Cultural Heritage of India | Handicraft | Art of Weaving, Embroidery and Leather Industry
Art of Weaving and Embroidery
Ancient India had a unique place in the fields of hand weaving, embroidery and knitting. It was said that the whole piece of cloth of a particular size (Taka) of fine muslin of Dhaka could easily pass through a ring and could be adjusted in a matchbox. Moreover 'Galicha' (carpet of several regions), knitting work on attires and artistry etc. occupied a prominent place. Amongst them are Patola of Patan (Gujarat), Bandhani of Rajasthan, kanjivaram saree and kashmiri cloth having 'Kasab' work.
During the golden period of Solanki era, Gujarat had progressed in this field. During the reign of Siddhraj Jaisingh many artisans (weavers) came and settled in Patan and made the town world famous, especially for its Patola. Some weavers of Patan were the best artists particularly of Patola of Patan. This art of Patan is more than 850 years old. Only a handful people have the skill for such a complicated and time consuming art of dyeing. The Silkware (Beval Ikt) produced in Patan is called Patola of patan. 'Ikt' means weaving. This type of saree is designed in such a manner that it can be worn on either side.
This type of Patola variety has a good durability and its original colours remain intact.
Bandhani of Jamnagar, Jetpur, Bhuj and Mandvi are very popular. The traditional style of Bandhani with all its luster is very popular even today. It is due to the beautiful designs of elephant, puppet and dice of which Indian handicraft industry can be proud of.
Apart from cloth printing, cloth knitting has become a small-scale industry for Gujarati women. Embroidery has subdivisions of silk-work, Ari-bharat thread work. Women were skilled enough in various types of embroidery, decorating their homes etc. 'Torans' (used to hang on the door for decoration), 'Chakla' (wall-pieces), 'Shakh', 'Todaliya' and bed sheets. Clothes were decorated with various pictures of birds. Moreover knitting works of 'Jat' Community of Banni area of Kachchh is a wonderful achievement of Gujarat.
Art of Leather Industry
Leather had a particular place in India in ancient time (golden, silver, thread work) Leather was prominently used for making 'Mashak (a leather bag for fetching water)', the bellows used by blacksmiths, shoes, purses, and leather strips to the pets were used widely. Leather was tanned traditionally in those days. Later on, things were produced according to the daily needs.
Leather industry had a prominent and specific place of its own in India. Well knitted 'Mojadi' of Rajasthan, shoes, leather knitted purses, belts and other things made out of the leather for horses and camels like saaj, palan, lagaam were very much in use.
Comments
Post a Comment