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Bamboo & Cane occupy an important place in rural life:
utility articles such as agricultural
implements, fishing traps, hunting tools
and baskets are made of bamboo. Shahdol,
Balaghat, Mandla and Seoni regions of
Madhya Pradesh are main bamboo producing
centres apart from Chhattisgarh and Bastar.
Here the artisans have skillfully harmonized
their age old knowledge and techniques with new designs, to meet modern market
demands. The Gond, Baiga and Korku tribal communities are highly skilled in
the craft of bamboo. |
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Cute little dolls made
out of clay are produced
in Gwalior, Bhopal and Jhabua. The work
of Battobai, a craftswoman from Gwalior
has achieved international fame. The dolls
made here are interesting pieces of work,
influenced by different cultures and traditions
of India mirroring the diversity and uniqueness
of the country.
Here are cute, colourful little dolls to give bland old Barbie a run for her
money. These dolls are made out of small cloth pieces and are produced in Gwalior,
Bhopal and Jhabua. Battobai's dolls are known
the world over and are exported in large numbers.
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Carpets Since
the Mughal times, Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh
has carved a niche for itself in the weaving
of Carpets.Later
on, weaving also began in the Shahdol & Mandla
belt. The carpet weavers of Madhya Pradesh
are undisputed masters of not only weaving
carpets but dyeing also. The colouring
was earlier done by means of natural dyes,
but presently it is being done with synthetic
dyes as well. Pattern is an integral part
of knotted carpets and traditional patterns
have continued with varying combinations
since the last 200 years. |
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Folk
paintings of
Madhya Pradesh, specially the wall paintings
of Bundelkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gondwana,
Nimar and Malwa are living expressions
of people, intrinsically linked with the
socio-cultural ambiance of the area. They
are not mere decorations but also spontaneous
outpourings of religious devotions. The
paintings, based on local festivals like
Karwa Chauth, Deepawali, Ahoi Ashtami,
Nag Panchmi, Sanjhi etc. are usually done
by women using simple home made colours. |
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Iron Craft The tradition of iron craft
in Madhya Pradesh has been passed down
from generation to generation and stands
unmatched in skill and creativity. In
the interiors of Madhya Pradesh's villages,
the craftsperson's practice traditional
skills and techniques to craft iron
in myriad inimitable forms. Iron crafting
begins with obtaining iron ore from
local mines which the ironsmiths mould
into various shapes and forms. Gond,
Muria, Bhatra, Dhruva tribals, practice
the tradition of offering horses, swings,
trishuls etc. made out of iron, to gods
on fulfillment of their wishes.
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Jute Next
to cotton, jute is the cheapest and most
important of all textile fibers. It is
used extensively in manufacturing different
types of packaging material for agricultural
and industrial products. Its coarse character
has a unique charm while natural colour,
heavy texture and twilly kind of body
typify its earthiness. Jute handicrafts
are available at Bhopal, Raipur, Indore
and Gwalior. The items include hanging
lamps, baskets, flower vases, swings,
hammocks, purses, table mats and footwear
etc. |
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Metalcraft Emerging
from the fogs of time, steadfast with
centuries of changeless tradition, yet
keeping tune with contemporary styles,
the Metal Craft of Madhya Pradesh stands
apart, in concept and workmanship alike.
Metal ornaments boxes of Bundelkhand,
lamps of Sarguja, rice measure bowls
animal figurines of Raigarh, sculptures
of Bastar are a few examples of the
ingenuity of craftspersons of Madhya
Pradesh. These metal images invested
with peculiar indigenous socio- religous
history are considered auspicious.
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Folk Jewellery The folk jewellery of Madhya Pradesh is most distinctive, highly artistic,
elaborate and varied. The various cultural regions have their own distinct
styles. Jewellery from Chhattisgarh is available in a variety of gold, silver,
bronze and mixed metal. Other major centres for folk ornaments are Tikamgarh,
Jhabua and Sheopur-Kalan. Ornaments made of beads, cowries and feathers are
part of tribal costumes. Tribal metalsmiths often fashion ornaments by the
age old process of cire perdue casting, or lost wax process. |
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Papier Mache,
a craft practiced since time immemorial,
finds expression in varied forms. In Madhya
Pradesh, the main centre for papier mache
is Ujjain, but it is also practiced in
Gwalior, Bhopal and Ratlam also. The Nagvanshi
community, which makes mud toys and dolls, is also engaged in making of papier
mache articles. The traditional expression of this craft was creation of ornate
articles like vases, figurines and icons. Today, craftspersons in Bhopal and
Gwalior make statues, birds, animals and decorative panels.
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India's stone carving tradition is perhaps one of the richest in the world.
Guilds of masons and have existed since the 7th century B.C.
A system of apprenticeship was initially prevalent. Later skills were handed
down as family lore, from father to son. The famous rock cut temples of Vidisha,
the sculptured stone temples of Khajuraho, the monuments of Orchha and Gwalior,
all stand testimony to the excellence and originality of the stone carvers
of Madhya Pradesh. |
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Stuffed Leather Toys Delightful
looking in various forms, skillfully crafted
and gaily painted, the stuffed leather
toys of Madhya Pradesh are a very attractive.
Leather work has been practiced since
a number of years in Madhya Pradesh. Craftspersons
in Gwalior, Indore, Dewas and Bilaspur
specialize in making leather shoes, jutties,
leather bags, mushk etc. With time the
craft has evolved and given rise to new
products. Today, Indore and Dewas are
making leather garments & Gwalior
is making shoes on a big scale.
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Terracotta Pottery
has been called the lyric of handicrafts.
It symbolises man's first attempt at craftmanship.
The colours of terracotta articles and figures
vary from pink, red, brown to light and
dark grey. The terra-cotta products of each
region in Madhya Pradesh have their own identity and distinctiveness.
The famous traditional statues of elephants, serpents, birds and horses from
Bastar are incomparable in simplicity.
Similarly the decorative roof tiles and rukha padki of Raigarh have no equal. |
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Woodcraft The art of wood carving has flourished in many parts of Madhya Pradesh, and
the beautifully embellished wooden ceilings, doors and lintels with finely
carved designs are silent testimonials of its glory. The wood carvers of Madhya
Pradesh, with great sensitivity and skill transform different varieties of
wood such as shish, teak, dhudi, sal and kikar into works of art. Besides the
famous wooden memorials, the craftspersons of Bastar and Chattisgarh, Malwa,
Nimar and Bundelkhand, Sheopur-Kalan, and Rewa also make pipes, masks, doors,
window frames and sculptures.
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Embroidery Work The
craft of Zari work is concentrated in Bhopal,
which is famous for its exquisite craftsmanship.
Also practiced in Gwalior and Indore, its
origin can be traced back to 300 years.
Today traditional articles have been replaced
by modern purses, bags, tea cozies, and "jutties" or
slippers. |
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