Handicrafts in India
India is known for many a things but there is one which is particularly centric to its identity, i.e. handicrafts. Handicrafts in India have originated 5000 years ago. They reflect the traditions, customs and history of the country. They are unique and hand blended ingenuous creation of the artisans which amazes the modern man. History of handicrafts in India can be traced back into the Indus Valley civilisation wherein they not only used them as an object of art, but also for daily necessities of the kings and the elites. Alongwith the same, artefacts were used to worship as well. Infact, some were also created for the purpose of trade and commerce. By this we can see that there was art trade in India among other countries.
The rich culture of the artistic tradition proves great skill and intellect in the field of art which Indians possessed since its creation. Back during the Harappa era, not many materials were used in making handicrafts. Few materials like metals, stone and terracotta were seen as resources were in limited quantity but, despite it, they achieved excellence in artistry like sculpture making, pottery, jewellery weaving, wood crafting and others. The trade progressed during 1500 B.C., via sea routes and one of the main evidences of its existence are the references given in the Rig Veda.
The next boost to production of the handicrafts was during the Mauryan period. The encouragement given to the artisans by the Mauryans helped them to develop their skills by the construction of some famous stups like the Sanchi stupa, Mathura, Amravati, Vaishali, Barhut sculptures. Common sculptures are mainly those of women adorned in jewellery and other ornaments. Also, during the period of 1st century B.C and 1st century A.D. a political turmoil took place and it led to creation of inspirational sculptures of peace like that of related to Buddhism. They are present even now in Taxila, Bamiyan, Swat valley, Begram, etc.
The making of handicrafts changed again during the Kushana period. A majority of them were leather products, metal works, jewellery and textile manufacturing. Most of them imbibed foreign influence made out of in accord with Indian arts. Another change was seen during the Gupta period where a great degree of progression in the field of handicrafts was witnessed. One of the big example to prove it are the Ajanta and Ellora caves and it continued in the world of artisans but later degraded. It started to recover again during the medieval period. Bronze sculptures and temple architecture became prestigious forms of art during the reign of Cholas and the Vijayanagar Empire. Artists led a lavish lifestyle and the crafts work, including paintings became the talk of the day. They were famous for methods like inlay work, engraving of glass, weaving of carpet, brocading, enamelling and so on.
A new phase began in India during the Mughal Empire. A new outlook began to define India’s stand on handicrafts. Some artists took this as an opportunity and began merging the ancient art with Mughal art and thus creating a neo mixture of artworks and art forms in the name of handicrafts. The rich diversity found in handicrafts is still awe inspiring and magnificent.
The Indian handicrafts field is a lavish and profitable as the makers, who have engraved their names on the stones and sculptures as legends left a mark in the field of art that cannot be imitated. It is said that there existed a group of weavers who were able to make a six metered sari folded in such a manner that can fit into a matchbox of average size.
Not many art methods were preserved in past and most of the significant work were lost and we are still unable to find them. For centuries, the method of handcrafting differed. Each empire wanted artists to create works of art suitable to their likes and wishes. Some emperors would want the artists to create sculptures praising the king and his ancestors with heirs. On the other hand, some would want them to depict Gods of their likes which eventually lead to the development of temple architecture. They can be seen in the states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka.
The procedure and method of handicrafts is a lot more different in this era. It’s more simplistic and plain in texture when compared to the highly decorated, ornamented sculpture and stupas. The struggle to retain the slowly crumbling craft industry gave way to initiative like campaigning’s and crafts exhibitions, all around the country, promoting the importance of the slowing fading handicrafts industry in India.