Arts and crafts in Indian culture
Art and Crafts are entirely human creations; they necessitate human excellence, passion and love to be brought forth. Art and Craft vary in their quality and nature. The arts and crafts movement took shape in late 19th and early 20th century.
Art and craft form an integral part of cultural India. It brings out the true essence of the country. Owing to its vast culture, India produces the most amazing art and craft that we can ever imagine. Indian art and craft is well-known worldwide. Its creative art and craft makes it sought after by numerous. The Indian art and craft makes India an eminent tourist destination. People love to shop in India for the range it provides in art and craft. Every region has it unique creative art and craft. India is a land abundant in raw materials that have lent themselves to the creative hands of the Indian craftsmen. From expensive materials like ivory, gems and marble; to cheaper ones like clay, cane and bamboo and wood, Indian handicrafts have an amazingly captivating beauty.
Indian art and crafts are truly fascinating; it is incredible how ancient practices and traditions have continued since time immemorial. The history of India is a story of continuous traditions that have continued for over 5000 years. For centuries, Indian handicrafts have been distinguished for their aesthetic and functional value.
Some forms of Arts and Crafts were practiced since ancient days while several other are modern innovations. There is one hidden but precious part of Indian art that has remained relatively mysterious and it is wood works. India is second to no other country when it comes to luxuriant range of wood works. The country’s culture places extraordinary emphasis on practice of wood in numerous rituals and festivals.
Karnataka is famed for its sandalwood. This wood is used in carving things like statues of gods and goddesses, utilitarian objects and sandalwood boxes. Similarly other neighbour state like Andhra Pradesh is famous for producing red sandalwood also known as raktachandan. It is used for carving statutes of deities. These are not just standalone examples. States like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and Rajasthan are famous for their glorious wood works.
Some of great art and crafts works Indians are involved like Block Printing, Blue Pottery, Embroidery, Glass Work, Golden Nakkashi, Ornaments & Jewellery, Leatherwork, Metal Work, Jaipur Miniature Paintings, Paper Crafts, Papier Mache, Terracotta, Tribal Arts, Wall Paintings, Woodcarving, Bandhani, Beads, Cane & Bamboo Work, Carpets & Dhurries, Painting, Pottery, Folk Toys (Puppets), Shawls, Textiles, Weaving and Applique Work.
As a part of Indian art and craft, Indian Cuisine is one of the distinctive cuisines in the world. The Indian cuisine is mostly characterised by using various spices, herbs available in the country and categorised as South Indian and North Indian Cuisine. To list more Indian art and crafts, Indian music is another incredible art which has crossed many millions of years. Indian music is very popular and it includes various varieties like pop, folk, classical and more. The classical music includes Carnatic in South and Hindustani in North India.