloths to create colorful intricate designs. 

                                     BANGARA NEEDLE CRAFED HAND BAG

Budithi Brassware is the interesting work of brassware where they make beautiful items from alloys. The name of the craft is so because it originated in the small town of Budithi in Andhra Pradesh. This art comes from the tribal region of the state and is created by hand, thereby providing an individualistic touch to the art form. 

Dokra craft creates objects like tribal Gods, figurines, horses, drummers, and so on. Andhra Pradesh creates some amazing Bronze Castings and some incredible idols. They use solid casting of icons and prepare the mould by several coatings of different clay on a finished wax models to create fine curves to the cast-image.

                                                   silk saree

The state also produces some amazing work of Lacquer Ware, which is the application of lacquer on wood. This work can be done by hand or even machine. Lac is used on objects and they are kept aside to get dry. Later, the objects or figures are designed and colored with brush.

                                             (all the sources are from internet)

JAMMU AND KASHMIR HANDCRAFTS

        Indian handicrafts

Indian handicrafts is an art of making crafts by hand in India is called Indian handicrafts, in ancient India people lived in colonies called tribals and they were used to make utility items for their daily need, that art of making the crafts called handicrafts, and the items called handicrafts goods. Then people started selling these products in the local markets “haat”. Time has been passed and people have become more developed and civilised in all aspects, those who were making handicraft products have started trading their makings by increasing demand and population.

                         (source:Indian handkrafts Development commissioner )

Handmade goods are called handicrafts and handicrafts made in India are known as Indian handicrafts. From early ages to current world, people of India have been using handmade products for a long time. At earlier stage, Indian-handicrafts had been used as utility items to fulfill their need but now these products have become the creation of Art and are used for decorations.

For the examples of the art and the crafts can be seen in any forts and places of india,In Indian architecture and paintings of india. Several handcraft techniques can be seen in all different places of india. Almost of all states of india have their handicraft techniques.And they have own style of making art and craft products. 

you can see in the above picture the different states with different kind of hand crafts hear below i am going to give full exposure about each and every parts of india. 

1.Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most beautiful destinations of India. However, this paradise on earth has always been in controversy due to terrorism and political turmoil. Nevertheless, there are many other things about this beautiful land to talk about such as its picturesque landscape, its gorgeous people, the beauty of the nature the delicious food colors of nature and its attractive art and crafts. Tourism has been one of the most revenue generating industries in Jammu and Kashmir, which has become slow in the past few years. However, the industry is gaining back its position as more and more local as well as international tour tourists are flocking here these days. With the rise in tourism, the handicraft industry of Kashmir is also getting stronger.

The different categories of Jammu and  Kashmir hand crafts is: 

.shawls(pashmina)

.wood carving

.walnut wooden crafts 

.Namdas 

.papier-mchie 

.copper and silver wear  

.carpets 

                                           (source:internet) 

The handicrafts of Jammu & Kashmir Handicrafts include some vibrant hand-made crafts, which symbolize the cultural significance of the state. The craftsmen of Jammu and Kashmir have mastered in making items like carpets, baskets, wall hangings, shawls and much more. The handicraft industry of the state is thriving and it provides employment to a large mass of local people of the valley.

                                                            (source:internet)

Papier mache is a very old form of handicrafts in Jammu & Kashmir, which is equally popular in the state. The original art of papier mache, which uses original gold painted items are quite expensive. However, there are many replicas being created and sold in local market at low prices as well.

                               (source:internet)

The popularity as well as the importance of Kashmiri Shawls in the handicraft market of Jammu and Kashmir is very old. These delicate shawls are soft and comfortable to use and has a great demand in the international market. The making of these shawls is not an easy task, as it requires a lot of concentration and patience. The embroidery in these shawls is done by colorful threads and the raw material is hand weaved before using for embroidery. Most of these shawls are made of three fibers, namely, wool, Pashmina and Shahtoosh. After that, they are decorated with different motifs and embroidery. These are rare and unique shawls with peculiar charm and interesting designs.

                                    (sourece:internet)