Arts and Crafts of Gujarat

Gujarat is a beautiful state of India, and is well known for its rich tradition and culture. The history and cultural practices of this State have sustained all odds. People here, still cherish their immemorial practices and happily pass on the message from one generation to the other.

The exclusive handworks exhibit the craftsmanship of the people. These works are quite famous all over the world. The craftsmen still follow the conventional method in designing their art work, and this is what makes their work quite unique. The handicraft industry in Gujarat has contributed to the economic development of the state. Some of their craftwork includes metalwork, jewelries, hand and machine embroidery works, clay items, furniture, handmade durries or carpets, and stone crafts. Jamnagar another city of Gujarat is quite popular for its brass industry.

Since ages, Gujarat has always been famous for its culture and craftworks. The artist here can still be seen designing crafts and others in the same manner as it used to done in earlier days. In fact they are proud of such tradition and have passed the skills from one generation to the other. In earlier times, these crafts were mainly used for domestic purposes. However, its popularity has earned it fame in the international market. These days, the artists try creative ideas and innovatively design different products that can be sold both in national and international market. The list of handmade items designed by these artists is endless.

Every craft, irrespective of their size will mesmerize the onlookers. The furniture, metal-work items, jewelry, hand crafted garments, crafted leather works, bead and mirror works, baked clay works, and many others are worth buying. The furniture works of Gujarat is famous all over the country. If you are considering a make-over to home furniture then have a look at some of the furniture works. Besides the magnificently designed cushion covers, quilts, tablemats, and bedcovers are exported to different parts of the world. The designs are simple and attractive. Every artist use different types of colors that make it look all more marvelous. No doubt, this rich tradition makes Gujarat a famous and the most loved State of the country. Every art work reflects the creativity, cultural practices, and love of people towards color and life.

Garments

The garment factories located in Gujarat not only create employment for the people, but earn revenue for the State here. You can buy kurtas, colorful ghaghras, designer cholis, skirts, jackets, and odhanis. All the garments are differently designed through a technique called block print.

Handicrafts

The rich heritage and practices are still retained and followed with pride. Craftsmanship and their work and their techniques are still preserved and taught to the upcoming generations. Every craft and handwork is designed with remarkable colors, which make it extraordinary and eye catching. Some of the works looks are simple, while others are intricate in appearance.

Every woman loves to shop for patola silk, which is exclusively hand woven. There are many industries in Patan, where you can find experienced weavers. Every sari is designed with precision and creativity.

Textiles

The Gujarat textile industry is quite famous all over the world. The designers specialize in manufacturing unique materials, which are transported to different parts of the country. They use different types of raw materials and yarn them creatively.

A Brief Profile

The artists here put in their best efforts in designing any form of crafts. Every piece of art reflects the attitude of people and craftsmanship towards life. Thus every craft and its concept differ from each other. Every craft reveals the individuality of the designers which is connected with religious value.

It is believed that the individuality of the craftsmen and their connectivity with religion has helped in improving their skills immensely. The feeling and knowledge can be seen in every painting, music, art, architecture, and poetry. The religion and its belief have played a key in helping these artists to express their creativity skills. The architecture, painting, music, frescoes, bronze, clay, textile, brass, and printing all manifest their emotions and the sense of creativity. The artists emerge nature, religion, and creativity in designing every stone, bronze, brass, clay wood, and others in a language which impresses every on-looker.

Following are some of the different types of art and craft that are well known among Gujarati people.

Sculpture and Miniature Painting

The Gujarat paintings are quite different and exclusive as compared to other types that are quite often seen. Every picture is beautifully sculptured painting. The outlines, curves, and bright colors make it all more attractive and worth buying.

It has a marvelous grace, something that is not seen even in Roman paintings. The aggressiveness and dialect is marvelous, which makes it quite distinct from others.

The Gujarati school and miniature can be traced back to the 11th century. The Jain patronage has all words of praise for this art. The fine art has great influence of Rajasthan and Rajputhana paintings.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy reveals unique combination of science and creativity. It is a form of art which is passed from the father to his son, and also from the master to his disciple. Such form of art included everything such as preparation of color that was required for painting purposes. Unlike the other paints, this color would never fade and remain fresh for ages together. It is mainly used for wall decorations and other places, and some of the paintings are still there looking fresh.

Music and Art Stage

Gujarati folk music and dances also form a part of its rich tradition. Some of the famous poets and their works existed in the medieval times. The music and songs are still played with passion. Ragas have always been closely connected with the Hindustani music, and are still an important component of Indian classical music. The Gujarati music has great been greatly influenced by Narsingh Mehta and Baiju Bawara. The present day song and folk music still has the same ragas, and is sung passionately by singers. Bhavai is a famous and popular Gujarati folk stage art. Every artist excels in the skill of expressions, and everything and anything they do is worth watching and enjoying. In earlier times this show was performed in the village square, and was used as a medium to convey social messages to the people.

Wood Carving

Wood carvings have always been an integral part of Gujarat art. The design and exclusiveness is unmatchable and is priceless. The culture of using wooden carvings and structure began in 12th century. And since then it has represented the glorious culture of the State.

There are 4 main types of carvings that can be seen in this State. The first one in the list is a beautiful Hindu, where the figure work is exclusive and prominent. The second one is seen in the Muslim house. Here you can see various abstract and geometrical patterns, which makes it distinct from the other forms of the art. The beautiful designs and works that are found in the reception rooms of the merchants are the third one on the list. The last one on the list is from Ahmadabad. There are exclusive carvings that can be seen just above the balcony of quite a few houses. Majority of them have a floral designs and they look quite astonishing.

Stone Carving

Another thing that cannot be missed while in Gujarat is the impressive stone carvings. All the carvings look real and are designed with excellence craftsmanship. It is believed that this culture motivated the development of the existing folk tradition, which represents the true feelings of Gujarat. The marvelous shrines, hero and sati stones, memorial canopies, household stuffs, and architectural fixer are some of them that are worth seeing. The people of Gujarat have still kept the stone carvings works, even today. Some of the important temples and monuments still have the impressive works that attract thousands of people from all over the world.

Meta Work

Copper has been prominent in use in Gujarat since the copper Stone Age. The evidence for the same can be seen in Harappa Civilization, which existed centuries ago here. It shows that people at those times were well versed with the technique of forging, casting, and hammering of both the metals like cooper and bronze.
The rural tradition can be neatly classified into two main types, namely, figurative work and the objects that are used for household purposes. Kansara is a term used for people who design numerous sizes of pots, and pictures. The best thing is the designers use unique metals for designing them.

Pottery

People have been using the pots and pottery items since Harappa civilization. There are many remains found in Lothal. The design since ages has varied from one place to the other. You can still find the difference in their style. Many of the ceramic items are exported to different countries. The artists today, blend modern and contemporary design to make it look unique.

Printing and Embroidery

Bandhani is another hand printed art work that is quite famous here. The best thing is that you can find numerous colors in them, which makes them attractively beautiful. The Bandhani skirts and other materials also come with lots of beads work. The mirror work on them makes it exclusive and remarkable. Different tribal women wear various types of colorful outfits and many of them are hand printed. Cattle breeders, the Maldharis, Bharvads, and the Rabaris are some of the types of tribal groups. The women here wear colorful outfits which are creatively designed. Every woman here is creative and tries unique designs. They prefer something that is uniquely colored and represents their personality and belief in God. It is said that the art here talks the language of the people.

Related Image

home
home
home
home
home
home

Also Browse Following Under This Section

Related Topics

Culture In Gujarat

The state of Gujarat in India is known for its rich culture. The additional effect of modernization which led to vast....

Garba Raas

India is a country of festivals and any festival in the country is incomplete without singing and dancing. Different....

Textile

The textiles and Handicrafts of the state...

Zari

The Zari Industry of Surat has always be...